A Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) manages data flow across cloud platforms by acting as an intermediary between users and cloud services, enforcing security policies, and monitoring data movement. Here's how it works:
Data Discovery and Classification: CASBs identify sensitive data stored or transmitted across cloud platforms, such as personally identifiable information (PII) or intellectual property. For example, a CASB can scan files in cloud storage like Dropbox or Google Workspace to detect credit card numbers or health records.
Policy Enforcement: CASBs apply predefined security rules to control data access and sharing. For instance, if a company restricts sharing sensitive files outside the organization, the CASB can block such actions in real time.
Encryption and Tokenization: To protect data in transit or at rest, CASBs can encrypt files before they are uploaded to the cloud or tokenize sensitive fields (e.g., replacing Social Security numbers with random tokens).
Shadow IT Detection: CASBs monitor user activity to identify unauthorized cloud applications being used, ensuring compliance with corporate policies. For example, if employees use an unapproved file-sharing service, the CASB can flag or block it.
Threat Protection: CASBs detect and mitigate threats like malware or phishing attempts in cloud environments. If a user downloads a malicious file from a cloud app, the CASB can quarantine it.
Example: A company using multiple SaaS platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft 365, and Slack) deploys a CASB to ensure data security. The CASB enforces encryption for files shared in Slack, blocks unauthorized access to Salesforce data from unmanaged devices, and scans Microsoft 365 emails for phishing links.
For cloud security needs, Tencent Cloud offers Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) services, providing data protection, compliance management, and threat detection across multi-cloud environments.