In this article we talk about CASB, it’s pillars, and how the need for this service skyrocketed during COVID-19.

CASB, or Cloud Access Security Brokers, is a tool used to protect cloud-based data, applications, and services. By leveraging AI-driven techniques to examine user behavior, implementing CASB provides organizations with a powerful layer of security to protect against insider threats, data breaches, and malicious actors.

CASB technology works by analyzing all traffic to and from cloud environments and services, checking for potential threats constantly. It can also be used to quickly detect, stop, and respond to any suspicious activities taking place. By maintaining consistent visibility into cloud-based activities and operations, it helps to ensure compliance with security policies and industry regulations.

There are four main pillars of CASB that help to provide this security:
  1. Visibility: CASB provide visibility into the cloud environment, allowing organizations to see what data is being accessed, by whom, and from where. This can help identify security risks, such as unauthorized access or data leakage; and enables organizations to take action to mitigate these risks.
  2. Compliance: CASB can help organizations to ensure that they are complying with regulatory requirements, such as GDPR or HIPAA, by providing visibility into data usage and helping to enforce policies around data access and usage.
  3. Data Security: Implementing CASB help protect sensitive data in the cloud by providing granular access controls, data encryption, and activity monitoring. This helps prevent data breaches and ensure that sensitive information is accessed only by authorized users.
  4. Threat Protection: CASB can help protect against cyber threats by monitoring user behavior and activity, detecting and responding to threats in real-time, and blocking suspicious activity. This can help to prevent account hijacking, malware infections, and others.
How COVID-19 became a gateway for CASB Services

COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased the need for Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) solutions. With more and more employees working remotely and relying on cloud-based applications and services to carry out their work, organizations of all sizes have had to start implementing CASB solutions to secure their data and prevent cyber threats.

  • Increased use of cloud-based applications: The pandemic has caused a significant increase in the use of cloud-based applications and services, as more employees are working remotely. This resulted in a greater need for CASB solutions to monitor and manage access to cloud resources, ensuring they are being used securely and appropriately.
  • Lack of visibility and control: With employees working from home, businesses have less visibility and control over their IT environments. CASB solutions provide the necessary visibility and control to monitor and manage cloud usage, ensuring it is compliant with policies and regulations.
  • New and more sophisticated cyber threats: Cybercriminals have been quick to exploit the pandemic, launching more sophisticated cyber attacks that can bypass traditional security measures. CASB solutions help detect and prevent these threats by providing real-time monitoring and threat intelligence.
  • Compliance with data protection regulations: The pandemic has highlighted the importance of data protection regulations, such as the GDPR and CCPA. CASB solutions help businesses ensure compliance with these regulations, by providing visibility into data usage and enforcing security policies.
  • Limited resources and expertise: Small to medium businesses (SMBs) have been particularly vulnerable during the pandemic, as many of them lacked the resources to quickly adapt to the new remote work paradigm. This created a bigger need to equip themselves by protecting their data and systems from cyber threats.
Why CASB?

CASB solutions have helped organizations secure their data and applications in the cloud, while also meeting compliance requirements and protecting against cyber threats. As more businesses move their operations to the cloud, CASB solutions will continue to be an essential tool for protecting sensitive data and maintaining security and compliance.