Microsoft Defender for Cloud

Microsoft Defender for Cloud is the obvious CSPM for Azure-first organisations. The native integration with the full Microsoft security stack, zero deployment overhead for existing Azure customers, and the regulatory compliance dashboard via Purview make it a compelling choice for organisations whose cloud estate is primarily Azure.

The limitation is equally obvious. AWS and GCP coverage, while available, requires additional configuration and is materially less capable than Azure-native workloads. Attack path analysis for multi-cloud environments is less advanced than Wiz or Orca. For organisations with significant non-Azure workloads, Microsoft Defender for Cloud is a complement to a CSPM, not a replacement for one.

The verdict: Microsoft Defender for Cloud is right for Azure-first enterprises that want CSPM bundled into their existing Microsoft security investment. Organisations with significant AWS or GCP workloads should evaluate Wiz or Orca.

Last reviewed: May 2026

Strongest: Compliance reporting

Watch out for: Risk prioritisation

Best for

Organisations running Azure wanting native, low-friction cloud security posture management.

Not suitable for: AWS/GCP-primary environments