> 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/kubernetes-security/cloud-workload-policies-and-rules.md).

# Cloud workload policies and rules

Cloud workload policies and rules help you identify, manage, and prevent security violations in cloud workloads.

Rules define the criteria that identify a violation. Policies apply rules to a scope and define the response.

### Get started

1. Learn [how policies and rules work together](/kubernetes-security/cloud-workload-policies-and-rules/how-policies-and-rules-work-together.md).
2. Review [cloud workload policies](/kubernetes-security/cloud-workload-policies-and-rules/cloud-workload-policies.md).
3. Review [cloud workload rules](/kubernetes-security/cloud-workload-policies-and-rules/cloud-workload-rules.md).

### Manage policies

Use policies to define the scope, evaluation stage, and action for security violations.

* Explore the available [types of cloud workload policies](/kubernetes-security/cloud-workload-policies-and-rules/cloud-workload-policies/types-of-cloud-workload-policies.md).
* Learn how to [create a cloud workload policy](/kubernetes-security/cloud-workload-policies-and-rules/cloud-workload-policies/manage-cloud-workload-policies.md).
* Manage policies from the [Cloud workload policies page](/kubernetes-security/cloud-workload-policies-and-rules/cloud-workload-policies/cloud-workload-policies-page.md).

### Manage rules

Use rules to define the conditions that detect security violations.

* Review [default (pre-defined) rules](/kubernetes-security/cloud-workload-policies-and-rules/cloud-workload-rules/default-pre-defined-rules.md).
* Learn about [custom (user-defined) rules](/kubernetes-security/cloud-workload-policies-and-rules/cloud-workload-rules/custom-user-defined-rules.md).
* Manage rules from the [Cloud workload rules page](/kubernetes-security/cloud-workload-policies-and-rules/cloud-workload-rules/cloud-workload-rules-page.md).


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