Last updated: May 20, 2025
Tags
Share
Overview
Aqua Security provides a comprehensive cloud-native application protection platform (CNAPP). It leverages AI and machine learning for advanced threat detection, vulnerability management, and compliance across the application lifecycle, from development (shift-left) to production. Aqua focuses on securing containers, Kubernetes, serverless functions, and virtual machines in multi-cloud and hybrid environments.
Key Features
✦ AI-Powered Threat Detection: Uses machine learning to identify anomalous behavior and zero-day threats in cloud workloads.
✦ Vulnerability Scanning & Management: Scans images, code, and running workloads for known vulnerabilities.
✦ Kubernetes Security Posture Management (KSPM): Assesses and enforces security best practices for Kubernetes clusters.
✦ Container Security: Provides runtime protection, image assurance, and drift prevention for containers.
✦ Serverless Security: Secures serverless functions against threats and vulnerabilities.
✦ Compliance & Governance: Helps meet regulatory compliance standards (e.g., PCI, HIPAA).
Advantages
🟩 Comprehensive Cloud-Native Security: Addresses a wide range of threats across the application lifecycle.
🟩 AI-Driven Insights: Advanced threat detection capabilities beyond signature-based methods.
🟩 Shift-Left Security: Integrates security early in the development pipeline.
🟩 Strong Kubernetes Focus: Robust security features specifically for Kubernetes environments.
Limitations
🟥 Complexity: Can be complex to deploy and manage, especially for smaller organizations without dedicated security teams.
🟥 Cost: Enterprise-focused platform, potentially expensive for small businesses.
🟥 Learning Curve: Requires understanding of cloud-native technologies and security concepts.
🟥 AI Explainability: Understanding the 'why' behind AI-driven alerts can sometimes be challenging.
Use Cases
➤ Securing Kubernetes Deployments: Protecting containerized applications running on Kubernetes.
➤ DevSecOps Implementation: Integrating security into CI/CD pipelines.
➤ Cloud Workload Protection: Securing VMs, containers, and serverless functions in the cloud.
➤ Compliance Management: Meeting industry-specific security and compliance requirements.
Pricing Details
Aqua operates on a subscription model, typically priced per developer seat, and is aimed at software development teams and enterprises.
⭘ Free Tier: A free plan is available for individuals and small teams, offering core scanning capabilities for a limited number of projects or scans per month.
⭘ Team Plan (e.g., ~$29/developer/month): For growing teams, this plan includes a higher number of scans, integration with more repositories, and advanced security features.
⭘ Enterprise Plan (Custom Pricing): For large organizations, offering unlimited scanning, advanced security and compliance features (like SOC 2), premium support, and SSO integration.
(Note: A free trial of the paid plans is often available. Pricing is subject to change.)
Summary
Aqua Security is a cloud-native application protection platform (CNAPP) that uses AI to provide comprehensive security for containers, Kubernetes, and serverless applications, from development to production.
Released Dates
2025
Jan – Launched "AI Triaging," a feature that prioritizes security vulnerabilities based on their potential impact and exploitability.
2024
Aug – Introduced "AI-Assisted Remediation," providing developers with context-aware code suggestions to fix identified security issues.
Feb – Aqua was launched as a code security platform using AI to detect and fix security vulnerabilities during the development lifecycle.
