Palo Alto Networks Cortex Cloud: cloud security profile and facts (2026)
Visit Cortex Cloud's sitePalo Alto Networks Cortex Cloud
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* Not found on the pages we read; it may exist. Facts as the vendor states them on its own pages and marketplace listings, read September 2026, checked 3 Nov 2026. Not a measure of how well anything works.
Which categories does Cortex Cloud describe?
- Described on the vendor's pages we read
- Not in our sources (it may exist; we did not find it on the pages we read)
- CNAPPDescribed
Palo Alto Networks includes CNAPP at no additional cost for Cortex Cloud Runtime Security customers.
Source: Palo Alto Networks press release: Cortex Cloud introduced, read .
- CSPMDescribed
Cloud posture security lists CSPM with attack path analysis.
Source: Cortex Cloud posture security, read .
- CWPPDescribed
Runtime security with a performance-optimized agent.
Source: Cortex Cloud overview, read .
- CIEMDescribed
CIEM is listed under cloud posture security.
Source: Cortex Cloud posture security, read .
- DSPMDescribed
DSPM is listed under cloud posture security.
Source: Cortex Cloud posture security, read .
- Vulnerability managementDescribed
Vulnerability management is listed under cloud posture security, with SmartScore ranking.
Source: Cortex Cloud posture security, read .
The map shows what each vendor's own pages describe. It is not a measure of how well a feature works.
How does Cortex Cloud deploy?
| Fact | Cortex Cloud |
|---|---|
| Agent approach | Agentless parts, agent for depth Cortex Cloud documents agentless VM image scanning of cloud workloads; runtime protection uses its agent. Source: VM images assets, Cortex Cloud documentation, read . |
| Runtime sensor | A performance-optimized agent that stops attacks as they execute, plus CDR from the Cortex CDR merger. Source: Cortex Cloud overview, read . |
| Clouds named | AWS, Azure, GCP, OCI, Alibaba Cortex Cloud names AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, OCI and Alibaba Cloud for agentless, full-coverage visibility. Source: Cortex Cloud posture management, read . |
| Private cloud or on-premises | Not in our sources |
| Disconnected environments | Not in our sources |
What else does Cortex Cloud cover?
| Fact | Cortex Cloud |
|---|---|
| Code security | Application security is one of the platform's pillars, aimed at stopping risk before it reaches production. Source: Cortex Cloud overview, read . |
| AI security | AI-SPM maps models, datasets and agents, flags model poisoning and supply chain risk, and classifies data used for RAG. Source: Cortex Cloud AI-SPM, read . |
| Kubernetes runtime | Runtime agent and CDR are described; Kubernetes-specific controls are not detailed on the pages we read. Source: Cortex Cloud overview, read . |
| Compliance reporting | Maps posture against 18+ frameworks, such as PCI, HIPAA and GDPR. Source: Cortex Cloud posture management, read . |
| Public-sector authorization | Not in our sources |
| Open source | None named |
What does Cortex Cloud cost?
Not published Not published. The Cortex Cloud page offers only a demo request. CNAPP is included at no additional cost for Cortex Cloud Runtime Security customers.
Source: Cortex Cloud posture management, read .
Where is Cortex Cloud strong, and where are its limits?
Strengths and limits come from the vendor's own pages and our sources; a limit can be something we did not find.
Strengths
- Every category on this site is named on its posture and runtime pages: CSPM, CIEM, DSPM, vulnerability management and runtime security.
- Agentless VM image scanning of cloud workloads, with runtime protection through the Cortex agent.
- For Palo Alto Networks customers, CNAPP is included at no additional cost with Cortex Cloud Runtime Security.
Limits
- No public price; the Cortex Cloud page offers only a demo request.
What does Cortex Cloud say about itself?
No vendor figures are quoted on this profile.
What has Cortex Cloud announced recently?
1 Sep 2026
Palo Alto Networks acquired Console, an AI-native platform for resolving alerts, issues and requests, to deepen agentic capabilities in Cortex. Terms were not disclosed.
Source: Palo Alto Networks press release: Console acquisition, read .
Who should shortlist Cortex Cloud?
Consider Cortex Cloud if you already run Palo Alto Networks products or Prisma Cloud, or if you want agentless VM image scanning and are comfortable deploying an agent for runtime protection and CDR.
In our example finder profiles, Cortex Cloud is not in the first group; your own answers may differ.
Run the finder with your answersHow does Cortex Cloud compare with each other vendor?
Frequently asked questions
Does Cortex Cloud need an agent?
Agentless parts, agent for depth. Cortex Cloud documents agentless VM image scanning of cloud workloads; runtime protection uses its agent.
Which clouds does Cortex Cloud name?
AWS, Azure, GCP, OCI and Alibaba. Cortex Cloud names AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, OCI and Alibaba Cloud for agentless, full-coverage visibility.
Does Cortex Cloud publish its prices?
Not published. The Cortex Cloud page offers only a demo request. CNAPP is included at no additional cost for Cortex Cloud Runtime Security customers.