We unpack competition in the cloud security space and highlight vendors including Palo Alto Networks, Orca Security, and Aqua Security.
Competition is fierce in the world of cloud security.
This CISO we spoke with has been offered AirPods just to get on a call with vendors:
While this CSO and customer of Orca Security says competitor Wiz is “trying to bribe me with gifts” to switch:
Sales tactics aside, startups in the cloud security space have seen growing traction amid accelerated cloud adoption and rising cybersecurity challenges.
In today’s edition of The Transcript, we’ll be diving into who the players are and how they’re competing (and winning) against incumbents.
Let’s start with the elephant in the room
Last week, cybersecurity behemoth Palo Alto Networks ($47B market cap) acquired Cider Security.
The application security provider will complement Palo Alto’s cloud security platform Prisma Cloud.
Palo Alto has built its sprawling cybersecurity offerings via numerous acquisitions over the years.
Against incumbents like Palo Alto, cloud security startups like Aqua Security, Ermetic, and Sysdig are differentiating themselves as unified platforms.
For example, Aqua Security highlights in its CB Insights Analyst Briefing that it is an “integrated platform, not a portfolio of acquired vendor solutions.”
Request a free Analyst Briefing to make sure you’re on our radar.
What do customers actually purchasing these solutions have to say?
Here are 4 win/loss reasons from Yardstiq’s interview transcripts.
Aqua Security won on value vs. Palo Alto’s Prisma Cloud
Lacework beats out Prisma Cloud on price and integration
Orca Security “changed the game” vs. incumbent Check Point
But for this customer, Netskope is facing pressure from Microsoft
As the buyer above highlights, enterprise software companies like Microsoft are also looking to capitalize on the cloud opportunity.
VMware, for example, has turned to partnerships and acquisitions to compete in cloud computing & cybersecurity (clients can learn more in our VMware strategy map here.)
Map the landscape
Our Cloud Security Vendor Scorecard compares Lacework, Aqua Security, Netskope, and more across areas including:
- Customer satisfaction
- Win reasons
- Pricing
Download the free 1-pager here.
