As the use of software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications continues to grow, the need for effective security measures becomes more pressing. In the past, many organizations have relied on cloud access security brokers (CASB) to protect their SaaS environments. However, as we move into 2023, it's clear that CASB alone will not cut it in the face of the evolving threat landscape.
As the use of software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications continues to grow, the need for effective security measures becomes more pressing. In the past, many organizations have relied on cloud access security brokers (CASB) to protect their SaaS environments. However, as we move into 2023, it's clear that CASB alone will not cut it in the face of the evolving threat landscape.
What is a CASB?
A cloud access security broker, or CASB, is a type of software that provides an extra layer of security for organizations that use cloud services. A CASB sits between an organization's on-premises infrastructure and the cloud services it uses, acting as a gatekeeper to ensure that only authorized users and devices have access to the organization's data in the cloud.
Enforcing strong security settings keeps your teammates safe, wherever they are
One of the main benefits of using a CASB is that it allows organizations to enforce their security policies in the cloud. This is important because, when it comes to cloud services, organizations often don't have direct control over how their data is stored and accessed. A CASB allows organizations to set rules and restrictions for how their data can be used, giving them more control over their data even when it's in the cloud.
Another benefit of using a CASB is that it can provide visibility into how cloud services are being used within an organization. This is important because, without a CASB, it can be difficult for organizations to track who is accessing their data in the cloud and how it's being used. A CASB can provide organizations with real-time insights into how their data is being accessed and used, allowing them to quickly identify and respond to any potential security threats.
In addition to these benefits, a CASB can also provide organizations with additional security features such as encryption, malware protection, and data loss prevention. These features can help protect organizations from a variety of security threats, including data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other types of cyber attacks.
Adding an Extra Layer of Security with a Cloud Access Security Broker
CASB solutions provide visibility and control over cloud usage and activities, but they are not designed to evaluate the configuration of SaaS applications and ensure they continuously adhere to security policies and/or regulatory standards. This is where a SaaS security posture management (SSPM) solution like ThreatKey comes in.
CASB solutions provide visibility and control over cloud usage and activities, but they are not designed to evaluate the configuration of SaaS applications and ensure they continuously adhere to security policies and/or regulatory standards. This is where a SaaS security posture management (SSPM) solution like ThreatKey comes in.
ThreatKey is a next-generation SSPM platform that provides visibility into changes across your environment. Unlike traditional CASB solutions, ThreatKey evaluates the configuration of SaaS applications and ensures they continuously adhere to security policies and/or regulatory standards without the need of an agent. This means that organizations can prevent security breaches and maintain compliance with relevant regulations without having to install anything.
Agent based software, which requires host monitoring (like most CASB software), is inferior to an agentless approach for several reasons. Firstly, agent based software can be intrusive and resource-intensive, as it requires the installation of agents on each host that needs to be monitored. This can lead to performance issues, as the agents can consume a significant amount of CPU and memory resources.
Secondly, agent based software is not scalable, as it requires the installation of agents on each host that needs to be monitored. This can be time-consuming and cumbersome, particularly in large environments where there are hundreds or thousands of hosts.
Thirdly, agent based software is not always reliable, as the agents can fail or become unresponsive, leading to gaps in monitoring and potential security vulnerabilities.
Cloud Security Simplified: The Benefits of an Agentless Approach
An agentless approach, however, does not require the installation of agents on hosts, and therefore does not suffer from the same performance and scalability issues. Additionally, an agentless approach is generally more reliable, as it does not rely on the health of agents for monitoring and security. Overall, an agentless approach offers a more efficient and effective way to monitor and secure environments.
While CASBs provide visibility and control over cloud usage and activities, they miss critical data happening off of agent-based hosts, leading to gaps in monitored security posture.
SaaS security posture management (SSPM) tools, on the other hand, provide visibility and control within SaaS applications through native connections. This means that they can monitor user access controls, encryption, and data leakage protection, ensuring that these elements are properly configured and maintained, even if a user is not actively engaging with the SaaS platform. By doing so, SSPM tools help organizations prevent security breaches and maintain compliance with relevant regulations.
In contrast, CASBs do not provide this degree of visibility and control within SaaS applications, and therefore miss important elements such as user access controls, encryption settings, and data loss protections. This leaves organizations vulnerable to security breaches and non-compliance with regulations. Overall, SSPM tools provide a more comprehensive and effective way to protect and manage SaaS environments.
It's clear that CASB solutions are no longer sufficient in the face of advanced cyber threats. In 2023 and beyond, organizations need a comprehensive SaaS security posture management solution like ThreatKey to protect against APTs and zero-day attacks, while also ensuring compliance with security policies and/or regulatory standards. Don't settle for outdated security measures – choose ThreatKey for the best protection and posture management in the industry.
