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In the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, tools and strategies constantly shift and adapt to emerging threats. Yet, among the sea of solutions, two stand out as a dynamic duo that's transforming how organizations approach security: Cloud Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPP) and Application Security Posture Management (ASPM) solutions. 

Imagine them as the cybersecurity equivalent of Deadpool and Wolverine – a pair that, despite their differences, work together with unparalleled effectiveness. The latest Gartner Market Guide for Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms, published July 2024*, sheds light on why CNAPP and ASPM solutions are such an exciting combination: “By having a deep understanding of the provenance of artifacts created in development by multiple developer / development teams, [these solutions] help to identify the person or team responsible for remediating the identified risk and speeding the time to remediate, the tools used in the code pipeline, and the security posture of the code pipeline”—plus provide an intelligent, risk-based approach to application security posture management. Some, like the Dazz Unified Remediation Platform, even automatically deduplicate risk findings from security and risk scanners and prioritize remediation efforts using AI and root cause analysis.

These are three similarities that I see:

1. The power of dual strengths

Deadpool is known for his irreverent humor, unpredictable nature, and nearly indestructible regenerative abilities. He's a wildcard in the superhero universe, blending unconventional tactics with brute force. In contrast, Wolverine is characterized by his fierce resilience, unyielding combat skills, and his iconic adamantium claws. Together, they complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses, creating a formidable team.

In the same vein, CNAPP and ASPM solutions bring complementary strengths to address the full life cycle protection requirements of cloud-native applications and infrastructure from development to production. CNAPPs from companies like Aqua Security, Crowdstrike, Orca, Palo Alto, and Wiz offer comprehensive protection for cloud-native applications, helping to identify vulnerabilities, manage risks, and ensure compliance. They’re like Deadpool, with their ability to handle ever-changing cloud environments with agility and adaptability.

On the flip side, ASPM solutions such as the Dazz Unified Remediation Platform focus on addressing security issues across the entire stack, providing a coordinated response to threats in code, clouds, applications, and infrastructure. This is akin to Wolverine’s precision and relentless pursuit of resolution, tackling issues with a focused and tenacious approach. The synergy between CNAPP’s dynamic cloud security and ASPM solution’s systematic risk response and resolution capabilities creates a robust defense against complex cyber threats.

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2. Addressing different aspects of security to enhance overall security posture

Deadpool and Wolverine each tackle threats from their unique perspectives. Deadpool’s chaotic and unconventional approach contrasts with Wolverine’s methodical and intense style. By amplifying their individual strengths, they become a more effective team overall. Similarly, CNAPP and ASPM solutions address different facets of cybersecurity and enhance an organization's overall security posture. 

CNAPPs specialize in safeguarding cloud environments, detecting vulnerabilities, and managing risk in real-time. Their focus is on securing modern, cloud-native applications, often integrating with various cloud services to provide a comprehensive security posture.

ASPM solutions focus on reducing noise, prioritizing risks, and automating responses to all kinds of alerts and issues across diverse systems. Advanced solutions ensure that once a threat is detected by CNAPPs, a unified and effective remediation process is enacted down to the root causes of the issues. This might involve patching vulnerabilities, implementing new security policies, or coordinating with other security tools to address the issue comprehensively.

By combining the strengths of CNAPP’s cloud-focused protection with ASPM solution’s broad-spectrum response, organizations can cover a wide range of security needs effectively, gain deep visibility into their cloud environments, and address potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. This partnership not only improves the immediate security posture but also contributes to a more resilient and adaptive long-term strategy.

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3. Resilience and adaptability

Deadpool’s regenerative abilities and Wolverine’s adamantium skeleton represent ultimate resilience and adaptability. They endure and evolve, adapting their strategies to confront the ever-changing threats they face. Similarly, CNAPPs and ASPM solutions exhibit resilience and adaptability. CNAPPs continuously update their defenses to address new vulnerabilities in cloud applications, staying ahead of evolving threats. More advanced ASPM solutions adapt their strategies to unify and understand numerous security alerts and issues, ensuring that the organization's response focuses on the most business-critical issues first.

The combination of CNAPP’s proactive security measures and ASPM solution’s intelligent response strategies ensures that your cybersecurity posture remains robust and adaptable to new challenges—and villains.

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Unconventional heroes

Deadpool and Wolverine are unconventional heroes in their own right. They don’t always play by the rules, but their impact is undeniable. In the realm of cybersecurity, CNAPP and ASPM offer unconventional solutions that are crucial for modern security landscapes. With operational responsibilities shifting toward developers and cloud architects, the need for advanced tools to proactively identify and prioritize risks from development to production, while providing developers with rich context, is essential for frictionless collaboration between security and development teams and improving your overall security posture. 

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*Report available to Gartner subscribers