Implementing a cloud security posture management (CSPM) solution brings real-time visibility into the security risks and compliance gaps across cloud environments. However, to measure progress and maximize value, organizations need to identify the right metrics to benchmark effectiveness.
Here we outline the most insightful CSPM metrics to incorporate into reporting dashboards, track over time, and optimize:
Table of Contents
Visibility Coverage
Key Metrics: Percentage of cloud assets, accounts and services discovered/monitored by the CSPM solution.
Significance: Demonstrates scope of visibility into cloud attack surface, revealing potential blindspots.
Policy Conformance
Key Metrics: Percentage of cloud assets compliant with security policies and configurations baselines.
Significance: Quantifies improvement in complying with organizational security standards and practices.
Vulnerability Trends
Key Metrics: Total cloud vulnerabilities detected over time segmented by severity.
Significance: Identifies higher risk vulnerabilities to prioritize for faster remediation.
Automated Remediation Rate
Key Metrics: Percentage of detected misconfigurations automatically remediated by CSPM platform.
Significance: Measures efficiency gains through policy enforcement and auto-remediation.
Mean Time to Remediate (MTTR)
Key Metrics: Average time to resolve critical risks and vulnerabilities uncovered by the CSPM solution.
Significance: Evaluates responsiveness in addressing critical security gaps.
Summary
Tracking these metrics provides quantifiable insight into the risk reduction and operational efficiency gains realized through CSPM implementation. They serve to communicate program success, strategically allocate resources, and showcase ROI.