Your cloud security is at risk. How can you find the most effective CASB solutions?

1 Cloud environment

The first step is to understand your cloud environment and the types of services you use. Are you mainly using software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), or infrastructure as a service (IaaS)? Do you have a hybrid or multi-cloud strategy? How many users and devices access your cloud resources? These questions will help you narrow down your options and select a CASB solution that can support your cloud architecture and scale.

2 Security features

When evaluating CASB solutions, it's important to compare their security features and capabilities. Common functions include visibility, compliance, data security, threat protection, and identity and access management. Visibility includes discovering and classifying cloud assets, users, and activities. Compliance enforces standards and regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS. Data security protects data from unauthorized access with encryption, tokenization, masking, or data loss prevention (DLP). Threat protection detects and prevents malicious attacks with anomaly detection, behavioral analysis, or sandboxing. Identity and access management manages user identities and access rights with single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), or role-based access control (RBAC). Prioritize the CASB solutions that match your security objectives and requirements.

3 Deployment mode

The third step is to decide how you want to deploy your CASB solution, with four main deployment modes: API-based, proxy-based, hybrid, and agent-based. Each mode has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on your network configuration, performance, and compatibility. When selecting a CASB solution, make sure it offers the deployment mode that best suits your needs and preferences. API-based integration allows for monitoring of data and events in your cloud environment, while proxy-based acts as a proxy between users and cloud service providers to intercept traffic and requests. The hybrid mode combines both API-based and proxy-based modes for comprehensive coverage and flexibility. Agent-based solutions install agents on user devices to monitor data and activities in your cloud environment.

4 Integration and support

The fourth step is to check the integration and support options of different CASB solutions. You want a CASB solution that can seamlessly integrate with your existing security tools, such as firewalls, antivirus, SIEM, or IAM. You also want a CASB solution that can support your current and future cloud service providers, such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, or Salesforce. Additionally, you want a CASB solution that can provide you with reliable and responsive technical support, customer service, and updates. You should look for a CASB solution that has a strong reputation and track record in these areas.

5 Cost and value

The final step is to compare the cost and value of different CASB solutions. You want a CASB solution that can offer you the best return on investment (ROI) and the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO). You should consider the upfront and ongoing costs of the CASB solution, such as licensing fees, maintenance fees, or subscription fees. You should also consider the value and benefits of the CASB solution, such as improved security, compliance, efficiency, or productivity. You should choose a CASB solution that can deliver the most value for your budget and goals.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?