Sysdig Secure is an enterprise Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) that delivers runtime-first cloud security. Named a representative vendor in the 2025 Gartner Market Guide for CNAPP, the platform combines runtime threat detection, vulnerability management, cloud posture management, and compliance in a unified solution.
The company created Falco, the CNCF graduated threat detection engine. Sysdig Secure builds on Falco with enterprise capabilities including Sysdig Sage (an AI security analyst), Cloud Attack Graph, and centralized management. Customers include IBM, Goldman Sachs, Booking.com, Alaska Airlines, SAP Concur, and Worldpay.
What is Sysdig Secure?
Sysdig Secure operates as a CNAPP, providing multiple security functions through a single platform. The architecture includes runtime monitoring agents that deploy on Kubernetes nodes and cloud environments, a centralized backend for analysis and policy management, and a unified console for security operations.
The runtime detection component uses Falco to monitor kernel events and detect threats in real-time. This telemetry is enriched with container, Kubernetes, and cloud metadata to provide context about security events. The platform correlates runtime behavior with vulnerability data and posture findings to identify active exploits and prioritize remediation.
Vulnerability management scans container images, running workloads, and infrastructure-as-code templates. The platform uses runtime insights to prioritize vulnerabilities that are actually exploitable in the live environment, reducing noise from theoretical vulnerabilities in unused code paths.
Key Features
| Module | Details |
|---|---|
| CDR | Cloud Detection & Response with 5-second threat detection |
| CWPP | Cloud Workload Protection for containers and Kubernetes |
| CSPM | Cloud Security Posture Management |
| CIEM | Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management |
| VM | Vulnerability Management with 98% noise reduction via runtime context |
| IaC Security | Infrastructure-as-Code scanning |
| Sysdig Sage | AI security analyst with multi-step reasoning |
| Cloud Attack Graph | Attack path analysis and risk prioritization |
| Compliance | PCI-DSS, GDPR, NIST 800-53, SOC 2, HIPAA |
Cloud Detection & Response
The CDR capability monitors cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes clusters, and container workloads for threats. It detects anomalies like privilege escalation, crypto mining, data exfiltration, and insider threats. Automated playbooks can trigger responses like isolating compromised workloads.
Vulnerability Prioritization: Sysdig Secure uses runtime context to prioritize vulnerabilities based on actual risk. It identifies which packages are loaded in memory, which network connections exist, and what privileges workloads have. This risk-based approach focuses remediation on exploitable vulnerabilities rather than treating all CVEs equally.
Posture Management: The CSPM functionality continuously assesses cloud configurations against security best practices and compliance frameworks. It identifies misconfigurations like overly permissive IAM policies, unencrypted storage, exposed services, and policy violations.
Identity & Entitlement: CIEM features map cloud identities, permissions, and resource access. The platform identifies excessive privileges, unused permissions, and violations of least-privilege principles across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
Compliance Automation: Pre-built compliance policies for PCI-DSS, GDPR, NIST, SOC 2, and HIPAA automate configuration checks and evidence collection. The platform generates audit-ready reports showing compliance status and historical trends.
Platform architecture
Sysdig Secure deploys agents on Kubernetes nodes via DaemonSets and in cloud accounts through integrations with cloud provider APIs. The agents collect runtime telemetry, vulnerability data, and configuration information. This data flows to Sysdig’s SaaS backend or can be deployed on-premises for air-gapped environments.
The backend correlates events across runtime, vulnerabilities, and posture. Machine learning models identify anomalies and establish behavioral baselines. When threats are detected, the platform generates prioritized alerts with investigation context and remediation guidance.
Sysdig Sage is described as the first AI analyst built for cloud security, driven by specialized agents. Teams ask natural language questions about threats, get vulnerability impact analysis, and receive guided investigation workflows. Sysdig reports a 76% MTTR reduction with AI assistance.
Integrations connect Sysdig Secure with ticketing systems, SIEM platforms, CI/CD pipelines, and incident response tools. This interoperability allows the platform to fit into existing security workflows rather than requiring wholesale replacement of security tooling.
Getting Started
When to Use Sysdig Secure
Strengths:
- Comprehensive CNAPP consolidates multiple security functions
- Runtime-first approach catches threats static tools miss
- Enterprise adoption (IBM, Goldman Sachs, Booking.com)
- AI-powered assistance accelerates security operations
- Strong Kubernetes and container security heritage
- Automated compliance reporting reduces audit burden
- Risk-based prioritization reduces alert fatigue
Limitations:
- Commercial pricing may be prohibitive for smaller organizations
- Learning curve for teams new to runtime security concepts
- Some features require deployment of agents on all nodes
- Integration with existing tools may require configuration effort
- Platform complexity can be overwhelming initially
For a broader view of cloud security strategy, see our cloud infrastructure security guide. Sysdig Secure represents an enterprise approach to IaC security and cloud-native protection. While open-source tools like Falco, Kyverno, and kube-bench address specific security needs, Sysdig Secure provides integrated capabilities across the security lifecycle. Organizations often use Sysdig Secure as their primary CNAPP while leveraging open-source tools for specific use cases or pre-production environments.
