Cloud Detection and Response (CDR) Explained

What is Cloud Detection and Response?

CDR (Cloud Detection and Response) is a cloud-native security category focused on detecting and responding to active threats in cloud environments. It combines signal from cloud control-plane logs (CloudTrail, Activity Log, Audit Logs), runtime workload telemetry (eBPF, agent-based), identity events, and network flow data — then correlates it into high-fidelity detections with automated response actions.

Think of CDR as the "R" that CNAPP, CSPM, and CWPP lack. CSPM finds misconfigurations before anyone exploits them; CDR catches someone actively exploiting cloud infrastructure right now.

CDR vs CNAPP vs CWPP vs SIEM

CDR overlaps most with SIEM — the distinction is cloud-native focus. CDR vendors ship pre-built cloud detections (TTP mapped to MITRE ATT&CK Cloud Matrix), native API-level response actions, and tight integration with cloud IAM. SIEM is broader but requires you to build the cloud content. See CSPM vs CNAPP vs CWPP.

How CDR Works

A typical CDR pipeline:

1. Collect — CloudTrail, VPC Flow Logs, GuardDuty, Kubernetes audit logs, eBPF workload events.
2. Normalize — map every signal into a common schema (ECS, OCSF, or vendor-specific).
3. Correlate — graph-based or ML-driven correlation across identity, network, and workload events.
4. Detect — pre-built TTPs (credential compromise, lateral movement, data exfiltration), plus custom detection rules.
5. Respond — automated actions: quarantine the workload, rotate the credential, revoke the IAM session, isolate the subnet.

AWS CDR, Azure, and GCP

CDR works across every major cloud, but AWS has the most mature detection catalogue because of CloudTrail's long history and GuardDuty finding coverage. Common AWS CDR detections:

• IAM credential compromise (new region, impossible travel).
• EC2 metadata service abuse / SSRF indicators.
• S3 mass deletion or encryption (ransomware).
• Lambda invocation anomalies.
• CloudTrail disabling (anti-forensics).
• Role assumption chains that reach crown-jewel accounts.

For Azure the equivalent signal comes from Entra sign-in logs + Activity Log; for GCP, Cloud Audit Logs + Security Command Center findings.

Best Cloud Detection and Response Software & Vendors

• TigerGate CDR — bundled with CSPM, CIEM, and eBPF runtime. See TigerGate CDR.
• Wiz Defend — Wiz's CDR add-on, strong CNAPP context.
• Sysdig Secure — runtime-first CDR via eBPF.
• CrowdStrike Falcon Cloud Security — cloud detection stitched into the broader Falcon platform.
• Google Chronicle + Security Command Center — strongest GCP-native story.
• Microsoft Defender for Cloud — strongest Azure-native story.
• Vectra AI — ML-driven detection with cloud + identity coverage.
• Lacework — pioneer in behavior-based cloud detection.

Cloud Detection and Response Pricing

CDR pricing is less transparent than CSPM. 2026 benchmarks:

• Workload-based: $30–$80 per workload / month.
• Account-based: $500–$5,000 per cloud account / month depending on size.
• Ingest-based: $0.50–$2 per GB of cloud log data, like SIEM pricing.

TigerGate CDR is bundled into usage-based platform pricing — no separate ingest fee.

Do You Need CDR If You Already Have a SIEM?

Yes, most teams do. The SIEM is excellent at log correlation but doesn't ship cloud-specific detections or native cloud response actions. Pair your SIEM with a CDR that handles the cloud-fabric detections, then forward CDR alerts into the SIEM for enterprise correlation. See SIEM tools comparison.

FAQ