Aqua Platform

Basic Information

• Model: Aqua Platform (also referred to as Aqua Cloud Native Security Platform, Aqua Enterprise Platform)
• Version: Continuous updates; specific component versions exist, such as 2.0.26-RELEASE for the Atlassian Marketplace app (released October 13, 2022).
• Release Date: Aqua Security was founded in 2015. The unified Aqua Platform console was unveiled in July 2021.
• Minimum Requirements: Not specified in terms of direct hardware (RAM, CPU, storage) for the platform itself, as it operates across diverse cloud and on-premise infrastructures. Technical prerequisites are detailed in the product documentation.
• Supported Operating Systems: Supports Linux and Windows runtime environments. For container hosts, "thin OS" distributions like RedHat CoreOS, VMware Photon, or Rancher OS are recommended.
• Latest Stable Version: No single static version number for the entire platform due to its continuous update model.
• End of Support Date: Not explicitly stated, typical for continuously evolving SaaS and software platforms.
• End of Life Date: Not explicitly stated.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Not explicitly stated.
• License Type: Commercial enterprise licenses. Pricing is based on factors such as the number of code repositories or workloads (e.g., VMs, containers, Lambda functions). Available through direct purchase or marketplaces like Microsoft Azure Marketplace.
• Deployment Model: Offered as both a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution and a Self-Hosted (on-premise) edition. Self-hosted deployments utilize Kubernetes-native deployments, often tailored with Helm charts.

Analysis: The Aqua Platform is a comprehensive Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) designed for modern, dynamic environments. Its continuous update model and flexible licensing reflect its adaptability to evolving cloud-native landscapes. The absence of fixed hardware requirements highlights its software-defined nature, relying on the underlying infrastructure for resource allocation. Its dual deployment model caters to various organizational needs, from fully managed cloud services to on-premise control.

Technical Requirements

• RAM, Processor, Storage: Specific hardware requirements are not detailed for the platform itself, as they depend on the underlying infrastructure (cloud or on-premise) where it is deployed.
• Display: Not specified.
• Ports: Not specified.
• Operating System: Supports Linux and Windows runtime environments. For container hosts, minimal Linux distributions such as RedHat CoreOS, VMware Photon, or Rancher OS are recommended.
• Deployment Environment: Runs on various cloud environments including AWS, Azure, GCP, Oracle Cloud, and Alibaba Cloud. Supports orchestrators like Kubernetes, OpenShift, Docker, AWS Fargate, and AWS Lambda.
• Database (for Self-Hosted): Can utilize PostgreSQL, including managed Amazon RDS for enterprise-grade deployments.

Analysis: Aqua Platform is architected for cloud-native ecosystems, abstracting direct hardware specifications. Its components are containerized, meaning resource consumption scales with the deployment size and the capabilities of the chosen cloud provider or on-premise Kubernetes cluster. The platform's broad compatibility with leading cloud providers and orchestrators ensures flexibility in deployment, while the recommendation for "thin OS" for container hosts emphasizes a secure and efficient foundational layer.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: The platform undergoes continuous updates. Specific components, such as the Atlassian Marketplace app, have version histories (e.g., 2.0.26-RELEASE from October 13, 2022).
• OS Support: Provides security for Linux and Windows runtime environments. Supports various container host operating systems, including RedHat CoreOS, VMware Photon, and Rancher OS.
• End of Support Date: Not explicitly stated for the platform as a whole.
• Localization: Not explicitly mentioned in publicly available information.
• Available Drivers: Not applicable in the traditional sense for a software platform.
• Cloud Provider Compatibility: Supports major cloud providers including AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), and Alibaba Cloud.
• Orchestrator Compatibility: Integrates with Kubernetes, OpenShift, Docker, AWS Fargate, and AWS Lambda.
• CI/CD Integration: Seamlessly integrates with various CI/CD pipelines and tools, including JFrog, GitHub, Jenkins, GitLab, and Atlassian Bamboo.
• Support Channels: Customer support is available through a dedicated portal and email.

Analysis: Aqua Platform offers extensive compatibility and support across the cloud-native ecosystem. Its broad integration with leading cloud providers, orchestrators, and CI/CD tools ensures it can be seamlessly incorporated into diverse development and operational workflows. The continuous update model implies ongoing support and feature enhancements, aligning with the dynamic nature of cloud security. While specific localization details are not highlighted, its global enterprise customer base suggests broad applicability.

Security Status

• Security Features: Includes comprehensive image scanning (for vulnerabilities, malware, misconfigurations, and embedded secrets), robust runtime protection (with drift prevention, blocking unauthorized activities, behavioral profiling, and virtual patching), software supply chain security, Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM), Cloud Workload Protection (CWPP), secrets management, compliance enforcement, network micro-segmentation, and purpose-built AI workload security.
• Known Vulnerabilities: The platform's core function is to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities within user applications and infrastructure. Publicly available information does not detail known vulnerabilities of the Aqua Platform itself.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable to the platform's own status; however, the platform provides threat intelligence and blacklisting capabilities to protect user environments.
• Certifications: Holds ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, ISO/IEC 27017:2015 (Cloud service security), ISO/IEC 27018:2019 (Privacy protection in the cloud), ISO/IEC 27701:2019 (Privacy information management), and FedRAMP High Authorized certifications. It also has CIS Benchmarks certification for Kubernetes, Docker, and Linux configurations.
• Encryption Support: Supports encryption for secrets management, ensuring data is encrypted in transit and at rest.
• Authentication Methods: Integrates with Active Directory/LDAP-based identity management systems and supports Single Sign-On (SSO) with SAML.
• General Recommendations: Emphasizes a "shift-left" security approach, embedding security controls early in the DevOps pipeline to prevent issues before deployment.

Analysis: Aqua Platform demonstrates an exceptionally strong security posture, offering a comprehensive suite of features that span the entire cloud-native application lifecycle. Its extensive list of certifications, including ISO, SOC 2, and FedRAMP, validates its adherence to rigorous security and compliance standards. The platform's focus on proactive vulnerability management, real-time threat detection, and robust authentication and encryption mechanisms positions it as a highly secure solution for protecting cloud-native workloads.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Certified by CIS Benchmarks for Kubernetes, Docker, and Linux configurations, indicating adherence to industry best practices for secure configuration. Specific numerical performance scores (e.g., throughput, latency under load) are not publicly detailed.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: Designed for "enterprise scale that doesn't slow development pipelines". Offers "low latency" for runtime protection, enabling immediate response to threats.
• Power Consumption: Not directly applicable to the software platform; depends on the underlying cloud or on-premise infrastructure where it is deployed.
• Carbon Footprint: Not directly applicable to the software platform; depends on the underlying cloud or on-premise infrastructure.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Users often compare Aqua Platform with other cloud-native security solutions like Wiz and Sysdig. Aqua is recognized for its deep industry expertise, pace of innovation, and comprehensiveness.

Analysis: Aqua Platform prioritizes efficient operation at scale, aiming to secure cloud-native applications without hindering development velocity. While specific numerical performance benchmarks are not widely published, its design for "low latency" runtime protection and "enterprise scale" suggests optimized performance. The CIS Benchmark certifications confirm its alignment with security best practices, contributing to a stable and secure operational environment. User comparisons highlight its strong standing within the competitive cloud-native security market.

User Reviews & Feedback

• Strengths: Users frequently praise the platform's ease of use, quick implementation, and seamless integration into existing workflows. Strong security features, comprehensive protection across the development lifecycle, effective scanning technology, and a user-friendly dashboard are also highlighted. Specific strengths include robust runtime protection, thorough vulnerability scanning, and reliable compliance enforcement. The ability to check for vulnerabilities early in the CI/CD pipeline is highly valued.
• Weaknesses: Some user feedback indicates a desire for broader support for various artifacts and platforms, suggesting areas for feature expansion.
• Recommended Use Cases: Aqua Platform is recommended for securing cloud accounts, providing runtime protection for containers and serverless functions, adding an extra layer of security to applications and infrastructure, identifying vulnerabilities in multi-cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP, OCI), and integrating security checks into CI/CD pipelines for DevSecOps practices.

Analysis: User reviews generally reflect a positive sentiment towards Aqua Platform, emphasizing its effectiveness in securing cloud-native environments. The platform's intuitive design and comprehensive security capabilities are consistently cited as key advantages. While there are minor suggestions for expanded compatibility, the overall feedback positions Aqua as a valuable and reliable solution for organizations adopting cloud-native architectures and DevSecOps principles.

Summary

The Aqua Security Aqua Platform is a leading Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) that provides comprehensive, full-lifecycle security for containerized, serverless, and VM-based applications. Founded in 2015, it offers both SaaS and self-hosted deployment models, catering to diverse enterprise needs. The platform integrates seamlessly across major cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP, Oracle, Alibaba Cloud) and orchestrators (Kubernetes, OpenShift, Docker, Fargate, Lambda), making it highly adaptable to modern cloud-native environments. Its licensing model is flexible, based on code repositories or workloads.

Technically, Aqua Platform is designed to run efficiently within cloud-native infrastructures, abstracting away direct hardware requirements. It supports Linux and Windows runtime environments and recommends "thin OS" for container hosts for optimized security. Compatibility extends to various CI/CD tools, ensuring security is embedded early in the development pipeline.

Security is a core strength, with features including advanced image scanning, robust runtime protection (with unique drift prevention and virtual patching capabilities), software supply chain security, CSPM, CWPP, and dedicated AI workload security. The platform holds numerous prestigious certifications, including ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, FedRAMP High, and CIS Benchmarks, underscoring its commitment to high security and compliance standards. It supports encryption for sensitive data and integrates with enterprise authentication systems like Active Directory/LDAP and SAML SSO.

While specific numerical performance benchmarks are not widely publicized, the platform is engineered for enterprise scale and low-latency runtime protection, ensuring security measures do not impede development or operational efficiency. User feedback consistently highlights its ease of use, strong security features, effective scanning, and seamless integration, making it a highly recommended solution for securing cloud-native applications throughout their lifecycle.

In summary, Aqua Platform stands out as a robust, highly certified, and user-praised solution for cloud-native security, offering extensive features from code to cloud. Its strengths lie in its comprehensive protection, broad compatibility, and commitment to integrating security without sacrificing agility. While some users desire expanded feature support, its overall performance and security posture are highly regarded.

Information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.