Wiz vs Lacework -- Cloud Security & CNAPP Compared

Wiz vs Lacework

Lacework differentiates through its Polygraph behavioral analytics engine that builds behavioral baselines and detects anomalies automatically, offering a fundamentally different approach to cloud threat detection compared to Wiz's graph-based risk analysis. Wiz excels at identifying misconfigurations and toxic risk combinations through its Security Graph, while Lacework excels at detecting runtime behavioral anomalies and reducing alert fatigue through machine learning.

The Verdict

Choose Lacework if behavioral analytics and automated anomaly detection are your primary cloud security strategy and you want to minimize alert fatigue through ML-driven detection. Choose Wiz if you need the best-in-class CSPM, visual attack path analysis, and a fully agentless platform that delivers comprehensive cloud risk visibility in hours.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureLaceworkWiz
Detection ApproachBehavioral analytics (Polygraph)Graph-based risk correlation
Alert FatigueLow (anomaly-based, ML-driven)Low (toxic combination filtering)
CSPMGood CSPM coverageBest-in-class CSPM
Runtime DetectionStrong behavioral runtime detectionLimited (snapshot-based)
DeploymentAgent + agentless hybridFully agentless
CIEMBasic identity risk analysisFull CIEM with entitlement management
ComplianceStrong compliance frameworksStrong compliance frameworks
Time-to-ValueDays to weeks (baseline learning)Hours (API-based scanning)

When to Choose Each Tool

Choose Lacework when:

  • +Behavioral anomaly detection and reducing alert fatigue are top priorities
  • +You want automated threat detection that learns normal behavior without manual rules
  • +Runtime behavioral monitoring of cloud workloads is a critical requirement
  • +Your team is overwhelmed by rule-based alerts and needs ML-driven prioritization
  • +You prefer a data-driven approach to cloud security over configuration scanning

Choose Wiz when:

  • +You need comprehensive misconfiguration and posture management across cloud providers
  • +Visual attack path analysis through Security Graph is important for your workflow
  • +Agentless deployment with zero operational overhead is a requirement
  • +You need the strongest CIEM and DSPM capabilities in a unified platform
  • +Rapid time-to-value matters more than behavioral learning warm-up time

Pros & Cons Comparison

Lacework

Pros

  • +Polygraph behavioral analytics reduces alert fatigue significantly
  • +Automated baseline learning requires minimal manual tuning
  • +Strong anomaly detection catches novel threats that rules miss
  • +Good container and Kubernetes security coverage
  • +Effective compliance reporting for frameworks like SOC 2, PCI, HIPAA

Cons

  • Behavioral model requires warm-up period to establish accurate baselines
  • Smaller company with less ecosystem momentum than Wiz
  • Agent required for some workload protection features
  • Less intuitive UI compared to Wiz's Security Graph visualization
  • Feature breadth narrower than comprehensive CNAPP platforms

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 Lacework FAQ

Common questions about choosing between Wiz and Lacework.

What is the main difference between Wiz and Lacework?

Lacework differentiates through its Polygraph behavioral analytics engine that builds behavioral baselines and detects anomalies automatically, offering a fundamentally different approach to cloud threat detection compared to Wiz's graph-based risk analysis. Wiz excels at identifying misconfigurations and toxic risk combinations through its Security Graph, while Lacework excels at detecting runtime behavioral anomalies and reducing alert fatigue through machine learning.

Is Lacework better than Wiz?

Choose Lacework if behavioral analytics and automated anomaly detection are your primary cloud security strategy and you want to minimize alert fatigue through ML-driven detection. Choose Wiz if you need the best-in-class CSPM, visual attack path analysis, and a fully agentless platform that delivers comprehensive cloud risk visibility in hours.

How much does Lacework cost compared to Wiz?

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

Can I migrate from Wiz to Lacework?

Yes, you can migrate from Wiz to Lacework. 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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