CSPM vs. Runtime Protection vs. ASPM: Why ASPM is the Foundational Layer for Secure Development
January 17, 2025
Security teams often rely on CSPM (Cloud Security Posture Management) and Runtime Protection to safeguard cloud environments and applications after deployment. However, these solutions fail to address the root cause of vulnerabilities—unsecure development practices.
Application Security Posture Management (ASPM) provides the missing layer, ensuring that security is embedded from the start. By preventing vulnerabilities before they reach production, ASPM reduces reliance on reactive tools and enhances overall security posture.
ASPM, CSPM, and Runtime Protection: Why You Need All Three
Security is only as strong as its foundation.
When it comes to securing modern software environments, relying on a single security approach isn’t enough. Organizations need a comprehensive, layered strategy that covers risks from development to deployment to runtime. That’s where Application Security Posture Management (ASPM), Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM), and Runtime Protection each play a critical role.
- ASPM is the foundation—fix issues before code ever reaches production and they become expensive risks.
- CSPM ensures cloud environments are hardened—preventing misconfigurations before they’re exploited.
- Runtime Protection adds active monitoring—detecting and stopping threats as they occur.
Security isn’t one-size-fits-all—you need a layered approach that addresses risks before, during, and after deployment. Start Left® helps organizations build secure applications from the start, while CSPM and Runtime Protection ensure the cloud and production environments remain secure.
A Side-by-Side Comparison:
CSPM vs. Runtime Protection vs. ASPM
| Feature | CSPM (Cloud Security Posture Management) | Runtime Protection (CWPP, RASP, EDR) | ASPM (Application Security Posture Management) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Secure cloud configurations & compliance. | Protect workloads at runtime from active threats. | Pre-runtime security—detect and prevent vulnerabilities in development. |
| When It Works | Monitors & remediates misconfigurations before deployment. | Detects and mitigates threats after deployment. | Identifies security risks before deployment by embedding security into CI/CD. |
| Security Approach | Policy enforcement for cloud security settings. | Real-time threat detection & response. | Developer-focused risk prevention & adoption of security best practices. |
| Visibility Scope | Infrastructure & cloud security risks. | Active application behavior and exploits. | Code vulnerabilities, dependency risks, security governance. |
| How It Works | Analyzes misconfigurations in cloud services (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP). | Detects live exploits and abnormal activity. | Enforces security in code, dependencies, CI/CD, and teams. |
| Examples of Protection | Ensures least privilege, encryption, secure networking. | Stops zero-days, malware, runtime injections. | Prevents OWASP Top 10, supply chain attacks, and insecure coding. |
| Remediation Focus | Infrastructure-level fixes (e.g., IAM misconfigurations, unencrypted storage). | Live response to threats in production. | Pre-runtime remediation with automated fixes, developer training, and governance. |
| Automation & AI | Automates cloud security best practices. | AI-driven behavioral analysis for active threats. | AI-driven code remediation, risk prioritization, and security maturity tracking. |
| Who Uses It? | Cloud security teams, DevOps. | SecOps, SOC teams, IT security. | Engineering, DevOps, and Security leaders ensuring proactive security. |
Why ASPM is the Foundation of a Strong Security Program
- CSPM & Runtime Protection react—ASPM prevents. Start Left ensures vulnerabilities never reach production, reducing noise, alerts, and incident response costs.
- Security at the speed of DevOps. While CSPM enforces security in infrastructure and runtime tools mitigate live threats, ASPM aligns security with the SDLC, empowering developers and security teams to prevent issues at the source.
- A Complete Security Program Needs All Three. CSPM, Runtime Protection, and ASPM work best together. Without ASPM, organizations are stuck reacting to threats instead of stopping them before they exist.
Why You Need All Three
Each security layer plays a unique role in reducing risk, and there is no silver bullet to cover everything.
| Security Layer | Focus | Key Risks Addressed | Why It’s Essential |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASPM (Application Security Posture Management) | Pre-runtime | Code vulnerabilities, insecure dependencies, misconfigurations in development | Prevents vulnerabilities before they reach production |
| CSPM (Cloud Security Posture Management) | Cloud security posture | Misconfigured cloud services, insecure storage, policy violations | Ensures a secure cloud foundation |
| Runtime Protection | Live applications | Exploits, zero-day attacks, active breaches | Detects and mitigates threats in production |
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Start Left® Application Security Posture Management (ASPM) & OWASP SAMM Alignment
The adoption of Start Left methodologies not only transforms security into a profit center but also directly enhances the achievement of the true value proposition of DevOps . The primary goal of DevOps is to break down silos between development and operations, enabling continuous integration, delivery, and collaboration to produce high-quality software at speed. Start Left® takes this even further by embedding security into the core of this collaboration , ensuring that high-quality software isn’t just fast but also secure and resilient from the ground up.
For decades, cybersecurity has been viewed as a cost center —an unavoidable yet necessary expense. Security was often seen as the department that says "no," adding layers of complexity and slowing down innovation. However, the paradigm shift toward "Start Left" methodologies is turning this traditional view on its head. For the first time ever, security can be transformed into a profit center by enhancing development and product teams' performance, reducing costs, and driving better business outcomes.
Today, organizations are not only battling external cyber threats but also facing increasing risks from insider threats —whether through negligence or malicious intent. Fraud often originates from within, leveraging access, knowledge, and loopholes in processes that go undetected by traditional security measures. Start Left® Security's unique PIRATE® model empowers organizations to tackle these insider threats before they escalate, bringing advanced capabilities that offer unparalleled insights and control.
The Only ASPM for Speed & Growth—Not Bloat
Skip the tool sprawl, streamline security, and accelerate go-to-market. Start Left® embeds security into every team, prioritizes risk, and drives accountability—so teams fix what matters, leadership gets full visibility, and developers level up while shipping secure software faster.
Security should fuel growth, not slow it down.
Start Left® makes that happen.
Start Left® makes that happen.
