Cloud Native Security: Balancing Consolidation and Flexibility

As organizations of all sizes continue to adopt cloud technologies, the importance of Cloud Native Security (CNS) has grown. CNS is designed to protect applications running in cloud environments, addressing the unique challenges they present. With options beyond standalone point solutions now available, it’s essential to weigh the benefits and potential drawbacks, particularly when considering consolidation strategies. 

Cloud Native Security is made up of several key components: 

• Cloud Workload Security (CWS): Focuses on protecting workloads, from the operating systems to containers. 

• Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) & Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM): Help prevent security issues by maintaining secure configurations and managing access.  

• Cloud Detection and Response (CDR): Provides capabilities for detecting and responding to threats in cloud environments. 

Initially, vendors introduced point solutions to address specific, niche cloud security challenges. As CNS has matured, more comprehensive solutions have emerged, combining multiple capabilities into unified platforms. This evolution makes it possible for organizations to achieve robust cloud security outcomes without relying on a large collection of individual tools. 

The Role of Consolidation in CNS 

When evaluating CNS solutions, it’s important to understand how consolidation fits into your security strategy. Consolidation brings both advantages and challenges. 

Advantages of Consolidation 

• Simplification: Avoid tool sprawl, gain consistent policies, and improve visibility across cloud environments. 

• Faster Incident Response: Correlate events across tools within the same platform, streamlining alerts, management, and reporting. 

• Cost Savings: Reduce reliance on external tools (like SIEMs) and simplify the implementation and maintenance of integrations and automation. 

Drawbacks of Consolidation 

• Switching Costs: Transitioning to a consolidated solution may require replacing existing tools that are working well for specific functions. 

• Reduced Flexibility: Larger organizations with complex use cases may need highly specialized solutions that consolidated platforms don’t always provide. 

• Fewer Features: Consolidated tools may lack advanced capabilities tailored to niche requirements, which are often available in specialized point solutions. 

Finding the Right Balance 

Most organizations will fall somewhere between using point solutions for every component of CNS and fully consolidating into a single platform. Here’s how to evaluate what works best for your organization: 

• Focus on Use Cases: Identify the security outcomes you need, rather than starting with a checklist of features. 
• Assess Current Tools: Understand how your tools are managed today—whether through a Security Operations Center (SOC), a SIEM, or other platforms for data correlation and analysis. 
• Define Your Scope: Consider your operating environments, such as the mix of Windows and Linux, server vs. endpoint protection, and whether cloud security will be managed separately from on-premises environments. 

Broader Consolidation Trends 

Cloud Native Security isn’t the only area of consolidation. For example, while Cloud Detection and Response (CDR) is valuable on its own, it should also integrate with existing Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) or Extended Detection and Response (XDR) solutions. As security strategies evolve, the lines between on-premises and cloud security are blurring, creating opportunities to unify these approaches. 

The Bottom Line 

Consolidation within CNS is advancing, offering more comprehensive solutions that meet the needs of cloud-first organizations. As cloud adoption becomes standard, the demand for tools that unify on-premises and cloud security is driving innovation. The key is finding the right balance between expanding your security posture with point solutions where needed and adopting consolidated platforms to simplify and enhance your overall strategy.

To learn more about this topic, check out our recent webinar that dives into the discussion.