What is included in WithSecure Elements Cloud Security Posture Management for Microsoft Azure?

Azure configuration assessment – Close to 100 checks against Azure resources, based on WithSecure research.
Risk-ranked findings – Each misconfiguration rated by risk level with mitigation instructions attached.
Scan scheduling – Run all rules or a subset, scheduled or on demand.
Multi-subscription view – Findings grouped by scan, account or rule in one dashboard.
Reporting and API – PDF reports plus a Recommendations API for SIEM and ticketing tools.
Important – No threat detection, virtual machine malware protection, or device and identity scanning.

What are the main benefits of WithSecure Elements Cloud Security Posture Management for Microsoft Azure?

WithSecure Elements Cloud Security Posture Management for Microsoft Azure is an agentless module. It connects to your Azure subscriptions through a registered WithSecure application with certificate-based authentication, checks their configuration for security weaknesses, and is managed from the cloud-based Elements Security Center. WithSecure now markets this capability as Elements Exposure Management for Cloud; Cloud Security Posture Management is the earlier product name that many buyers still search for.

Replaces manual audits – Recurring scans replace spreadsheet-based reviews of Azure settings and permissions.
Targets common attack routes – Checks cover over-permissive privileges, unencrypted data at rest and public IP exposure.
Missing logging flagged – Detects where logging needed for incident investigation is not enabled.
Evidence for management – Executive summaries show exposure trends and the effect of remediation work.
Multi-tenant for MSPs – Service partners manage many customer companies from one Elements Security Center.
Plain-language guidance – Luminen AI explains findings and fixes in the administrator's own language.

Which company size is WithSecure Elements Cloud Security Posture Management for Microsoft Azure suitable for?

The module fits organisations that run production workloads in Azure but have no dedicated cloud security engineer to review configurations regularly. A small company with one subscription gets a structured, repeatable check instead of relying on how the environment was originally set up. Mid-sized companies and managed service providers benefit most, because they operate several subscriptions and must show progress to management or customers. WithSecure designs Elements for mid-sized organisations. Large enterprises with their own cloud security team usually need broader coverage than a set of close to 100 checks.

Does WithSecure Elements Cloud Security Posture Management for Microsoft Azure meet the requirements of Swiss cybersecurity legislation?

Since 1 April 2025, the revised Information Security Act has required operators of critical infrastructure in Switzerland to report cyberattacks to the Federal Office for Cybersecurity (BACS) within 24 hours of discovery. Examples of such operators are energy and water supply, transport companies, and cantonal and municipal administrations. Most private SMEs are not directly subject to this obligation, but suppliers to these operators may be asked for comparable diligence. This module does not detect or report attacks, so it does not support the 24-hour report itself; that requires detection and response tools such as Elements XDR and a documented incident process. What it does support is prevention and preparation: it finds Azure misconfigurations that commonly lead to data exposure, and it flags where the logging needed to reconstruct an incident is not enabled. This information does not constitute legal advice; whether your organisation is subject to the reporting obligation should be clarified with BACS or a legal specialist.

Does WithSecure Elements Cloud Security Posture Management for Microsoft Azure meet the requirements of European cybersecurity legislation?

No software product makes an organisation compliant with the NIS 2 Directive, because the directive requires risk management measures across organisation, processes and technology. Its measure categories include:
• risk analysis and security policies
• incident handling
• business continuity and backup
• supply chain security
• secure acquisition, development and maintenance, including vulnerability handling
• assessment of the effectiveness of measures
• cyber hygiene and training
• cryptography
• access control and asset management
• multi-factor authentication
This module contributes to vulnerability handling for Azure configurations and to effectiveness assessment through recurring scans and trend reports. It also contributes partly to access control and cryptography, by flagging over-permissive privileges and unencrypted data at rest. It does not cover incident handling, backup and continuity, supply chain management, staff training or on-premises systems, so those areas need separate measures or other modules.

Does WithSecure Elements Cloud Security Posture Management for Microsoft Azure help with security questionnaires from large customers?

Yes, but only for the cloud configuration part of a questionnaire. It lets you answer questions such as whether Azure configurations are reviewed regularly, whether findings are prioritised and tracked, whether data at rest is encrypted and whether administrative privileges are restricted, with a PDF report as supporting evidence. It does not answer questions on endpoint protection, email security, backup and recovery, incident detection and response, staff awareness training, or the security of on-premises devices and user identities. In a WithSecure environment these gaps are usually closed within the same family. Elements Exposure Management for Business adds device, network, external attack surface and Entra ID identity scanning, and Elements XDR adds detection and response. Both run in the same console, which is normally simpler than combining several vendors.

What is the difference between Exposure Management for Cloud and Exposure Management for Business?

The decisive difference is scope. The Cloud licence, sold here under its earlier CSPM name, scans cloud accounts. The Business licence covers the environment outside the cloud. According to WithSecure's administrator guide, the Business licence includes device, network, external attack surface and Entra ID identity scans. Both licences share the exposure dashboard, and Luminen AI is included with every Exposure Management licence. WithSecure's cloud attack path simulation combines Azure data with Entra ID identity data and device telemetry, so attack paths from Azure into office devices only become visible when those sources are also onboarded.

Which limitations should you know before buying?

The module assesses configuration only. It does not detect active attacks, protect Azure virtual machines against malware or respond to incidents; that is the job of an endpoint protection or XDR product. Current WithSecure documentation lists Azure and AWS as the supported cloud platforms, so Google Cloud Platform and on-premises servers are not covered. Onboarding requires an Azure administrator who can grant WithSecure's scanner application access to the subscriptions, so plan for someone with sufficient Azure rights. This listing is the Azure variant; if you also run AWS accounts, confirm before purchase that they are included in your subscription.

Frequently asked questions about WithSecure Elements Cloud Security Posture Management for Microsoft Azure

Is WithSecure a European vendor?

Yes. WithSecure, formerly F-Secure Business, is headquartered in Finland and operates under EU jurisdiction. It states that Elements is built and operated in Europe, with data processed under EU standards.

Can we stop our IT partner from accessing our Elements account?

Yes. When the first administrator account is created with the subscription key, there is an option to restrict partner access, so that only your own administrators can manage the product and see its findings.