Product Overview: Qualys Cloud Platform
The Qualys Cloud Platform is a comprehensive, cloud-based security and compliance solution designed to help organizations simplify and enhance their IT security operations. Here’s a detailed look at what the platform does and its key features:
What it Does
The Qualys Cloud Platform provides a unified architecture that integrates multiple security and compliance services, enabling organizations to identify, manage, and mitigate vulnerabilities across their entire IT infrastructure. This includes on-premises, cloud, and endpoint environments. The platform helps in automating the full spectrum of auditing, compliance, and protection for internet perimeter systems, internal networks, and web applications, thereby reducing the total cost of ownership and enhancing overall security posture.
Key Features and Functionality
1. Asset Inventory and Management
The platform offers continuous asset inventorying, which gathers detailed information on all IT assets, including installed software, existing vulnerabilities, and hardware details. This helps in maintaining a comprehensive and up-to-date inventory of all assets, whether they are on-premises, in the cloud, or at remote endpoints.
2. Vulnerability Management
Qualys Vulnerability Management (VM) provides immediate, global visibility into vulnerabilities across IT systems. It identifies vulnerabilities, recommends patches, and tracks the implementation of these patches to ensure the security of servers, computers, and other devices. The platform also prioritizes remediation efforts by correlating real-time threat information against identified vulnerabilities.
3. Continuous Monitoring
Qualys Continuous Monitoring (CM) is a next-generation service that watches the network for threats and unexpected changes in real-time. It detects anomalies in the network and sends targeted alerts to the relevant personnel, ensuring prompt action against potential breaches. This service extends to internet-facing devices, DMZs, and cloud environments worldwide.
4. Web Application Scanning and Security
The platform includes Web Application Scanning (WAS) and Web Application Firewall (WAF) capabilities. These tools help in discovering, cataloging, and scanning web applications to identify vulnerabilities. Qualys also provides real-time virtual patching of vulnerabilities and protection against web application attacks, including those listed in the OWASP Top 10.
5. Compliance and Policy Management
Qualys automates the assessment of security and compliance controls for assets in public cloud environments, ensuring adherence to internal IT policies and external regulations. This includes monitoring and assessing cloud accounts, services, and assets for misconfigurations and non-standard deployments.
6. Centralized Management and Reporting
The platform offers a centralized, web-based interface that provides a single-pane-of-glass view of the entire IT environment. This interface allows administrators to manage all aspects of accounts, create and manage user roles, and generate detailed reports based on IP groups or other organizational criteria. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) ensures that users have appropriate permissions to conduct scans, view reports, and perform other security-related tasks.
7. Scalable and Flexible Architecture
The Qualys Cloud Platform is built on a robust, modular, and scalable infrastructure that leverages virtualization and cloud technologies. This architecture supports large, hybrid IT environments and allows for capacity allocation on demand. The platform also integrates with other security tools and services, such as Google Cloud Platform’s Cloud Security Command Center (Cloud SCC), to enhance visibility and threat response.
8. Cloud Agents and Sensors
Qualys Cloud Agents are lightweight, remotely deployable agents that extend security to assets where network scanning is not feasible, such as dynamic IP client machines, remote users, and cloud instances. These agents provide continuous monitoring and data collection, ensuring up-to-date IT asset data without the need for complex credential and firewall management.
In summary, the Qualys Cloud Platform is a powerful tool for organizations seeking to enhance their security posture, simplify IT security operations, and ensure compliance with various regulations. Its integrated suite of services, scalable architecture, and centralized management capabilities make it an indispensable asset in the modern cybersecurity landscape.