Tools for cloud vulnerability assessments

1. Amazon Inspector (AWS)

• Overview: Amazon Inspector is an automated security assessment service offered by AWS. It helps in identifying vulnerabilities and deviations from best practices in your cloud infrastructure.

• Key Features:

  • Automated vulnerability scanning.

  • Detects software vulnerabilities and configuration issues.

  • Integration with AWS CloudTrail and CloudWatch for continuous monitoring.

  • Supports both EC2 and containerized environments.

2. Qualys Cloud Platform

• Overview: Qualys is a comprehensive cloud-based security platform that provides continuous security monitoring and vulnerability management.

• Key Features:

  • Automated vulnerability scanning for web apps, databases, and cloud systems.

  • Cloud agent deployment for real-time monitoring.

  • Integration with major cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

  • Compliance reporting for standards like PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR.

  • Full asset discovery and inventory management.

3. Tenable.io

• Overview: Tenable.io is a cloud-based vulnerability management platform designed to help organizations detect and manage vulnerabilities across their cloud and hybrid environments.

• Key Features:

  • Scans for vulnerabilities in cloud infrastructure, networks, and web apps.

  • Integration with major cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

  • Provides vulnerability prioritization based on risk.

  • Detailed reporting with security posture insights and compliance checks.

  • Continuous monitoring with the ability to track changes and new vulnerabilities.

4. Rapid7 InsightVM

• Overview: Rapid7 InsightVM is a vulnerability management tool that helps businesses detect and manage risks in their cloud environments.

• Key Features:

  • Real-time vulnerability scanning for cloud infrastructure.

  • Integration with cloud services like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

  • Dynamic and customizable reporting to assess the risk level.

  • Automated remediation suggestions.

  • Cloud-native agentless scanning for easy deployment.

5. Nessus (by Tenable)

• Overview: Nessus is a widely used vulnerability scanner that provides comprehensive security assessments for cloud environments.

• Key Features:

  • Scans for vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and compliance violations.

  • Provides detailed reports with actionable insights.

  • Detection of common threats like malware, backdoors, and outdated software.

  • Cloud integration and support for various operating systems and platforms.

  • Ability to scan AWS and Azure cloud environments for security weaknesses.

6. CloudSploit

• Overview: CloudSploit is a security and configuration monitoring tool that helps assess and protect your cloud environments (particularly AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud).

• Key Features:

  • Detects misconfigurations, insecure cloud storage, and unnecessary open ports.

  • Focuses on AWS, GCP, and Azure services.

  • Compliance checks for standards like CIS and NIST.

  • Supports continuous monitoring and integration with SIEM tools.

  • Provides alerts and detailed reports to mitigate vulnerabilities.

7. Prisma Cloud (by Palo Alto Networks)

• Overview: Prisma Cloud is a comprehensive cloud security platform that provides vulnerability management, compliance monitoring, and threat detection for cloud infrastructures.

• Key Features:

  • Vulnerability scanning for cloud workloads and containers.

  • Continuous monitoring and policy enforcement.

  • Integration with CI/CD pipelines for DevSecOps workflows.

  • Full-stack visibility of cloud security, from infrastructure to applications.

  • Deep scanning for containerized environments and serverless functions.

8. Dome9 (by Check Point)

• Overview: Dome9 is a cloud security posture management (CSPM) tool that helps organizations secure their cloud environments by assessing vulnerabilities and compliance risks.

• Key Features:

  • Continuous monitoring of security configurations.

  • Real-time alerts for suspicious activities or security issues.

  • Automated risk assessments and vulnerability detection.

  • Compliance reporting and audit-ready documentation.

  • Integration with major cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and GCP.

9. OpenVAS

• Overview: OpenVAS (Open Vulnerability Assessment System) is an open-source tool used for vulnerability scanning across a wide range of networked systems, including cloud infrastructure.

• Key Features:

  • Open-source and free to use, with extensive plugin support.

  • Scans for vulnerabilities in cloud networks, servers, and web applications.

  • Provides detailed reports with risk prioritization.

  • Can be used for both on-premises and cloud-based environments.

  • Regularly updated with new vulnerability checks.

10. Burp Suite

• Overview: Burp Suite is primarily known for web application security testing, but it also offers cloud security features for vulnerability assessment.

• Key Features:

  • Detects vulnerabilities in cloud-based web applications and APIs.

  • Provides a range of automated and manual testing tools.

  • Integration with CI/CD pipelines for security testing.

  • Scans for common web vulnerabilities like XSS, SQL Injection, and security misconfigurations.

  • Customizable scans with a focus on cloud applications and cloud-native services.

11. Threat Stack

• Overview: Threat Stack is a cloud security monitoring and vulnerability management tool designed to protect cloud environments from evolving threats.

• Key Features:

  • Continuous monitoring for cloud infrastructure and workloads.

  • Integration with AWS, Azure, and GCP to identify security misconfigurations.

  • Detects vulnerabilities in cloud applications and networks.

  • Compliance reporting and integration with existing SIEM tools.

  • Cloud-native security for both virtual and containerized environments.

12. Synk

• Overview: Synk is a cloud-native security tool that provides vulnerability management for cloud infrastructure and applications, especially in DevOps environments.

• Key Features:

  • Focuses on containerized environments, Kubernetes, and serverless functions.

  • Continuous security scanning and remediation for cloud applications.

  • Offers support for AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Kubernetes platforms.

  • Provides easy integration with CI/CD pipelines.

  • Real-time vulnerability detection with actionable alerts. audit3aa