The Great Cloud Migration started in the early 2010s, and now a significant amount of the world’s infrastructure involves cloud instances, making it one of the most vital components of IT that must be secured. Enter Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPPs) and CNAPP vendors, an all-in-one solution designed to secure applications, workloads, and data in complex, multi-cloud environments.
If you’re looking to choose the best CNAPP tool for your organization, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll break down what CNAPPs are, why they matter, and the top cloud CNAPP tools you should be considering in 2025.
What is a CNAPP?
A Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) is a security solution that integrates multiple cloud security functions into one platform. Instead of buying separate tools for cloud posture management, workload protection, entitlement management, and data security, CNAPPs deliver everything under one roof.
Core Features of CNAPPs:
- Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM): Continuously monitors cloud configurations for risks and misconfigurations.
- Cloud Workload Protection Platform (CWPP): Protects workloads like containers, VMs, and serverless functions.
- Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM): Secures cloud identities and enforces least privilege access.
- Data Security Posture Management (DSPM): Protects sensitive data stored in the cloud.
- DevSecOps Integration: Embeds security into CI/CD pipelines for proactive risk mitigation.
Why do you Need CNAPP?
Today’s cloud environments are dynamic and complex. And the worst part is, more than 80% of security breaches involve cloud misconfigurations, according to IBM’s Cost of Data Breach Report. So, the importance of cloud security tools can’t be overstated. Further, with threats evolving rapidly and cyberattackers getting smarter, relying on fragmented security tools is risky and inefficient. CNAPPs offer a holistic, unified approach, helping organizations minimize blind spots, reduce operational overhead, and ensure continuous compliance.
Top CNAPP Vendors in 2025
Let’s dive into the most powerful and innovative CNAPP solutions and CNAPP vendors dominating the market this year:
1. SecPod Saner CNAPP
Saner CNAPP is a new entrant to the CNAPP market space, bringing in some revolutionary new features and getting the basics right. It integrates CSPM, CIEM, CSAE, CSPA, CWPP, and CSRM into one solution that delivers AI-driven monitoring, analysis, and remediation for workload, identity, and risk management.
Key Strengths:
- Natively integrated, unified, and automatable cloud security
- Integrated compliance and remediation engine
2. Wiz
Wiz has rapidly become a leader in the CNAPP space with its agentless scanning and Security Graph technology. It offers deep visibility into cloud risks without disrupting operations. Wiz excels at contextual risk prioritization, helping teams focus on the most critical vulnerabilities.
Key strengths:
- Seamless multi-cloud coverage
- Strong compliance support (SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS)
3. Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Microsoft’s CNAPP solution offers excellent coverage for multi-cloud and hybrid environments. It stands out with its integrated threat detection and incident response capabilities, making it a strong choice for enterprises already invested in Microsoft Azure and beyond.
Key strengths:
- Deep integration with Microsoft ecosystem
- Robust compliance management
4. Orca Security
Orca’s side-scanning technology eliminates the need for agents while providing full-stack visibility. Its attack path analysis shows how vulnerabilities could be exploited in real-world scenarios, which is invaluable for prioritization.
Key strengths:
- Sensitive data discovery
- Lightweight deployment
5. Check Point CloudGuard
CloudGuard is another CNAPP vendor that offers unified security across applications, networks, and workloads. With AI-driven threat prevention and comprehensive compliance enforcement, it’s a go-to for businesses needing layered defenses.
Key strengths:
- Threat intelligence capabilities
- Centralized security management
6. SentinelOne Singularity Cloud Security
SentinelOne brings its AI-powered threat detection expertise to cloud workloads. The platform ensures runtime protection and integrates with existing SIEM and SOAR tools for fast incident response.
Key strengths:
- Identity protection and visibility
- Strong EDR and cloud security synergy
7. Sysdig Secure
Designed for containerized and Kubernetes environments, Sysdig Secure focuses on runtime security and deep incident investigation capabilities. It’s a favorite among DevOps teams for its native Kubernetes insights.
Key strengths:
- Continuous compliance
- Runtime threat detection
8. CrowdStrike Falcon Cloud Security
CrowdStrike’s platform emphasizes identity-centric security, helping prevent breaches before they happen. It continuously monitors cloud activity and enforces least-privilege policies effectively.
Key strengths:
- Exceptional endpoint-cloud integration
- Identity threat detection and response (ITDR)
9. Palo Alto Prisma Cloud
Prisma Cloud is a full-suite CNAPP solution offering vulnerability management, runtime protection, and code security features. It covers applications across all stages of the development lifecycle.
Key strengths:
- DevSecOps focus
- Extensive multi-cloud support
10. Aqua Security
A pioneer in container and cloud-native security, Aqua Security offers strong runtime protection and compliance checks for cloud apps, Kubernetes environments, and serverless architectures.
Key strengths:
- Cloud-native focus
- Deep CI/CD security integration
How to Choose the Right CNAPP Vendor
Securing your cloud infrastructure can be difficult, and with so many tools to choose from, it can get even harder. Here are five of the most important points you must keep in mind while choosing the best CNAPP for your organization:
- Cloud Compatibility: Does it support AWS, Azure, GCP, and hybrid environments?
- Compliance Requirements: Can it handle your industry’s regulatory needs?
- Integration Needs: Will it fit into your DevOps, SIEM, and IAM systems?
- Scalability and Pricing: Does it grow with your cloud environment and budget?
- Effectiveness: Does it actually work and reduce your attack surface and prevent cyberattacks
Always consider starting with a demo or free trial to validate fit before committing.
Conclusion
Cloud-native security is no longer optional. As threats grow more sophisticated, CNAPPs offer a unified, efficient way to secure your workloads, identities, and data. Whether you’re a fast-scaling startup or a global enterprise, there’s a CNAPP tool tailored for your needs.
By choosing the right solution, you can stay ahead of risks and ensure your cloud journey remains secure and resilient.
