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Glossary term

CWPP

Also: Cloud Workload Protection Platform

Software category for protecting cloud workloads (VMs, containers, serverless) at runtime. Combines vulnerability scanning, config review, runtime monitoring, container and K8s security.

Functions: image scanning before deployment, runtime protection (eBPF-based), microsegmentation, compliance checks, K8s posture. CWPP differs from CSPM by workload depth (inside the VM, inside the container).

Market leaders: Wiz, Palo Alto Prisma Cloud, CrowdStrike Falcon Cloud Security, Sysdig Secure, Aqua Security. Platform vendors are increasingly bundling CWPP into CNAPP.

Trend 2026: CSPM, CWPP, CIEM, KSPM and DSPM are converging into CNAPP. Stand-alone CWPP tools are being displaced by consolidated platforms.

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