> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xsiam/cloud-security/rules-and-policies/cloud-security-rules-and-policies.md).

# Cloud security rules and policies

Learn how cloud security rules and policies detect threats and misconfigurations across your Cortex XSIAM environment.

{% hint style="info" %}
Requires a Cloud Posture Security, Cloud Runtime Security or Cortex XSIAM Premium license.
{% endhint %}

Cloud security rules and policies are part of the Cortex Cloud posture management framework. Your cloud security administrators and application security practitioners can use cloud security rules and policies to define and manage security guardrails consistently across AWS, Azure, GCP, and other cloud providers. They can use them to define detections for specific environments when specific conditions occur so that findings and issues related to threats or misconfigurations are generated and can be addressed.

### This topic includes the following information:

* [Cloud security rules](/cortex-xsiam/cloud-security/rules-and-policies/cloud-security-rules-and-policies/cloud-security-rules.md)
* [Cloud security policies](/cortex-xsiam/cloud-security/rules-and-policies/cloud-security-rules-and-policies/cloud-security-policies.md)
* [Create and manage cloud security rules](/cortex-xsiam/cloud-security/rules-and-policies/cloud-security-rules-and-policies/create-and-manage-cloud-security-rules.md)
* [Create and manage cloud security policies](/cortex-xsiam/cloud-security/rules-and-policies/cloud-security-rules-and-policies/create-and-manage-cloud-security-policies.md)


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xsiam/cloud-security/rules-and-policies/cloud-security-rules-and-policies.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
