A system and method for method for protecting cloud native environments based on cloud resource access. The method includes determining a mapping of a plurality of cloud assets to a plurality of cloud resources based on resource access data for a cloud native environment, wherein the plurality of cloud assets and the plurality of cloud resources are deployed in the cloud native environment, wherein each of the plurality of cloud assets is mapped to at least one associated cloud resource of the plurality of cloud resources; detecting at least one improper resource access based on the mapping and a cloud access security stream for the cloud native environment, wherein each of the at least one improper resource access deviates from the mapping; and performing at least one mitigation action with respect to the detected at least one improper resource access.