What Is Cloud Security Posture Management?

• Azure Defender Cloud Security Posture Management tools can help secure cloud resources.
• Unlike the initial Azure Foundational CSPM tools, Defender CSPM tools are not free.
• They are also largely limited to managing Azure compute, storage, and database offerings.
• The free, limited tier of Azure Foundational CSPM remains but is unlikely to receive significant updates.

Azure Defender offers a collection of paid and free tools intended to help organizations secure their cloud resources across Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud. While the previous free collection of cloud security posture management (CSPM) tools remains, Microsoft’s focus is on the paid tools that Azure Defender CSPM now offers. While these tools are powerful, to use them effectively, organizations will need domain expertise in posture management or the budget to hire a partner skilled in security tooling. Organizations will also need to monitor their use to avoid excess charges.