Microsoft Defender for Cloud named a Leader in Frost Radar™ for CNAPP for the second year in a row!
In the ever-evolving landscape of cloud security, Microsoft continues to assert its dominance with its comprehensive and innovative solutions. The Frost Radar™: Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms, 2024 report underscores Microsoft’s leadership in both – the innovation and growth index, highlighting several key strengths that set it apart from the competition.
Frost and Sullivan states in its report, “With significant investments in cloud security, a strong partner network, and strategic positioning as a multicloud security provider, Microsoft has a solid foundation for sustained growth in the next few years to maintain its lead in the cloud security industry as competition increases.”
Figure 1. Frost RadarTM: Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms 2024 showing Microsoft as a leader.
Unified and Comprehensive Security
The report highlights that Microsoft’s Defender for Cloud stands out as a unified Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) that integrates a broad range of security functionalities to protect both cloud and hybrid environments. Defender for Cloud includes workload security, Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM), Infrastructure as Code (IaC) security, Data Security Posture Management, DevOps security with CI/CD pipeline hardening, AI-driven Security Posture Management (SPM), and Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM) through Microsoft Entra Permissions Management. This extensive range of capabilities ensures end-to-end visibility and protection for cloud-native applications, making it a robust choice for organizations of all sizes.
Seamless Platform Integration and Advanced Threat Protection
The report also recognizes that one of Microsoft’s significant advantages is its ability to leverage its extensive ecosystem to provide seamless integration and advanced threat protection. Defender for Cloud integrates effortlessly with tools like Visual Studio, GitHub, and Azure DevOps during the development phase, embedding security early in the lifecycle. In production, it works with Microsoft Defender XDR, Microsoft Security Exposure Management, and Security Copilot to deliver advanced threat protection, reduce attack surfaces, and continuously monitor security posture across multi-cloud and hybrid environments. This holistic approach ensures that security is not an afterthought but a fundamental aspect of the entire development and deployment process.
Data-Aware Security and Multicloud Support
According to Frost, Microsoft excels in data-aware security, offering granular visibility into sensitive assets with advanced data classification and monitoring through Microsoft Purview integration with Defender for Cloud. This capability is crucial for organizations that need to manage and protect sensitive data across various cloud environments. Additionally, Defender for Cloud supports a wide range of workloads, including Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud, using both agent-based and agentless scanning. This multicloud support is a testament to Microsoft’s commitment to providing flexible and comprehensive security solutions that cater to diverse customer needs.
Market Leadership and Robust Growth
Frost & Sullivan’s report praises Microsoft’s strategic positioning as a security player, enabling it to dominate the CNAPP market. The report highlights that Microsoft has been the largest player in the market over the last four years, with a projected revenue growth of 32.5% in 2024, capturing a dominant market share of 24.7%. This impressive growth is driven by its massive customer base from its Azure business and its extensive network of over 15,000 security partners, GSIs, MSSPs, and a thriving independent software vendor community. Microsoft’s ability to leverage its vast ecosystem and strategic partnerships has solidified its leadership position and set the stage for sustained growth in the coming years.
Innovation, Gen AI and Future Prospects
The Frost report also noted that Microsoft’s commitment to innovation is evident in its continuous enhancement of Defender for Cloud’s capabilities. The platform’s integration with advanced AI and machine learning technologies, such as Microsoft Security Copilot provides organizations with real-time threat detection and response capabilities. This focus on innovation ensures that Microsoft remains at the forefront of cloud security, addressing emerging threats and evolving customer needs.
In conclusion, Microsoft’s Defender for Cloud exemplifies the company’s strengths in providing a unified, comprehensive, and innovative security solution for cloud-native applications. Its seamless integration, advanced threat protection, data-aware security, and robust market presence make it a leader in the CNAPP space. As organizations continue to navigate the complexities of cloud security, Microsoft’s solutions offer the reliability and advanced capabilities needed to protect their digital assets effectively.
To learn more about Defender for Cloud:
- Check out our cloud security solution page.
- Learn how you can unlock business value with Defender for Cloud.
- See it in action with a cloud detection and response use-case.
- Start a free trial.
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Source: Microsoft Security