What do Uber, Facebook, and Equifax have in common? Among other things, all three companies have faced a data breach in the past. In fact, in 2023, there were 3205 data compromises in the U.S, while in 2024, it reduced a bit to 3158.
The increasing complexity of cloud architectures, poor access management, insecure API, and other inadequacies are making the cloud environment increasingly vulnerable for companies.
Thanks to cloud security companies, which offer a suite of tools and services that enable companies to secure their cloud environments and defend their data against looming threats.
Here are the top 10 cloud security companies to strengthen your security measures.
Cloud Security Companies
1. Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks dominates the cloud security landscape with its Prisma Cloud platform. The company recently introduced Precision AI to further improve cloud security for companies. Their acquisition strategy has strengthened their cloud-native security capabilities, incorporating technologies from RedLock, Evident.io, and Twistlock. Its major features include:
- Cloud workload protection
- Cloud security posture management
- Cloud network security
- Container security
- Infrastructure as Code security scanning
2. CrowdStrike
CrowdStrike’s Falcon platform provides comprehensive cloud security. The platform ensures protection from code to the cloud environment. Their cloud-native architecture and AI-driven approach have established them as a market leader in cloud endpoint security. Standout features of the platform include:
- Cloud workload protection
- Container security
- Cloud security posture management
- Threat intelligence integration
- Identity protection
3. Zscaler
Zscaler pioneered the Security Service Edge (SSE) approach. It offers cloud security enabled with a Zero Trust network. The platform for the cloud secures workloads and reduces the surface for attack, preventing lateral threat movements. Prominent features of the platform include:
- Zero-trust network access
- Cloud access security broker (CASB)
- Secure web gateway
- Data loss prevention
- Cloud firewall services
4. Wiz
Wiz is ranked #1 security cloud on G2, has nearly 45% of Fortune 100 companies as customers. It is a leading platform for cloud security, protecting the cloud from code to runtime. Their agentless approach and rapid deployment capabilities have gained significant market traction. It has rapidly emerged as a cloud security innovator focusing on:
- Cloud infrastructure security
- Vulnerability assessment
- Configuration monitoring
- Risk assessment
- Compliance management
5. Orca Security
Headquartered in Portland, United States, Orca Security provides agentless cloud security to companies. A pioneer in agentless security, it offers a comprehensive platform to overcome challenges for businesses by addressing alert fatigue, incorporating separate checkpoint solutions for each layer of the tech stack, and better risk remediation. Their SideScanning technology enables comprehensive visibility without performance impact. Its features include:
- Asset discovery and inventory
- Vulnerability management
- Configuration assessment
- Malware detection
- Compliance monitoring
6. Lacework
Lacework (now Fortinet Lacework) recently introduced Fortinet CNAAP, which empowers developers to fix risks in code before they are put into production using software composition analysis. It streamlines compliance reporting, making it easier for security teams to protect the cloud conveniently. Furthermore, Lacework leverages machine learning for cloud security. Its prominent features include:
- Anomaly detection
- Configuration monitoring
- Compliance automation
- Container security
- Cloud workload protection
7. Snyk
Snyk focuses on developer-first security. When developers write code, it comes with its own set of risks. Snyk enables developers and teams to reduce those risks, including open-source vulnerabilities and first-party code. Major features of the tool include:
- Application security testing
- Container security
- Infrastructure as Code security
- Software composition analysis
- License compliance monitoring
8. Aqua Security
Aqua Security specializes in cloud-native security. From code to runtime to postures, its CNAPP platform ensures total security for cloud-native applications. So, teams can ensure security throughout an application’s lifecycle.
- Container security
- Kubernetes security
- Serverless security
- Supply chain security
- Cloud security posture management
9. Qualys
The enterprise cyber risk and security platform offers cloud security as part of its offerings. It offers end-to-end risk management for multi-cloud users via TotalCloud (CNAPP), Kubernetes and container security (KCS), Cloud workload protection (CWP), and other services. Some of the salient features of Qualys include:
- Vulnerability management
- Asset management
- Container security
- Web Application Scanning (WAS)
10. NetSkope
NetSkope is a leading globally recognized Security Service Edge (SSE) provider. It unifies multiple security capabilities, such as Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Cloud Firewall, Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Private Access (ZTNA), etc., into a single solution to help businesses benefit from their Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) architecture. Other Key features offered by Netskope are:
- Remote Browser Isolation (RBI)
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
- Data Security Posture Management (DSPM)
- Threat protection
Market trends and innovations in cloud security
Cloud architectures are becoming increasingly complex, which is making cloud environments vulnerable to more risks. To keep up with the demand for increased security, cloud security is evolving too, and innovations are taking place.
Let’s look at a few emerging cloud security trends in the industry.
1. Cloud-Native Security Platforms
Companies today are building flexible, scalable, and resilient applications that can be updated and delivered fast. Cloud-native applications make that possible. To secure cloud-native applications, cloud-native security platforms are emerging and evolving to ensure the security of cloud-native applications. The industry is moving toward integrated platforms that provide:
- Unified security controls across multiple cloud providers
- Native integration with DevOps tools
- Automated remediation capabilities
- Real-time threat detection and response
- Compliance automation
2. Zero Trust Architecture
The premise of Zero Trust Architecture is that nobody, inside or outside an organization, can be trusted when it comes to data protection. Everybody is as unreliable as a stranger. So, security measures have to be such that they ensure top-notch security. To do so, cloud security providers are incorporating zero trust principles via:
- Identity-based access control
- Micro-segmentation
- Continuous verification
- Least privileged access
- Risk-based authentication
- AI and Machine Learning Integration
AI systems are transforming modern cloud security through their ability to analyze data, detect threats, and respond to attacks autonomously. By leveraging machine learning algorithms and pattern analysis, security platforms can now evolve and strengthen their defenses automatically as they encounter new types of threats, reducing the need for manual security monitoring and updates.
Final thoughts
The cloud security landscape has become increasingly critical due to the rising number of data breaches and the growing complexity of cloud architectures. New innovative solutions are popping up.
Top cloud security companies such as Palo Alto Networks, CrowdStrike, and Zscaler offer comprehensive solutions that protect cloud environments through advanced technologies like AI-driven threat detection, Zero Trust network access, and agentless security platforms.
These companies provide a wide range of features, including cloud workload protection, vulnerability management, container security, and compliance monitoring to help organizations defend against evolving cyber threats.
Related: The Future of Cybersecurity in a Cloud-First World
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