CSPM vs Native Cloud Security Tools
Should you use AWS Security Hub, Azure Defender, and GCP Security Command Center? Or invest in third-party CSPM like Wiz and Orca? Here's an honest comparison.
Native Cloud Security Tools
What Native Tools Offer
Each cloud provider offers built-in security tools:
- AWS Security Hub - Aggregates findings from GuardDuty, Inspector, Macie, and partner tools
- Microsoft Defender for Cloud - Security posture and workload protection for Azure
- GCP Security Command Center - Threat detection and posture management for Google Cloud
Native Tool Strengths
- Deep integration with the provider's services
- Often included or low cost
- No additional vendor relationship
- Updated automatically with new cloud services
Native Tool Limitations
- Single-cloud visibility only
- Less sophisticated attack path analysis
- Require significant expertise to configure effectively
- Generate alert volume without prioritization
Third-Party CSPM Platforms
What Third-Party CSPM Offers
Enterprise CSPM platforms like Wiz and Orca provide comprehensive cloud security:
- Multi-cloud visibility - Unified view across AWS, Azure, GCP
- Attack path analysis - Understand how vulnerabilities chain together
- Agentless scanning - Complete workload visibility without agents
- Unified policies - Consistent rules across all cloud providers
Third-Party Strengths
- Multi-cloud visibility in a single pane
- More sophisticated detection and analysis
- Better attack surface visibility
- Vendor-neutral compliance reporting
Third-Party Limitations
- Additional cost
- Another vendor relationship to manage
- Requires expertise to operate effectively
- Can generate overwhelming alert volume
Capability Comparison
| Capability | Native Tools | Third-Party CSPM |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-cloud visibility | No (single cloud) | Yes |
| Attack path analysis | Basic | Advanced |
| Agentless workload scanning | Partial | Comprehensive |
| Container security | Basic | Deep |
| IaC scanning | Limited | Comprehensive |
| Secrets detection | Basic | Advanced |
| Provider integration | Deep | Good |
| Cost | Low/included | Higher |
Recommendations
When Native Tools Make Sense
- Single-cloud environment with no multi-cloud plans
- Limited budget and simple cloud architecture
- Internal expertise to configure and tune native tools
- Basic compliance requirements
When Third-Party CSPM Makes Sense
- Multi-cloud or hybrid cloud environments
- Complex architectures with containers and serverless
- Need for attack path analysis and advanced detection
- Compliance requirements across multiple frameworks
- Desire for unified security visibility
The Managed Services Option
Both native tools and third-party CSPM require expertise to operate effectively. Managed services add the human interpretation layer that turns any tool's output into actionable security improvements. We can help you get value from native tools or enterprise platforms.
Need Help Deciding?
We can evaluate your environment and recommend the right approach - native tools, third-party CSPM, or managed services.
Common Questions
Can I use native tools and third-party CSPM together?
Yes, many organizations do. Third-party CSPM provides the unified multi-cloud view and advanced analysis, while native tools provide deep integration for specific use cases. The key is avoiding duplicate alerts and ensuring findings are consolidated.
Is third-party CSPM worth the cost?
It depends on your environment complexity. For multi-cloud deployments, complex architectures, or organizations needing advanced attack path analysis, third-party CSPM provides capabilities native tools can't match. For simple single-cloud environments, native tools may be sufficient.
Which third-party CSPM is best?
Wiz and Orca are the current leaders for comprehensive cloud security. Both provide excellent multi-cloud visibility, agentless scanning, and attack path analysis. The best choice depends on your specific environment and integration requirements.
How do I get started evaluating options?
Start by documenting your cloud environment (which providers, how many accounts, key workload types) and your requirements (compliance frameworks, multi-cloud needs, team expertise). This helps determine whether native tools, third-party CSPM, or managed services fit best.
Do I need dedicated staff for either option?
Both options generate findings that require expertise to interpret and act on. Native tools often require more configuration expertise, while third-party CSPM requires expertise in prioritization and remediation. Managed services provide this expertise without dedicated hiring.
Get Expert Cloud Security Regardless of Platform
We provide managed services for both native tools and third-party CSPM platforms.