Cloud Access Security Broker (or CASB, pronounced “Kaz-BEE”) solutions are complex software systems that act as automated security mediators between users and cloud service providers. Designed for businesses with users who access cloud-based data and services, a CASB blocks those users from accessing and installing unauthorized software as a service (SaaS) applications. Blocking users from unauthorized cloud apps with CASB helps to mitigate cybersecurity risks.
CASB is an acronym for “Cloud Access Security Broker,” a term first used by Gartner industry analysts in 2011. Due to the rapid adoption of cloud-based infrastructure such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and software as a service (SaaS) apps in the enterprise, CASB solutions were required by business IT leaders to automate the enforcement of consistent cybersecurity policies across multiple cloud service providers.
According to Gartner and other industry analysts, the majority of businesses use at least two different cloud service providers. Cloud services—whether they are custom line of business apps hosted in AWS or cloud-based productivity apps such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace—deliver agility to a business because these enterprise-grade services are available to anyone on-demand; sometimes without corporate IT knowing the services were in use at the company. The on-demand ease of procuring cloud services gave rise to users “shadow IT,” where users install unsanctioned software on company IT assets and thereby increase the attack surface hackers can use to access corporate IT systems.
A CASB solution protects businesses against these cybersecurity risks by blocking shadow IT installations and encrypting data if needed. In addition, a CASB can enforce a business’ specific data security and compliance policies to help mitigate accidental and intentional data leaks (known as “data loss prevention” or DLP) to and from the cloud. CASBs also act as an important line of defense for organizations with remote work and bring your own device (BYOD) policies, as the CASB extends security policies to employee devices connecting to corporate networks and multiple cloud resources from outside a corporate office, such as public WiFi, mobile internet via LTE and 5G, and home broadband.
At a high level, CASB solutions control business user access to cloud-based assets in three steps:
According to industry analysts at Gartner, there are three key criteria for selecting a CASB vendor:
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