• Contact Us

    We will get back to you as soon as possible.

  • We do not collect personal information except to the extent you provide that information to use through email, your web browser or through our contact forms. We will not share, sell or otherwise provide non-public information to others without your consent.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

  • We do not collect personal information except to the extent you provide that information to use through email, your web browser or through our contact forms. We will not share, sell or otherwise provide non-public information to others without your consent.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Different Types of CASB Solutions
Published on April 4, 2023
CASB, Solutions

Exploring the Different Types of CASB Solutions

Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) solutions are essential for organizations looking to secure their data in the cloud. These solutions provide visibility and control over the use of cloud services, ensuring that sensitive data is protected from potential threats. In this blog, we’ll explore the different types of CASB solutions available and their unique features. CASB solutions work as a gatekeeper between on-premises infrastructure and cloud services to monitor and govern how data is accessed or moved to cloud applications.

Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) Solutions: A Comprehensive Guide

In the digital age, a vast amount of data is generated every second, making it imperative to secure it. With the advent of cloud computing, organizations have migrated their data and applications to the cloud. However, the shift to the cloud has brought its own set of security concerns.

Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) solutions have emerged as the go-to resource for organizations looking to secure their data in the cloud. CASB solutions provide visibility and control over the use of cloud services, protecting sensitive data and preventing potential threats. In this blog, we will explore the different types of CASB solutions available and their unique features.

Unique Features of CASB Solutions

CASB solutions provide a range of unique features to ensure that data is secure in the cloud.

  • Visibility: CASBs provide visibility into what cloud services are being used, and by whom. It enables organizations to identify any potential data leakage and protect data against breaches.
  • Control: CASBs enable organizations to enforce policies that align with compliance and data protection regulations. It makes it easy to apply controls across multiple cloud services.
  • Threat Protection: CASBs protect against various types of cloud-based threats. It includes malware, data breaches, phishing attacks, and server-side request forgery (SSRF) attacks.
  • Data Protection: CASBs help protect sensitive data in the cloud by providing encryption, tokenization, and data loss prevention (DLP) capabilities.

Types of CASB Solutions

There are four different types of CASB solutions available:

  • API-Based
  • Reverse Proxy
  • Forward Proxy
  • Built-In.

Proxy-based CASB Solutions

Proxy-based CASB solutions act as a proxy between the user and the cloud service provider, providing the necessary security controls to ensure that sensitive data is not exposed. This solution has the advantage of providing visibility into all cloud traffic, including unsanctioned applications.

Forward Proxy

A forward proxy sits between the user and the internet, adding an additional layer of security. This type of CASB solution enables visibility and control over outbound web traffic, enabling compliance with data protection regulations. Forward Proxy CASBs are beneficial for companies looking to ensure that their employees adhere to security policies.

Reverse Proxy

The reverse proxy filters incoming traffic and sends it to the appropriate servers (or services). A reverse proxy CASB solution can provide similar protection to the forward proxy, but it employs slightly different technical approaches.

API-based CASB Solutions

The API-based CASB solution is the most traditional type of solution on the market. It’s designed to integrate with cloud providers’ APIs to ensure that data is handled and monitored according to security policies. It enables auditing of cloud services, granular enforcement policies, threat protection, and data protection. API-based CASBs are the preferred choice for SaaS applications.

API and Proxy based CASB solutions combine the security measures of the traditional API-based solution and the visibility of proxy-based solutions. These CASB solutions balance the security requirements of an organization with the need to have cloud service accessibility.

The API-based CASB solution is a powerful tool for enterprises looking to take control over their cloud usage.

In-line CASB solutions are designed to be deployed between an organization’s network and the cloud service provider’s network. This solution provides real-time data protection, performing security checks, and blocking any unsanctioned activity.

Conclusion

As cloud services become more widespread, protecting data stored in the cloud has become a top priority for many organizations. There are many different types of CASB solutions available to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes. Each CASB solution has its own unique features, enabling organizations to select the best-suited solution for their specific security requirements. By investing in CASB solutions, organizations can secure their data in the cloud while still enjoying the many benefits of cloud computing.

Let us know what CASB solutions have worked best for you.

Warmest Regards | Shawn May

Additional References:

  • https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/cloud-access-security-brokers-casbs
  • https://www.netskope.com/security-defined/what-is-casb
  • https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/security-101/what-is-a-cloud-access-security-broker