There are several CASB solutions to choose from, but selecting the right one doesn’t have to be a hard decision. To make the right choice about which one is right for you, here are some things to look for.
Does it offer malware and phishing threat protection? Email phishing is one of the most common external threats for information systems. A disadvantage of cloud computing is the inherently porous nature of the public cloud. Attackers have also found creative ways to introduce malware and other threats to cloud environments by using file sharing, browser extensions, applications, and more.
It is a good idea to make sure the CASB you choose allows system administrators to easily identify risks within your cloud environment from all of these threat vectors. This way, you will also be able to quarantine and/or delete those risks fairly quickly - either automatically or manually depending on your custom system configurations.
Does it provide account management & security? Since user accounts can be easily compromised via internal or external threats, it is important to look for a CASB solution that includes good account management and security. When doing your research, pay attention to whether or not the solution
can detect different types of malicious or suspicious activity and alert the proper administrators immediately if needed. A reliable CASB will enable you to set up rules and policies that will lock down an account automatically if risky activities and behaviors are detected.
Does it include data security? Data security is extremely important for companies, especially with data theft being a huge concern. Data breaches can cause irreparable damages for your company and if your data is put at risk, you may end up dealing with identity theft, ransom threats, and possibly even worse. It is worth making sure that your CASB has a robust data loss prevention engine built in. If you implement the right CASB technology, it is easier for system administrators to secure sensitive information in order to prevent potential breaches.
Does the solution have unsanctioned cloud app discovery? You will be better off if the CASB you choose provides system admins with visibility into what cloud applications are linked to employees’ Google or Microsoft accountsת which will ultimately help you prevent things like shadow IT. Since many cloud applications are inherently risky, make sure that the CASB solution you decide on has the ability to flag such risky applications. In addition, the CASB solution should be able to determine an application’s risk profile using several methods, including the number of users who have sanctioned/unsanctioned the applications, the level and number of permissions granted, and other things like machine learning through third party vendors that have assessed the app.
Does the CASB have the network performance you are looking for? Depending on which type of CASB solution you choose - either API CASB or a proxy-based CASB - make sure to evaluate how it will affect your network. You don’t want it to slow down your network if you can prevent this. By default, because a proxy-based CASB works by placing a “middle man” in your cloud traffic, it unfortunately does create a network performance lag. With API CASBs, your network performance should remain intact.
Is it the best option for your budget? When you are considering different CASB options, select one that will work well with your budget. Also, don’t forget to consider other factors that can impact the cost of the product. It may benefit you to reach out to other potential customers who may be able to alert you to any hidden costs you may not have thought about, before making your final decision.
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco, Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks and others in Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASB). Updated: March 2024.
When protecting your data in the cloud, you can’t just rely on the expectation that the data centers that store your company’s information and records will protect you on their own, even though they offer a high level of security.
There are several CASB solutions to choose from, but selecting the right one doesn’t have to be a hard decision. To make the right choice about which one is right for you, here are some things to look for.
Does it offer malware and phishing threat protection?
Email phishing is one of the most common external threats for information systems. A disadvantage of cloud computing is the inherently porous nature of the public cloud. Attackers have also found creative ways to introduce malware and other threats to cloud environments by using file sharing, browser extensions, applications, and more.
It is a good idea to make sure the CASB you choose allows system administrators to easily identify risks within your cloud environment from all of these threat vectors. This way, you will also be able to quarantine and/or delete those risks fairly quickly - either automatically or manually depending on your custom system configurations.
Does it provide account management & security?
Since user accounts can be easily compromised via internal or external threats, it is important to look for a CASB solution that includes good account management and security. When doing your research, pay attention to whether or not the solution
can detect different types of malicious or suspicious activity and alert the proper administrators immediately if needed. A reliable CASB will enable you to set up rules and policies that will lock down an account automatically if risky activities and behaviors are detected.
Does it include data security?
Data security is extremely important for companies, especially with data theft being a huge concern. Data breaches can cause irreparable damages for your company and if your data is put at risk, you may end up dealing with identity theft, ransom threats, and possibly even worse. It is worth making sure that your CASB has a robust data loss prevention engine built in. If you implement the right CASB technology, it is easier for system administrators to secure sensitive information in order to prevent potential breaches.
Does the solution have unsanctioned cloud app discovery?
You will be better off if the CASB you choose provides system admins with visibility into what cloud applications are linked to employees’ Google or Microsoft accountsת which will ultimately help you prevent things like shadow IT. Since many cloud applications are inherently risky, make sure that the CASB solution you decide on has the ability to flag such risky applications. In addition, the CASB solution should be able to determine an application’s risk profile using several methods, including the number of users who have sanctioned/unsanctioned the applications, the level and number of permissions granted, and other things like machine learning through third party vendors that have assessed the app.
Does the CASB have the network performance you are looking for?
Depending on which type of CASB solution you choose - either API CASB or a proxy-based CASB - make sure to evaluate how it will affect your network. You don’t want it to slow down your network if you can prevent this. By default, because a proxy-based CASB works by placing a “middle man” in your cloud traffic, it unfortunately does create a network performance lag. With API CASBs, your network performance should remain intact.
Is it the best option for your budget?
When you are considering different CASB options, select one that will work well with your budget. Also, don’t forget to consider other factors that can impact the cost of the product. It may benefit you to reach out to other potential customers who may be able to alert you to any hidden costs you may not have thought about, before making your final decision.