Qualys Policy Audit
Cloud-native configuration compliance scanner that assesses OS, database, and cloud resources against CIS-certified and custom policies.
Technical Architecture & Overview
Qualys Policy Audit is a cloud-native module of the Qualys Enterprise TruRisk Platform. It assesses operating systems, databases, network devices, and server applications against CIS-certified and custom policies through the Qualys Cloud Agent or scanner appliances. It is sold by Qualys, Inc. as a subscription and is intended for enterprise compliance and hardening programs. Qualys migrated all customers from Policy Compliance to Policy Audit in January 2026.
Targeted Technical Use Cases
Organizations that already use Qualys or need a centralized, agent-based compliance scanner across hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructure.
Evaluation & Trade-offs
Core Strengths
- +Large library of certified compliance policies and controls.
- +Single Qualys Cloud Agent and scanner appliance architecture.
- +Integrates with VMDR and the Qualys TruRisk Platform.
Trade-Offs & Limitations
- -Requires a Qualys subscription with no self-hosted option.
- -Pricing is not public and is quote-based.
- -Less flexible for custom, non-standard control logic.
Defensive Security Application
Find and report configuration drift and policy violations so administrators can remediate hardened settings before they become exploitable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Qualys Policy Audit?→
Qualys Policy Audit is a cloud-native module of the Qualys Enterprise TruRisk Platform. It assesses operating systems, databases, network devices, and server applications against CIS-certified and custom policies through the Qualys Cloud Agent or scanner appliances. It is sold by Qualys, Inc. as a subscription and is intended for enterprise compliance and hardening programs. Qualys migrated all customers from Policy Compliance to Policy Audit in January 2026.
What is Qualys Policy Audit used for?→
Organizations that already use Qualys or need a centralized, agent-based compliance scanner across hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructure.
What are the strengths of Qualys Policy Audit?→
- +Large library of certified compliance policies and controls.
- +Single Qualys Cloud Agent and scanner appliance architecture.
- +Integrates with VMDR and the Qualys TruRisk Platform.
What are the limitations of Qualys Policy Audit?→
- +Requires a Qualys subscription with no self-hosted option.
- +Pricing is not public and is quote-based.
- +Less flexible for custom, non-standard control logic.
How is Qualys Policy Audit used defensively?→
Find and report configuration drift and policy violations so administrators can remediate hardened settings before they become exploitable.