Definition
Cloud security posture management, or CSPM, is a category of cybersecurity tools and practices designed to identify and remediate risks in cloud environments. These solutions continuously monitor cloud infrastructure for misconfigurations, compliance violations, and potential security threats across multiple cloud services. CSPM helps organizations maintain a strong security baseline by automating the detection and correction of vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. For instance, a CSPM tool might alert an administrator to an open S3 bucket that should be private, preventing accidental data exposure. Unlike vulnerability scanners that focus on specific software flaws, CSPM addresses the broader security configuration of the cloud environment itself. This concept is relevant for certifications like CompTIA Security+, CySA+, and CISSP.