Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks Reviews

Name: Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks
Brand: Palo Alto Networks
Rating: 4.2 (108 reviews)

Vendor: Palo Alto Networks

4.2 out of 5

108 reviews
98% willing to recommend

1,470 followers

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What is Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks?

Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks offers dynamic workload identity creation, application dependency mapping, and automated forensics. Its capabilities in multi-cloud environments, tight AWS integration, and compliance features enhance threat visibility and control.

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Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks is the #1 ranked solution in Cloud Workload Protection Platforms, #1 ranked solution in top Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPP) solutions, #1 ranked solution in top Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) solutions, and #2 ranked solution in top Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) solutions. PeerSpot users give Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks is most commonly compared to Wiz: Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks vs Wiz. Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 57% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a educational organization, accounting for 18% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks

February 2025

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Featured reviews

Mohammad Qaw

Senior Security Consultant at helpag

Most customers use Prisma Cloud for visibility and compliance. Prisma has so many features, but many organizations do not use them. They primarily use the visibility part to connect all their cloud accounts and hosts for visibility to see if they are missing any security controls or if they have any misconfigurations. You can connect it to cloud environments such as Azure, AWS, Oracle Cloud, Alibaba, etc., or to an on-prem data center. Prisma Cloud gives you so many options to automate processes related to your daily operations. When it comes to cybersecurity, you can automate things with their existing APIs. They also have out-of-the-box integrations with many solutions. I have not seen any limitations. Everything is customizable. You can do whatever you want, defining the reporting and custom use cases. They recently updated the UI, so it's much better than before.

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VISHWJEET GAIKWAD

Cloud Security Delivery Associate Manager at Accenture

Some of the clients onboard individual cloud accounts into Prisma Cloud. When any new service comes into the AWS, Azure, or any other cloud, Prisma Cloud generates a warning about the new service and any missing permissions to be able to ingest the logs. We then manually run a Terraform template for Azure or a CFT template for AWS. It is a manual task that we have to do as and when needed. It is a repetitive and manual task. They should find a way to automatically update the role with the CFT or Terraform template. It would be best if this task is automated. When an account is onboarded, if it is missing any permission, it should automatically be updated with the required permissions and policies. If they can do something from the AI security perspective, it will be helpful. I am not sure if it has any AI capabilities, but it would be helpful to have AI integration for finding out issues and remediating alerts.

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TejasJain

Sr. Cloud Security Architect at tejain@deloitte.com

Prisma is the result of multiple Palo Alto acquisitions, like CWPP, Twistlock, and Aporeto. Though they are part of a single pane of glass, there is no correlation between the solutions. I don't see vulnerability scans done for tools that have been micro-segmented. A better correlation between the multiple products Prisma Cloud contains would be crucial. It would reduce the time spent looking at reports and enable you to get all the actionable insights across products. I think that Palo Alto is working on it, but they need to work faster because it doesn't make sense to have all these products in a single pane of glass without any correlation between them. At some point, things get a bit unwieldy when working with complex environments, but I don't think that challenge is unique to Prisma Cloud. It's an issue for any solution deployed in massive and complex environments. Let's say you have an enterprise with 30,000 workloads in the cloud, so it's unwieldy to have it configured for a single instance of Prisma Cloud. In that case, it would be better to segregate it across multiple tenants. In the future, I'd like to see Palo Alto create a single consolidated agent software for workload production and identity-based micro-segmentation. Currently, I need to install two agents for the same platform to get two different functionalities. The second is maybe ease of licensing. That would also be helpful.

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PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Cloud Detection and Response (CDR)	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks vs Wiz	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks vs Orca Security	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks vs Trend Vision One - Cloud Security	Feb 21, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Wiz	4.5	44.5%	100%	20 interviews Add to research
Orca Security	4.5	32.4%	100%	19 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks excels in dynamic workload identity creation, automated forensics, compliance mapping, and multi-cloud integration. It provides continuous cloud compliance monitoring, outstanding integration with AWS, and comprehensive security for cloud environments. Features like identity-based micro-segmentation, runtime protection, and security automation capably handle vulnerabilities and misconfigurations, offering centralized control, improved alert management, and cost efficiency. Its CSPM, WAF, and integrated CI/CD pipeline capabilities are particularly praised by users.

"I would rate Prisma Cloud a ten out of ten."
"I would rate Prisma Cloud by Palo Alto Networks ten out of ten."
"Prisma Cloud's comprehensive platform offers a range of features, including runtime security and vulnerability assessments, through its Prisma Cloud Compute component."

Room for Improvement

Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks needs improvement in documentation, UI, pricing, integration, and automation. Users report challenges with transparency, compliance features, and customization options. There are concerns about microsegmentation, user interface navigation, role-based access control, and latency in alerts. Licensing costs affect integration with third-party tools. Enhanced API functionality, machine learning, and security automation are sought to reduce manual work. Users desire better support, training, and regional feature availability.

"The data security model needs improvement due to integration issues with certain features and cloud providers."
"Prisma Cloud's application security capabilities should be enhanced."
"Prisma Cloud's application security capabilities should be enhanced."

ROI

Organizations leveraging Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks see significant improvements in cloud security posture and operational efficiency. Time spent on alert investigations is reduced, and automation minimizes manual monitoring tasks. Users experience enhanced compliance with visibility into security vulnerabilities and misconfigurations. The platform enables swift adoption and scalability, despite initial investment costs. Organizations note fewer security incidents and improved resource management, though exact metrics on financial returns remain challenging to quantify.

Pricing

Enterprise users of Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks report a mixed experience with pricing. Many appreciate the competitive pricing model, often finding value in its comprehensive features despite the higher cost. Costs are based on factors like resources and usage, and while some find the pricing transparent and justified, others note confusion around licensing and additional costs when expanding features. Discounts are sometimes offered, and users suggest planning for growth to optimize budgeting.

"The pricing for Prisma Cloud is high. Providing a pay-as-you-go model or pricing options tailored for medium and small enterprises could help attract more clients."
"It is fairly priced. However, its price can be better so that small banks or small organizations can afford it and adopt it to secure their environment and data."
"The price for Prisma Cloud is reasonable."

Popular Use Cases

Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks is primarily used for container security and compliance management. Users leverage it for cloud security posture management, identifying vulnerabilities, and ensuring alignment with industry standards. They utilize it for monitoring, runtime management on containers, and addressing misconfigurations across AWS, Azure, and GCP environments. Its capabilities in vulnerability detection and security automation are emphasized, supporting users in managing large-scale cloud infrastructures effectively.

Service and Support

Palo Alto Networks' Cortex Cloud provides robust customer service and technical support. Customers mention responsive and proactive assistance, featuring knowledgeable teams and swift ticket handling. Technical support is often praised for addressing queries efficiently. Some users experience delays or communication gaps, suggesting room for improvement. Generally, the support team is commended for its strong engagement and resolution capabilities, enhancing customer satisfaction with prompt actions and comprehensive communication.

Deployment

Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks has varying complexity in initial setup. Many users find it straightforward, with some describing it as plug-and-play. It typically involves deploying agents and integrating APIs. The process duration varies from a few hours to several months, depending on organizational size and infrastructure complexity. Assistance from technical support is often beneficial. Maintenance requirements tend to be minimal, focusing mainly on updates and policy adjustments.

Scalability

Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks is seen as highly scalable, effectively deploying across various platforms like Kubernetes and Docker. Users have noted its flexibility in handling diverse cloud environments. Automated features and APIs contribute to seamless scaling, with no significant issues reported. Licensing is a key consideration, but expansion is generally supported well. The platform consistently performs well, accommodating growth and maintaining responsiveness in large, multi-cloud enterprises.

Stability

Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks consistently shows robust stability with minimal downtime. Many users report excellent performance, high availability, and reliability. Occasionally, there are short interruptions, typically with quick resolutions. Users note that it's effective even in demanding environments, though some had initial setup challenges. With regular updates and improvements, most find it trustworthy and dependable, with stability ratings often reaching nine or ten out of ten.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

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Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

18%

Financial Services Firm

13%

Computer Software Company

13%

Manufacturing Company

Insurance Company

Government

Healthcare Company

Comms Service Provider

Retailer

University

Energy/Utilities Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Media Company

Construction Company

Logistics Company

Legal Firm

Non Profit

Transportation Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Outsourcing Company

Hospitality Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Performing Arts

Consumer Goods Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Compare Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks with alternative products

Learn more about Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks

Cortex Cloud integrates RedLock and Prisma Cloud to deliver inventory management, vulnerability scanning, and cloud configuration monitoring. These features enable strong security posture management while optimizing alert response times and operational costs. Users leverage it for container security and multi-cloud compliance, maximizing insights into security configurations and threat detection across AWS, Azure, and GCP.

What are the key features of Cortex Cloud?

Dynamic Workload Identity: Enhances security through automated identity creation.
Application Dependency Mapping: Offers clarity on application interdependencies.
Automated Forensics: Speeds up investigation processes.
Managed Rule Sets: Ensures updated security practices.
Runtime Mechanism: Protects applications during execution.
Network Mapping: Strengthens overall network security.

What benefits should users consider in reviews?

Enhanced Visibility: Provides comprehensive control across cloud environments.
Cost Efficiency: Reduces operational costs and alert investigation time.
Compliance Support: Assists in meeting industry benchmarks and regulations.
Cloud Integration: Seamlessly works with AWS, Azure, and GCP.

Cortex Cloud is widely used in industries prioritizing container security and compliance across multi-cloud frameworks. Companies implement it for real-time management, vulnerability detection, and threat remediation. The focus is on aligning security posture with industry benchmarks and achieving automated compliance, facilitating robust protection across platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

Cortex Cloud by Palo Alto Networks was previously known as Prisma Cloud, Prisma Public Cloud, RedLock Cloud 360, RedLock, Twistlock, Aporeto.