Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)

What is a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)?

A Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) is a security solution that acts as an intermediary between an organization’s on-premises infrastructure and cloud service providers. CASBs are designed to provide visibility, control, and security for cloud-based applications and data, regardless of where they reside or how they are accessed. Essentially, CASBs extend an organization’s security perimeter to encompass cloud environments, enabling centralized management and enforcement of security policies.

The 4 Pillars of Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs)

• Visibility – CASBs offer comprehensive visibility into cloud usage and activities, providing organizations with insights into which cloud services are being used, by whom, and for what purposes. This visibility enables organizations to identify potential security risks, shadow IT usage, and compliance violations in their cloud environments.
• Data Security – CASBs help organizations protect sensitive data stored in the cloud by enforcing Data Loss Prevention (DLP)Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a comprehensive approach and set of technologies designed to prevent the unauthorized disclosure or leakage of sensitive and confidential information from an organization. policies, encryptionWhat is Encryption?Encryption converts readable data (plaintext) into a scrambled and unreadable format (ciphertext) using an algorithm and a key. The primary purpose of encryption is to ensure the confidentiality…, tokenizationWhat is Tokenization?Tokenization is a data security technique that replaces sensitive information with non-sensitive substitutes, known as tokens. These tokens are useless to cybercriminals as they do not hold any…, and access controls. They enable granular control over data access and usage, ensuring that only authorized users and devices can access and interact with sensitive information.
• Threat Protection – CASBs provide advanced threat detection and prevention capabilities to defend against a wide range of cyber threats, including malwareWhat is Malware?Malware, a portmanteau of “malicious software,” constitutes a broad category of software specifically designed to infiltrate, damage, or disrupt computer systems, networks, and devices without the user’s consent…, ransomwareWhat is Ransomware?Ransomware is a type of cyberattack in which the attacker infects a computer with malicious software that encrypts the victim’s data. The computer usually becomes locked, presenting a…, phishingWhat is Phishing?Phishing is a type of cyberattack in which attackers send fraudulent communications, or direct people to counterfeit websites in order to trick those individuals into revealing sensitive information,… attacks, and insider threats. They use anomaly detection, behavior analytics, and machine learningWhat is Machine Learning?Machine learning is a subset of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that involves the development of algorithms and models that enable computers to make predictions or decisions based on… techniques to identify and mitigate security threats in real time.
• Compliance Management – CASBs assist organizations in maintaining compliance with industry regulations and data protectionWhat is Data Protection?Data protection refers to the practice of safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. It involves implementing policies, procedures, and technologies to ensure that… laws by enforcing security policies and controls in accordance with regulatory requirements. They support compliance frameworks such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and SOC 2, helping organizations demonstrate adherence to security and privacy standards.

Types of Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs)

CASBs can be categorized into two main types based on deployment models:

• Proxy-based CASBs – Proxy-based CASBs intercept and inspect network traffic between users and cloud services, providing inline visibility and control over cloud activities. Proxy CASBs are typically deployed as a forward or reverse proxy within the organization’s network infrastructure.
• API-based CASBs – API-based CASBs integrate directly with cloud service provider APIs to gain visibility and control over cloud activities without requiring network traffic redirection. APIWhat is an API? An Application Programming Interface (API), is a set of definitions and protocols for building and integrating application software. They allow disparate products or services to communicate with… More CASBs are deployed as cloud-native solutions and offer seamless integration with cloud applications and services.

Benefits of Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs)

Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) are versatile cybersecurity solutions that offer a wide range of use cases to help organizations secure their cloud environments and data. Some common CASB use cases include:

• Data Loss Prevention (DLP) –CASBs help organizations prevent unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data by enforcing DLP policies across cloud services.
• Shadow IT Discovery and Control –CASBs provide visibility into unauthorized cloud services being used within an organization, known as shadow IT.
• Access Control and Identity Management –CASBs enforce access control policies based on user identities, roles, and contextual factors, such as device type and location.
• Malware Protection and Threat Detection –CASBs offer advanced threat protection capabilities to detect and prevent malware, ransomware, and other cyber threats targeting cloud environments.
• Encryption and Tokenization –CASBs provide data encryption and tokenization capabilities to protect sensitive data stored in the cloud.
• Cloud Application Discovery and Risk Assessment –CASBs help organizations discover and assess the security risks associated with cloud applications and services.
• Real-time Policy Enforcement –CASBs enable organizations to enforce granular security policies and real-time controls based on user activities, data classifications, and threat intelligence.
• Incident Response and Forensics –CASBs facilitate incident response and forensic investigations by providing detailed logs, alerts, and audit trails of cloud activities.
• Secure Collaboration and Data Sharing – CASBs enable secure collaboration and data sharing by enforcing encryption, access controls, and DLP policies across cloud collaboration platforms.

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