SectionCloud Security
Technology category
CSPM
CSPM belongs to the Cloud Security area. CSPM checks cloud configurations and detects mistakes that may expose data or services. It typically monitors identities, network rules, storage, and compliance baselines.
Acronym Glossary
This glossary explains acronyms used in this part so the intended security function is clear.
- CSPM
- Cloud Security Posture ManagementContinuous assessment of cloud configurations, services, and settings against security and compliance requirements.
What This Technology Covers
CSPM checks cloud configurations and detects mistakes that may expose data or services. It typically monitors identities, network rules, storage, and compliance baselines.
Why It Matters
It delivers the most value in multi-account and multicloud environments where manual configuration review is no longer realistic.
In practice, this is not only a technical function. It is a way to place the solution into a broader security architecture. Many organizations operate dozens of consoles and tools, so the challenge is also to understand which technology solves which type of risk.
This category helps name the problem precisely, narrow the list of relevant solutions, and distinguish technologies that may look similar at first glance. That is useful for partners and customers who already understand cybersecurity but need a clear map of the market and available portfolio.
Typical Use Cases
CSPM is usually considered when an organization needs tighter control over a specific security layer within Cloud Security. It can complement an existing architecture, replace an outdated tool, improve visibility, or consolidate functions currently split across multiple products.
Place In The Architecture
Within the broader Cloud Security architecture, CSPM should be assessed by how it connects to existing security and operational processes. Its practical value appears when the solution provides usable data, clear policies, understandable reporting, and integrations with existing tools.
When mapping this technology to SecTec portfolio vendors, it is important to consider not only the feature itself, but also deployment model, licensing, management level, supported platforms, and integration with adjacent areas. In a specific architecture, CSPM may be a standalone platform, a capability, or part of a broader solution.
How To Assess The Technology
When selecting a solution, the most important assessment points are:
- which problem the solution covers and where its boundaries are
- whether it supports the organization's existing environment
- how it integrates with SIEM, SOAR, XDR, IAM, cloud, or ticketing
- what level of automation, reporting, and auditability it provides
- whether it reduces operational complexity or only adds another isolated console
Related Areas
Vendors From The SecTec Portfolio
Attack coverage and defensive context
MITRE ATT&CK® Enterprise version 19.1 is used as a reference model. The mapping is a SecTec expert interpretation and does not imply endorsement by MITRE.
Practical attack scenarios
- Phishing and identity abuseAn adversary manipulates a user, obtains credentials, or abuses a trusted account to gain access to the environment.
- Cloud and SaaS compromiseAn adversary abuses cloud identities, permissions, configurations, or application integrations to access services and data.
- Ransomware and availability impactAn adversary encrypts or manipulates data, stops services, inhibits recovery, and creates operational impact.
- Supply chain and trusted accessAn adversary abuses a supplier, software dependency, external access path, or trusted relationship to bypass normal controls.
- Reconnaissance and attack surface mappingAn adversary collects information about people, systems, cloud services, and internet-facing infrastructure and searches for a viable initial-access path.
- Business Email Compromise and mailbox takeoverAn adversary takes over or impersonates a trusted email identity and abuses communications for fraud, payment diversion, data collection, or further phishing.
- Privilege escalation and persistenceAn adversary expands privileges, creates or modifies accounts and policies, and establishes repeatable access to systems, identities, or cloud environments.
- Insider threat and authorized access abuseAn insider or an adversary with a valid account abuses legitimate permissions to discover, copy, manipulate, or transfer sensitive data.
Relevant ATT&CK techniques
- T1078 · Valid AccountsDetect, Prevent, Validate
- T1098 · Account ManipulationDetect, Prevent, Validate
- T1484 · Domain or Tenant Policy ModificationDetect, Prevent, Validate
- T1578 · Modify Cloud Compute InfrastructureDetect, Prevent, Validate
- T1580 · Cloud Infrastructure DiscoveryDetect, Prevent, Validate
- T1685 · Disable or Modify ToolsDetect, Prevent, Validate