GigaOm Radar for Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPPs)v1.0

1. Executive Summary

Cloud-native application protection platforms (CNAPPs) are a blend of technologies that address the complex security challenges of modern cloud-native environments. CNAPP combines multiple security tools and capabilities into a unified platform, providing comprehensive protection throughout the lifecycle of cloud-native applications.

CNAPP is crucial for organizations employing cloud technologies and adopting digital transformation initiatives. It offers a holistic approach to securing cloud-native applications, infrastructure, and data across multicloud and some hybrid environments. By integrating various security functions, CNAPP provides unified visibility, control, and risk management, enabling organizations to reduce security risks, maintain compliance, and optimize operational efficiency.

CNAPP solutions are particularly relevant to CISOs and security teams responsible for protecting cloud assets, DevOps and application development teams focusing on secure software delivery, and compliance officers managing regulatory requirements in cloud environments.

From a CxO perspective, CNAPP addresses several critical business imperatives. It safeguards cloud investments and digital transformation initiatives, ensuring that organizations can innovate and scale securely. By consolidating multiple security tools, CNAPP improves operational efficiency and reduces costs associated with managing disparate solutions. It can streamline regulatory compliance and risk management capabilities through unifying reporting functions, crucial for maintaining customer trust and avoiding costly data breaches or compliance violations.

CNAPP is evolving rapidly, driven by the increasing complexity of cloud-native architectures and the need for more integrated security approaches. Because the technology is a blend of many popular security solutions, most CNAPP solutions began as platforms and continue to add more features, broadening their appeal. Large language models (LLMs) and machine learning (ML) are being incorporated to enhance threat detection and automate security responses.

As cloud adoption continues to accelerate, CNAPP will play an increasingly vital role in helping organizations secure their cloud-native applications and infrastructure. By providing a unified approach to cloud security, CNAPP enables businesses to innovate with confidence, maintain compliance, and protect their critical assets in the ever-evolving cloud landscape.

This is our first year evaluating the CNAPP space in the context of our Key Criteria and Radar reports.

This GigaOm Radar report examines 17 of the top CNAPP solutions and compares offerings against the capabilities (table stakes, key features, and emerging features) and nonfunctional requirements (business criteria) outlined in the companion Key Criteria report. Together, these reports provide an overview of the market, identify leading CNAPP offerings, and help decision-makers evaluate these solutions so they can make a more informed investment decision.