Modern technology is constantly evolving to meet the needs and demands of the business world, which requires constant efficiency, collaboration, and security. Software as a Service (SaaS) applications have played an important role in production and collaboration capabilities, but the benefits of cloud computing have further improved the user experience. However, the cloud presents organizations with many new security challenges as a result. As a result, organizations must prioritize protecting their most sensitive information in cloud domains from numerous security threats, but this is not without its challenges.
Security for cloud applications is further complicated by the lack of clearly defined boundaries. The trend of hybrid working and multi-cloud environments has broken this down, removing all the oversight and control that security teams previously had when an individual was working from one location. Not surprisingly, the traditional security tools used in the past are now effectively obsolete and unable to address these new challenges.
In an effort to address this general problem, some organizations are choosing to leverage cloud access security brokers (CASBs) to reduce cloud security risks. While this is certainly desirable, organizations must understand that selecting the right CASB for their environment is an equally important task. Ideally, organizations should follow recommended best practices to ensure the protection of data within SaaS applications.
Guidance 1: Understand the cloud ecosystem
The cloud landscape has changed dramatically in recent years and is continually evolving. Ten years ago, enterprises were using only a few cloud applications. Modern enterprises now use hundreds of cloud apps, necessitating a CASB product that can enforce policies across the network. However, to effectively protect against cloud-based threats, it is important for organizations to take the time to understand the landscape of their cloud environments. Although SaaS applications are usually in the spotlight, it is equally important to identify how data storage solutions such as Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform are utilized. Therefore, a CASB solution must include functionality that includes protection of these repositories.
News cycles regularly feature data breaches and leaks from misconfigured cloud apps and data repositories. Therefore, the CASB must also have the ability to identify and correct these misconfigurations to meet the organization’s security standards.
Guidance 2: Is there expanded visibility?
In particular, there are many ways that cybercriminals can threaten sensitive data. Notably, cybercriminals are not limited to her SaaS apps. In the modern era of remote and hybrid work, threat actors seek to leverage the wide variety of unmanaged devices and apps that employees, partners, and contractors use to access corporate data.
When deciding on a CASB solution for your organization, make sure it can detect unauthorized cloud apps, unmanaged devices, and data exchange with email platforms. All three are valuable in facilitating hybrid working and collaboration, but they also pose the greatest data security risks. Ultimately, a CASB solution should give your organization clear visibility into your users, apps, and devices and how they interact with data on your network.
Guidance 3: Adopt adaptive access
As a golden rule, cloud security should never hinder productivity, but rather serve as an enabler. When considering traditional access management solutions, solutions that compromise sensitive data protection are common in order to enable seamless access. Access is typically granted to users with appropriate credentials, without consideration of whether the account has been compromised or the risk of insider threats. This method is extremely dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. Instead, organizations should deploy CASB solutions that can intelligently determine who needs access. This balances security and productivity. Additionally, following an adaptive Zero Trust approach to access control grants access based on several factors, including device security and user and entity behavior analysis (UEBA). This advanced level of access security continually evaluates risk levels before deciding whether to grant access.
Guidance 4: Proactive data protection
The mindset towards cloud application security remains very reactive, and unfortunately, most organizations only prioritize security after an incident occurs. Data is the most important asset a company owns, so protecting it from cloud security threats must remain a top priority. Without data, businesses cannot operate efficiently or provide the services their customers need. That’s why data is often referred to as a lifeline. Therefore, organizations must take a proactive approach to protect sensitive data within their CASBs through data loss prevention (DLP). This tool allows CASBs to enforce policies that ensure data security standards are met without impacting employee productivity levels. Additionally, adopting a data-centric approach allows you to incorporate specific data security measures, such as redacting or masking sensitive information in files, watermarking documents, and disabling downloads. This is more progressive than automatically denying access to documents. Additionally, as sensitive data extends to unmanaged applications and devices, it is critical that security teams have the ability to protect sensitive data. Enterprise Digital Rights Management (EDRM) automatically encrypts data when it is transferred outside your company, ensuring that sensitive information is protected even when it is out of your control.
As the rate of cloud adoption continues to increase across the business world, threats to cloud technology and the sensitive information that resides on it will become more prevalent. With multiple data security and privacy regulations in place, organizations and security teams have a duty and responsibility to ensure that data is properly protected. Failure to do so will be considered negligent and will result in heavy fines and fines. Today’s data is digital and moves without boundaries, so it’s time for organizations to be proactive and implement security that moves with their data. Investing in the right CASB solution is a step in the right direction, ensuring your organization protects your data, increases productivity, ensures regulatory compliance, and provides visibility and flexibility while reducing costs. and helps reduce the risk of unauthorized use or access.
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