CASBs are software tools or services that examine cloud traffic and extend the reach of enterprise security policies. They can be deployed as proxies or API brokers. Today, enterprises must be able to identify all usage across their cloud applications, including unsanctioned or Shadow IT use outside of authorized services and beyond the security team’s visibility.
Authentication
Cloud access security brokers (CASBs) help organizations enforce authentication policies to restrict access to applications and data stored in the cloud. CASBs also use user behavior patterns to identify suspicious activity that could indicate an attack.
In addition, CASBs can also work in conjunction with existing identity-as-a-service (IDaaS) or single sign-on (SSO) solutions to enable more granular and risk-based authentication across multiple cloud services and assets. It allows for more granular controls over access to cloud resources while a user is on-duty.
Shadow IT detection is another critical benefit of CASB security. It includes hardware devices connected to the network that the organization’s IT infrastructure does not authorize. It can be an innocent user connecting a laptop to the network and a malicious attacker connecting a USB device containing ransomware or another type of malware.
CASBs use monitoring to detect unauthorized connections and uploads of malicious files and other unusual activities. It can be accomplished using a combination of user attributes, such as IP address, browser, operating system, device and location.
CASBs must help the organization comply with regulations and standards as well as protect data privacy. It can include protecting customer information, such as names, addresses and phone numbers. Moreover, it can be used to prevent data theft or leaks. CASBs should also identify risks associated with specific cloud services and provide remediation options when needed.
Encryption
Encryption is a security technology that protects digital data to prevent unauthorized parties from reading it. It is a crucial part of corporate data security as it ensures that sensitive information is not exposed to outsiders or fraudsters. CASBs use encryption to protect enterprise systems from cyberattacks, as well as ensure the confidentiality of sensitive data and data streams. They also help to keep data secure as it moves to and from third-party cloud environments. Security is an ongoing concern in the cloud, especially with BYOD (bring your device) policies and Shadow IT (unsanctioned use of devices, software or services). Businesses must be able to enforce granular access policies to protect corporate data across managed and unmanaged endpoints.
The best CASBs can consolidate multiple types of security policy enforcement into one central hub, including authentication, single sign-on (SSO), credential mapping, authorization, device profiling, encryption, tokenization, alerting, malware detection and prevention, and more. They can also provide visibility into all user activities, sanctioned and unsanctioned. CASBs also help companies monitor and maintain compliance requirements by integrating a variety of standards and regulatory requirements, including HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR.
Visibility
Visibility, in cybersecurity, is the ability to see and understand how users access cloud services. With visibility, businesses can guarantee that they are securing corporate data and meeting compliance requirements.
Large enterprises are finding that many employees are accessing apps from various cloud settings and devices as more and more applications are being transferred to the cloud. It poses challenges for IT managers.
CASB helps to mitigate these risks by providing comprehensive visibility into how employees use cloud apps, their device information, and location data. It allows a CASB to assess the risk level of each application in use and determine whether to allow or block it. This data is also used to shape more granular controls, such as allowing specific files or restricting them to certain users, devices, locations, and job functions.
In addition to visibility, a CASB solution provides security professionals with insight into cloud usage that other security tools may have missed. It helps to protect users, confidential data, and intellectual property from malware, ransomware, and other threats.
CASB is a critical component of any IT security strategy and is vital to securing sensitive user data in the cloud. Fortunately, there are many CASB solutions on the market today that can help meet this crucial requirement. However, before selecting a CASB, enterprises should identify their specific use cases and establish a CASB solution that addresses them effectively.
Access Control
Cloud access security brokers (CASBs) help organizations increase visibility and control over sensitive data and applications across all of their cloud services, including Microsoft Office 365, Box, Google G Suite and more. They monitor cloud usage, enforce security policies and identify Shadow IT behaviors that IT teams may not be able to see.
CASBs use a combination of gateways, log data and agents to determine what applications users are using and how they’re sharing data. This information helps CASB to classify each application and determine its risk level.
A CASB also helps to enforce a user access policy so that employees can only use apps that meet corporate standards and are appropriate for their roles. It does this through a series of controls, including authentication and authorization, that work to keep users within the boundaries set by your organization’s cybersecurity team.
Unlike firewalls, which block and filter traffic, a CASB provides granular visibility into cloud environments and allows you to manage access by identity, service, activity or data. This type of fine control can help your company prevent malware, ransomware and other threats as they’re discovered.
CASBs can also help your organization meet a variety of compliance regulations, such as HIPAA, GDPR and PCI-DSS. These regulations are essential for protecting your organization’s data and ensuring the integrity of the data it stores.
