Understanding Symantec Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)

Introduction to Symantec Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)

Symantec Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) is an essential security tool designed to help organizations monitor and manage their cloud service usage, ensure compliance, and protect their sensitive data across cloud applications. With the increasing reliance on cloud services, the visibility and security that CASB solutions provide are more critical than ever.

What is Symantec CASB?

Symantec CASB, now a part of Broadcom following the acquisition of Symantec, is a security and management solution that sits between cloud service users and cloud applications to monitor all activity and enforce security policies. A CASB helps organizations extend the reach of their security controls from their on-premises infrastructure to the cloud, which is essential as more organizations move data to cloud-based applications like Office 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, and AWS.

Core Functions of Symantec CASB

Symantec CASB performs several critical security functions:

• Visibility: Provides complete visibility into cloud application usage, regardless of where users are connecting from (e.g., remote work locations, mobile devices).
• Compliance: Helps ensure that cloud usage complies with internal policies and external regulations.
• Data Security: Protects sensitive data across cloud apps through controls such as encryption, tokenization, and access controls.
• Threat Protection: Identifies and mitigates threats due to compromised accounts, cloud-native threats, and malicious insiders.

Deployment Models

Symantec CASB can be deployed in various modes, including API connectors that integrate directly with cloud applications, and proxy-based solutions that intercept data as it moves to and from the cloud. Organizations can choose the model that best fits their needs, depending on their specific security requirements and existing infrastructure.

Key Features of Symantec CASB

The Symantec Cloud Access Security Broker offers robust features to bolster an organization's cloud security posture:

• Cloud Discovery: Identifies all cloud services used by the organization, providing insights into shadow IT and potential risk exposures.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Integrates DLP capabilities to prevent data breaches and ensure regulatory compliance by monitoring and controlling data in transit and at rest.
• User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA): Utilizes advanced analytics to detect anomalous behavior indicative of security threats.
• Encryption and Tokenization: Offers additional layers of security for critical data at rest in the cloud, making it less accessible to unauthorized entities.

Benefits of Using Symantec CASB

The deployment of Symantec CASB brings several benefits, including:

• Enhanced Security: Provides deep security capabilities that help protect enterprise data from external and internal threats.
• Improved Compliance: Helps organizations meet various compliance requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS, which is crucial for global enterprises.
• Increased Visibility: Delivers comprehensive insights into cloud application usage and shadow IT, enabling more informed decision-making.
• Cost Management: Reduces costs by consolidating multiple security functions into a single solution and reducing the overhead associated with managing multiple cloud environments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)?

A Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) is a security policy enforcement point that sits between cloud service consumers and cloud applications, providing visibility, compliance, data security, and threat protection.

How does Symantec CASB ensure data security?

Symantec CASB ensures data security through encryption, tokenization, access controls, and integration with data loss prevention (DLP) systems to monitor and control the movement and storage of sensitive information.

Can Symantec CASB integrate with existing security tools?

Yes, Symantec CASB can integrate seamlessly with a variety of existing security tools and infrastructure, enhancing the organization's overall security posture without requiring significant changes.

Is Symantec CASB suited for all types of cloud environments?

Yes, Symantec CASB is highly versatile and can be used with various cloud environments, including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, making it suitable for organizations using multiple cloud services.