Best Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) Software
Cloud access security broker (CASB) software is used to provide a layer of protection and policy enforcement for employees accessing cloud-based software. CASB serves as a gateway through which companies can enforce their security requirements beyond on-premise and secure connections between employees and cloud service providers. Companies use CASB software to reduce risks related to cloud applications and network connections while simultaneously monitoring actions and behaviors.
CASB solutions are also used to identify abnormal behaviors from internal actors and then alert administrators of potential shadow IT and noncompliant behaviors. These tools typically monitor and record the actions taken by an individual using the CASB, who can leverage the data collected for behavioral analysis and reporting.
To qualify for inclusion in the Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) category, a product must:
Best Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) Software At A Glance
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- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
At Forcepoint, we understand the transformation our customers currently face. A cloud-based security reality is a journey. And we’re thoroughly committed to helping our customers make it. Forcepoint
- Information Technology and Services
- Computer & Network Security
- 51% Enterprise
- 37% Mid-Market
67,653 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Palo Alto Networks Prisma® Access protects the hybrid workforce with the superior security of ZTNA while providing exceptional user experiences from a simple, unified security product. Purpose-built
- Information Technology and Services
- 45% Enterprise
- 34% Mid-Market
127,182 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Netskope is the leader in cloud security — we help the world’s largest organizations take advantage of cloud and web without sacrificing security. Our Cloud XD™ technology targets and controls activit
- Information Technology and Services
- Computer & Network Security
- 61% Enterprise
- 30% Mid-Market
11,136 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Cloudflare Area 1 is a cloud-native email security platform that identifies and blocks attacks before they hit user inboxes, enabling more effective protection against spear phishing, Business Email C
- Information Technology and Services
- Computer & Network Security
- 37% Small-Business
- 34% Mid-Market
213,974 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
SonicWall Cloud App Security offers next-gen security for your users and data within cloud applications, including email, messaging, file sharing and file storage. For organizations adopting SaaS appl
- Information Technology and Services
- 52% Mid-Market
- 13% Enterprise
30,057 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Cato provides the world’s leading single-vendor SASE platform. Cato creates a seamless and elegant customer experience that effortlessly enables threat prevention, data protection, and timely incident
- Information Technology and Services
- Financial Services
- 63% Mid-Market
- 23% Small-Business
12,073 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
- Information Technology and Services
- Computer & Network Security
- 40% Mid-Market
- 36% Small-Business
152,047 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is an enterprise-grade security for cloud apps.
- Information Technology and Services
- Financial Services
- 47% Enterprise
- 22% Mid-Market
14,052,965 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Symantec Web Security Service (WSS) provides the same proactive web protection capabilities delivered by the market’s leading on-premises Secure Web Gateway, Symantec ProxySG, but delivered as a resil
- Information Technology and Services
- Computer Software
- 42% Enterprise
- 24% Small-Business
59,531 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Zscaler global cloud delivers the entire gateway security stack as a service. By securely connecting users to their applications, regardless of device, location, or network, Zscaler is transforming en
- Computer & Network Security
- Information Technology and Services
- 44% Enterprise
- 19% Small-Business
16,396 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Citrix Workspace Essentials provides a comprehensive, zero-trust approach to deliver secure and contextual access to corporate internal web apps, SaaS, and virtual applications. With Citrix Workspace
- Financial Services
- Information Technology and Services
- 67% Enterprise
- 25% Mid-Market
205,920 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Citrix Secure Workspace Access provides a comprehensive, zero-trust approach to deliver secure and contextual access to the corporate internal web apps, SaaS, and virtual applications. It enables the
- Information Technology and Services
- Computer Software
- 48% Enterprise
- 24% Mid-Market
205,920 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Check Point Harmony Email & Collaboration, protects enterprise data by preventing targeted attacks on SaaS applications and cloud-based email.
- Information Technology and Services
- Financial Services
- 50% Mid-Market
- 36% Enterprise
71,291 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
- Information Technology and Services
- 45% Small-Business
- 34% Mid-Market
4,215 Twitter followers
- Overview
- Pros and Cons
- User Satisfaction
- Seller Details
Prisma SaaS looks directly into SaaS applications, providing full visibility into the activities of users and data while granular controls maintain policy to eliminate data exposure and threat risks.
- Computer & Network Security
- 35% Mid-Market
- 29% Enterprise
127,182 Twitter followers
Learn More About Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) Software
What is Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) Software?
Cloud access security broker (CASB) technology secures data stored within or processed by cloud-based applications, typically software as a service (SaaS) solutions. Cloud security access brokers focus on protecting cloud applications. Users of CASB can launch and access their cloud applications in a secured environment.These tools utilize multiple security technologies that help prevent unapproved parties from accessing applications while also preventing data loss and data breaches. They provide a single, secure location for users to access applications. Many platforms support single sign-on for easier access once operating in the CASB environment.
Some CASB tools provide users with a sandboxed environment. The sandbox is a resource-isolated working environment that ensures files and data are transferred directly to the cloud application provider. Other CASB tools utilize firewall and malware detection features, along with security policy enforcement mechanisms to protect information connected to SaaS applications.
These tools can be utilized across devices and operated locally, regardless of the user’s physical location. Individual users can be isolated and cut off from the network. These tools can function across a variety of SaaS applications and software vendors. They can be integrated directly or chosen from a marketplace. Many tools have centralized access through a single sign-on portal. Users can log in to a secure portal and have access to all of the cloud applications they use.
Key Benefits of CASB Software
- Improves cloud application and data security
- Simplifies management to improve compliance-related operations
- Improves identity management and user governance
- Increases visibility of users, activities, and anomalies
Why Use Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) Software?
These tools make it easier for businesses to provide secure access to cloud-based applications for their employees. Almost all the benefits of using a CASB system pertain to information security. The majority of benefits can be classified into three categories: threat protection, data security, and governance.
Threat protection — Threats come in multiple forms and CASB products are prepared to defend against them from any direction. Common threat protection features are designed to prevent phishing, malware, account takeover, and malicious content. Phishing can be prevented by securing cloud-based email applications. Malicious attachments and urls can be flagged or sent to spam. Malware can come from emails, downloads or any other kind of malicious content; if malware is present, CASB software can alert users and prevent them from engaging with it. Account takeover can be discovered by monitoring functionality designed to detect abnormal behavior, policy violations, and unexpected configuration changes.
Data security and loss prevention — All data requires security, but some information requires more protection than others. CASB tools help users discover sensitive data within cloud-based applications. Most CASB tools allow for user permission policy enforcement, this helps prevent unauthorized parties from viewing or downloading sensitive information. Many sensitive datasets require increased encryption; these files must be classified as such and CASB solutions will enforce stronger encryption and anomaly monitoring on those specific files.
Governance and compliance — Compliance goes hand in hand with data security and loss prevention. However, increased visibility is a key benefit of CASB solutions. This makes it easier to discover non-compliant datasets and audit systems for policy requirements. They improve a company’s ability to delegate user permissions, enforce security policies and alert security teams of both cloud-based and insider threats.
What are the Common Features of Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) Software?
Single sign-on (SSO) — SSO features provide a single access point for users to access multiple cloud products without multiple logins. This reduces the time users spend finding applications and logging onto them, improving productivity and user experience.
User analytics — User analytics and monitoring allow companies to view and document individual behaviors and report suspicious activities. They can also alert security teams to compromised accounts by flagging anomalous behaviors.
Cloud gap analytics — Cloud gap analysis features examine data associated with denied entries and policy violations. This helps provide security teams with information that can be used to improve authentication and security protocols.
Anomaly detection — Anomaly detection identifies abnormal behavior by monitoring activity related to user behavior and comparing it to benchmarked patterns.
Cloud registry — Cloud registries provide a list or marketplace of SaaS applications compatible with a CASB solution. Users can access this list to explore integrations or new applications.
Mobile device management (MDM) — MDM functionality offers users the ability to set standards for types of mobile devices and networks capable of accessing data. This allows security teams to customize access requirements and permissions of off-premise and mobile device users.
Access control — Access control features typically refers to support of lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP). This simplifies an administrator’s ability to edit or update application availability and information access.
Data encryption — Data encryption features might refer to data-centric policy enforcement for sensitive information or encompassing encryption for any information stored or accessed through the CASB system.
