Audit, configuration & compliance
AWS Audit Manager vs Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager / Defender for Cloud CSPM (Foundational and Defender CSPM)
AWS Audit Manager maps to Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager and the regulatory compliance dashboard in Defender for Cloud.
Audit Manager is in maintenance mode, and since April 30, 2026 it can't be set up in new accounts.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Amazon Web Services | Microsoft Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Service | AWS Audit Manager Maintenance | Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager Defender for Cloud CSPM (Foundational and Defender CSPM) |
| Lifecycle | In maintenance mode and no longer open to new customers. Since April 30, 2026, it can't be set up in new accounts, and existing customers can't extend it to new Regions or organizations. | Generally available Generally available |
| What it is | Continuously collects evidence from AWS services and maps it to control frameworks such as SOC 2, PCI DSS, and HIPAA for audit-ready reports. | Pre-built and custom assessments for regulations and standards, with improvement actions and a compliance score (available assessments depend on licensing). Posture management. Free Foundational CSPM gives secure score and Microsoft Cloud Security Benchmark recommendations, and paid Defender CSPM adds attack paths, the security explorer, agentless scanning, and regulatory compliance standards. |
| Pricing model | Per resource assessment (existing customers only). | Regulatory compliance standards beyond the Microsoft Cloud Security Benchmark need Defender CSPM. Compliance Manager is licensed through Microsoft 365 or Purview plans. |
| Docs | AWS Audit Manager docs | Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager docs Defender for Cloud CSPM (Foundational and Defender CSPM) docs |
| Pricing page | AWS Audit Manager pricing | Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager pricing Defender for Cloud CSPM (Foundational and Defender CSPM) pricing |
| Exams | SCS-C03 | SC-500 SC-100 |
Key differences
- Evidence. Audit Manager automatically collected evidence from Config, Security Hub, and CloudTrail into assessments. On Azure, Defender for Cloud regulatory compliance maps resource assessments to standards, and Compliance Manager tracks improvement actions and a compliance score.
- AWS alternatives. For new AWS customers, Security Hub CSPM standards and Config conformance packs cover much of the control-checking side.
Pricing summary
Pricing models only. No prices are quoted because they change by region and over time.
- AWS
- Per resource assessment (existing customers only). AWS Audit Manager pricing →
- Azure
- Regulatory compliance standards beyond the Microsoft Cloud Security Benchmark need Defender CSPM. Compliance Manager is licensed through Microsoft 365 or Purview plans. Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager pricing → Defender for Cloud CSPM (Foundational and Defender CSPM) pricing →
Certification exam mapping
| Exam | Provider | Level | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Certified Security – Specialty SCS-C03 | AWS | Specialty | current The current code (SCS-C03) is taken from the exam-prep link on the official certification page. Simplified Chinese, Spanish (Latin America), and Portuguese (Brazil) versions retire after Dec 31, 2026. |
| Microsoft Certified – Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate SC-500 | Azure | Associate | current New certification. A practice assessment isn't available yet, which the page says usually means the exam recently left (or is in) beta. |
| Microsoft Certified – Cybersecurity Architect Expert SC-100 | Azure | Expert | current English version updated Oct 21, 2026. |
Relevance is based on each exam's published scope, not a line-by-line objective match. Check the official study guide.
Verification notes
- AWS Audit Manager is in maintenance mode. Existing setups keep working, but there are no new frameworks, Regions, or accounts.
FAQ
What is the Azure equivalent of AWS Audit Manager?
AWS Audit Manager maps to Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager and the regulatory compliance dashboard in Defender for Cloud. Audit Manager is in maintenance mode, and since April 30, 2026 it can't be set up in new accounts.
How does pricing compare between AWS Audit Manager and Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager and Defender for Cloud CSPM (Foundational and Defender CSPM)?
AWS: Per resource assessment (existing customers only). Azure: Regulatory compliance standards beyond the Microsoft Cloud Security Benchmark need Defender CSPM. Compliance Manager is licensed through Microsoft 365 or Purview plans. Check the official pricing pages for current rates.
Which certification exams cover this topic?
AWS Certified Security – Specialty (SCS-C03); Microsoft Certified – Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate (SC-500); Microsoft Certified – Cybersecurity Architect Expert (SC-100).