Wiz vs Ermetic -- Cloud Security & CNAPP Compared

Wiz vs Ermetic

Ermetic (now Tenable Cloud Security) offers the deepest cloud identity security capabilities in the market, with granular CIEM analysis, automated least-privilege recommendations, and cross-cloud identity correlation. Wiz provides CIEM as part of its broader CNAPP platform but with less depth than Ermetic's dedicated identity focus. The choice depends on whether identity security is your primary concern (Ermetic) or you need a unified platform covering identity alongside posture, workloads, and data security (Wiz).

The Verdict

Choose Ermetic (Tenable Cloud Security) if cloud identity security is your primary concern and you need the deepest CIEM capabilities with automated least-privilege recommendations. Choose Wiz if you want a comprehensive CNAPP that covers identity alongside posture, workloads, containers, and data security in a unified platform.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureErmeticWiz
CIEM DepthBest-in-class dedicated CIEMStrong CIEM as part of CNAPP
Least-Privilege AutomationAdvanced auto-remediationGood recommendations
CSPMGood CSPM coverageBest-in-class CSPM
Workload ProtectionNot availableAgentless workload scanning
Container SecurityLimited container coverageFull container and K8s security
DSPMNot availableComprehensive DSPM
JIT AccessBuilt-in just-in-time accessNot included
Platform BreadthNarrow (identity-focused)Broad (full CNAPP)

When to Choose Each Tool

Choose Ermetic when:

  • +Cloud identity and entitlement management is your primary security challenge
  • +You need the deepest automated least-privilege recommendations and IAM analysis
  • +Cross-cloud identity correlation and toxic permission detection are critical
  • +You are already using Tenable products and want integrated cloud identity security
  • +Just-in-time access provisioning is a key workflow requirement

Choose Wiz when:

  • +You need a unified CNAPP covering CSPM, CWPP, CIEM, and DSPM in one platform
  • +Cloud posture management and misconfiguration detection are equally important as identity
  • +You want container and Kubernetes security alongside identity risk analysis
  • +Visual attack path analysis across all cloud risk domains is important
  • +You prefer a single vendor for comprehensive cloud security rather than a point solution

Pros & Cons Comparison

Ermetic

Pros

  • +Deepest CIEM capabilities with granular identity risk analysis
  • +Automated least-privilege recommendations reduce manual IAM remediation
  • +Strong cross-cloud identity correlation across AWS, Azure, and GCP
  • +Now part of Tenable, benefiting from broader vulnerability intelligence
  • +Effective at identifying toxic permission combinations

Cons

  • Narrower platform scope focused primarily on identity and posture
  • Being absorbed into Tenable Cloud Security may cause product direction uncertainty
  • Lacks workload protection and container security depth
  • No runtime detection or response capabilities
  • Smaller standalone market presence following acquisition

Wiz

Pros

  • +Agentless deployment scans entire cloud estate in minutes
  • +Security Graph surfaces toxic risk combinations that actually matter
  • +Unified platform covers CSPM, CWPP, CIEM, DSPM, and IaC scanning
  • +Intuitive UI with strong visualization of attack paths
  • +Rapid time-to-value with API-based cloud connector setup

Cons

  • Premium enterprise pricing puts it out of reach for smaller organizations
  • Agentless approach lacks real-time runtime protection capabilities
  • Limited on-premises and hybrid cloud coverage
  • Deep customization and policy authoring can require professional services
  • Vendor lock-in risk given proprietary platform architecture

Wiz vs Ermetic FAQ

Common questions about choosing between Wiz and Ermetic.

What is the main difference between Wiz and Ermetic?

Ermetic (now Tenable Cloud Security) offers the deepest cloud identity security capabilities in the market, with granular CIEM analysis, automated least-privilege recommendations, and cross-cloud identity correlation. Wiz provides CIEM as part of its broader CNAPP platform but with less depth than Ermetic's dedicated identity focus. The choice depends on whether identity security is your primary concern (Ermetic) or you need a unified platform covering identity alongside posture, workloads, and data security (Wiz).

Is Ermetic better than Wiz?

Choose Ermetic (Tenable Cloud Security) if cloud identity security is your primary concern and you need the deepest CIEM capabilities with automated least-privilege recommendations. Choose Wiz if you want a comprehensive CNAPP that covers identity alongside posture, workloads, containers, and data security in a unified platform.

How much does Ermetic cost compared to Wiz?

Ermetic pricing: Custom enterprise pricing (via Tenable). Wiz pricing: Custom enterprise pricing / Usage-based by cloud resources. Ermetic's pricing model is resource-based (per cloud identity), while Wiz uses resource-based (per cloud workload) pricing.

Can I migrate from Wiz to Ermetic?

Yes, you can migrate from Wiz to Ermetic. The migration process depends on your specific setup and the features you use. Both platforms offer APIs that can facilitate automated migration. Consider running both tools in parallel during the transition to ensure zero downtime.

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