Glossary term
CSPM
Also: Cloud Security Posture Management
Software category for continuous review of cloud configurations against security benchmarks (CIS, NIST, BSI cloud requirements). Finds misconfigurations like open S3 buckets, missing encryption, insecure IAM policies.
Operation: API pull from AWS, Azure, GCP, OCI; continuous comparison against hundreds of rules. Output: prioritised findings with asset context, ownership, remediation guidance.
Stand-alone leaders: Wiz, Lacework, Palo Alto Prisma Cloud. Platform vendors: Microsoft Defender for Cloud, AWS Security Hub, Google Security Command Center. In the enterprise often complemented by CWPP and CIEM.
In practice
Audit cases: NIS2 Art. 21 (e) (secure procurement and maintenance) and DORA Art. 9 (ICT security measures) require continuous configuration management. CSPM is the typical answer for cloud workloads.
Related terms
CWPP
Software category for protecting cloud workloads (VMs, containers, serverless) at runtime. Combines vulnerability scanning, config review, runtime monitoring, container and K8s security.
CNAPP
Gartner platform category that combines CSPM, CWPP, CIEM, KSPM, DSPM and IaC scanning into one tool. Answer to tool fragmentation in cloud security stacks.
SSPM
Software category for reviewing SaaS configurations (Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Google Workspace, Slack, GitHub). Finds over-privileged apps, weak sharing settings, MFA gaps, external data flows.
CASB
Security layer between users and SaaS providing visibility (shadow IT discovery), data protection (DLP), compliance, and threat protection across SaaS apps. Four functions per Gartner: visibility, compliance, data security, threat protection.
Compliance mapping
The explicit link between a decision (vendor, architecture, control) and the specific regulatory articles, controls or standards it satisfies. Without compliance mapping, a memo cannot be defended under audit against a named clause.
Confidential Computing
Hardware-based isolation that keeps data encrypted during processing (data-in-use). Complements encryption at rest and in transit. Technologies: Intel SGX, Intel TDX, AMD SEV-SNP, ARM CCA, Nvidia H100 Confidential Computing.
Critical ICT Third-Party Provider (CTPP)
ICT third-party provider designated critical by the European Commission under DORA Art. 31, falling under direct supervision of one of the three European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA, ESMA). First CTPP designations expected in 2025/2026.
CVE
Global identifier for publicly known security vulnerabilities in software and hardware. Format CVE-YYYY-NNNN, run by MITRE on behalf of CISA. More than 200,000 CVEs as of 2025.