Cloud Workload Protection: How It Works & Key Benefits

How does your organization work with the cloud? Do you have an on-site solution or perhaps a private, public or hybrid cloud solution for your organization’s workload? Regardless of how you use the cloud or the type of cloud you utilize, it is imperative that it remains protected. Cloud workloads are an essential technology used by businesses to create, collaborate, solve problems, and get work done from just about anywhere. Unfortunately, a byproduct of cloud workload, according to our trusted vendor Sophos, “is the increased attack surface, opening your organization up to data breaches, unsanctioned access to your most sensitive systems and applications, and even interruption of services.” That’s where Cloud Workload Protection Platform (CWPP) comes into play. Let’s explore what it is and how it could benefit your organization’s cybersecurity.

What is Cloud Workload Protection Platform (CWPP)?

Before we discuss what a CWPP is, let’s define what a cloud workload is to begin with. A cloud workload is a collection of processes and resources that a cloud-based application, service, or capability needs to operate correctly. Examples of this would include databases, web servers, serverless functions, virtual machines (VMs), and containers. Since these components are vital to any business, it is necessary to protect them from data breaches or malicious actions. A CWPP is a comprehensive security solution designed for safeguarding those workloads, such as resources, data, applications and processes, whether it is located in a cloud, hybrid cloud or multicloud environment.

How It Works

There are several components to CWPP that help make it a robust security solution.

Increased Visibility

One of the most essential components of CWPP is visibility. With the increased visibility CWPP allows, security teams can closely examine activities, identify abnormalities, and take preemptive actions against threats with surgical precision.

Continuous Monitoring & Runtime Protection

CWPP provides continuous threat monitoring across different cloud environments. Runtime protection provides real-time threat detection and prevention against attacks as they happen on running workloads, such as virtual machines, containers, and serverless functions. It uses techniques like behavioral analysis, machine learning, and threat intelligence to identify and stop threats like malware, zero-day exploits, and unauthorized activity, employing automated responses to isolate threats or shut down suspicious processes.

Workload Segmentation

To contain the lateral movement of hackers, workloads are divided into smaller segments, making it easier to monitor and secure them. Additionally, the use of workload segmentation can prevent cyber threats from traveling through your cloud network, even if one of your workload segments has been compromised.

Why is Cloud Workload Protection Important?

With the increased frequency and volume of cyber attacks, including ransomware and malware, it has become more important than ever to have ongoing security for your cloud environments. Real-time and behavioral monitoring as well as increased visibility allows for cyber threats to be identified and stopped quickly. Do you need more information about Sophos CWPP options? Contact us at 978.219.9752, fill out our contact form or drop by and see us at our office on Pulaski Street in Peabody, MA.