Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) for Multi-Cloud Security

Cloud environments aren’t getting any simpler. Networks are sprawling, configurations are multiplying, and keeping everything secure and compliant? That’s a full-time job.

You need security that works—reliably, consistently, across AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Kubernetes. That means tight configurations, automated compliance, and complete visibility into your cloud security posture.

And that’s exactly what Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) is designed for.

The Challenge of Multi-Cloud Security

Managing security across multiple cloud providers isn’t just about securing one system—it’s about securing many, each with its own rules, configurations, and quirks.

Take cloud permissions, for example. AWS supports 15,000+ IAM actions, Azure has nearly 19,000, and GCP a bit over 10,000. And those are just the actions—you’re also dealing with different default settings, networking rules, and compliance standards.

Then there’s compliance.

If your business operates globally, you’re navigating GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, ISO 27001, and a dozen other frameworks—all while ensuring your cloud environments aren’t riddled with misconfigurations.

And let’s be real: misconfigurations are the leading cause of cloud security incidents.

As cryptologist Bruce Schneier said, “People are the weakest link in information security.”

But it’s not just a people problem. Cloud security is complex by design, and complexity creates risk.

Common Multi-Cloud Security Risks

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, or so the old saying goes. 

Several key security risks consistently emerge when operating across multiple cloud environments. If you know what to look for and what may present a problem in the future, you’ll be better equipped to recognize and resolve these issues. 

Identity and Access Management Complexity

Managing identities across AWS, Azure, and GCP creates significant complexity. 

Each platform has its own IAM system with unique permissions models, making it difficult to implement consistent access controls and increasing the risk of privilege escalation.

Configuration Drift

Cloud environments are dynamic, with resources constantly being created, modified, and decommissioned. 

Configurations can drift from secure baselines without proper monitoring, creating new vulnerabilities over time.

Shadow IT Proliferation

Multi-cloud environments make it easier for departments to spin up unauthorized cloud resources. 

These “shadow IT” deployments often bypass security controls and compliance checks, expanding your attack surface.

Data Governance Challenges

It is challenging to maintain consistent data protection policies across different cloud storage services. 

Each provider offers different encryption options, access controls, and data residency capabilities that must be harmonized to meet compliance requirements.

Visibility Gaps

Most critically, security teams often lack comprehensive visibility across all cloud environments, making identifying vulnerabilities and responding to threats difficult.

How CSPM Helps Secure Multi-Cloud Environments

Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) tools give security teams the automation and visibility they need to manage risk across cloud environments.

A CSPM solution should:
✅ Continuously monitor your cloud environments for security misconfigurations.
✅ Automate compliance checks for CIS, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and more.
✅ Provide centralized visibility across AWS, Azure, GCP, and Kubernetes.
✅ Enforce role-based access and governance policies.

Prowler: Open-Source CSPM for Multi-Cloud Security

Prowler was built to do exactly this.

“I built Prowler as an open-source tool to audit AWS environments for misconfigurations. It started as a side project, but quickly grew into something much bigger—other engineers started using it, suggesting features, and contributing code. Now, it’s a full-fledged open-source security platform for AWS, Azure, GCP, and Kubernetes.”
– Toni de la Fuente, CEO of Prowler

With Prowler, security teams get an automated, scalable, and open-source CSPM solution that works across AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Kubernetes—without the vendor lock-in or enterprise price tag.

Key Benefits of Prowler for CSPM

🔹 Multi-Cloud Security Coverage – Unifies security across AWS, Azure, GCP, and Kubernetes.
🔹 Automated Compliance Checks – CIS benchmarks, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and more.
🔹 Early Detection of Misconfigurations – Flags security gaps before they become incidents.
🔹 Centralized Visibility – One dashboard for monitoring all cloud environments.
🔹 Role-Based Access Controls (RBAC) – Helps enforce least privilege policies.
🔹 Rapid Incident Response – Pinpoints vulnerabilities and accelerates remediation.
🔹 Open-Source & Cost-Effective – No vendor lock-in, backed by a strong community.

Automating Compliance & Security in the Cloud

Manual security checks don’t scale.

Prowler automates regular security scans across AWS, Azure, and GCP, ensuring continuous compliance with no extra effort.

You can schedule security checks, and generate audit-ready reports—so when compliance teams come knocking, you’re ready.

And because security risks don’t wait for audits, continuous run-time monitoring ensures you catch misconfigurations early.

Implementing CSPM in Your Organization

Adopting CSPM isn’t just about deploying a tool—it requires a thorough understanding of security, strategic planning, and organizational alignment. 

Here’s a roadmap for successful implementation:

Phase 1: Assessment and Planning

1. Cloud Asset Discovery: Conduct a comprehensive discovery of all cloud environments, accounts, and resources
2. Risk Assessment: Identify critical assets and evaluate current security posture
3. Compliance Mapping: Document applicable regulatory requirements and internal standards
4. Stakeholder Alignment: Engage with DevOps, security, and compliance teams to establish shared objectives

Phase 2: Implementation

1. Start Small: Begin with the most critical environments or compliance requirements
2. Establish Baselines: Define secure configuration baselines for each cloud service
3. Integration: Connect CSPM with existing security tools and workflows
4. Automation: Implement automated remediation for low-risk, high-frequency issues

Phase 3: Optimization

1. Fine-Tuning: Adjust policies to reduce false positives and focus on material risks
2. Metrics & Measurement: Establish KPIs to track security posture improvement
3. Expand Coverage: Gradually extend to additional cloud services and environments
4. Security as Code: Integrate CSPM checks into infrastructure-as-code templates

Common Implementation Challenges

• Alert Fatigue: Start with critical findings and gradually expand the scope
• Skills Gap: Provide training on cloud-specific security best practices
• Cultural Resistance: Demonstrate value through early wins and executive sponsorship
• Resource Constraints: Leverage automation to maximize efficiency

By following this phased approach, organizations can successfully implement CSPM while minimizing disruption and maximizing security value.

Getting Started with Prowler for CSPM

Managing security across multi-cloud environments doesn’t have to be a nightmare.

With Prowler, you get a powerful, open-source, and automated CSPM solution that simplifies cloud security and compliance.

So why wait? 

Start using Prowler today and take control of your multi-cloud security with confidence.

Try Prowler Cloud Free.

Frequently Asked Questions