SectionCloud Security
Technology category
CASB
CASB belongs to the Cloud Security area. CASB creates a control layer between users and cloud applications. It helps enforce access policies, protect data in SaaS services, and reveal shadow IT.
Acronym Glossary
This glossary explains acronyms used in this part so the intended security function is clear.
- CASB
- Cloud Access Security BrokerA security control layer between users and cloud applications that helps enforce access policies and protect data in SaaS.
What This Technology Covers
CASB creates a control layer between users and cloud applications. It helps enforce access policies, protect data in SaaS services, and reveal shadow IT.
Why It Matters
It is useful when sensitive data moves into Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, ServiceNow, or other SaaS applications.
In practice, this is not only a technical function. It is a way to place the solution into a broader security architecture. Many organizations operate dozens of consoles and tools, so the challenge is also to understand which technology solves which type of risk.
This category helps name the problem precisely, narrow the list of relevant solutions, and distinguish technologies that may look similar at first glance. That is useful for partners and customers who already understand cybersecurity but need a clear map of the market and available portfolio.
Typical Use Cases
CASB is usually considered when an organization needs tighter control over a specific security layer within Cloud Security. It can complement an existing architecture, replace an outdated tool, improve visibility, or consolidate functions currently split across multiple products.
Place In The Architecture
Within the broader Cloud Security architecture, CASB should be assessed by how it connects to existing security and operational processes. Its practical value appears when the solution provides usable data, clear policies, understandable reporting, and integrations with existing tools.
When mapping this technology to SecTec portfolio vendors, it is important to consider not only the feature itself, but also deployment model, licensing, management level, supported platforms, and integration with adjacent areas. In a specific architecture, CASB may be a standalone platform, a capability, or part of a broader solution.
How To Assess The Technology
When selecting a solution, the most important assessment points are:
- which problem the solution covers and where its boundaries are
- whether it supports the organization's existing environment
- how it integrates with SIEM, SOAR, XDR, IAM, cloud, or ticketing
- what level of automation, reporting, and auditability it provides
- whether it reduces operational complexity or only adds another isolated console
Related Areas
Vendors From The SecTec Portfolio
Attack coverage and defensive context
MITRE ATT&CK® Enterprise version 19.1 is used as a reference model. The mapping is a SecTec expert interpretation and does not imply endorsement by MITRE.
Practical attack scenarios
- Phishing and identity abuseAn adversary manipulates a user, obtains credentials, or abuses a trusted account to gain access to the environment.
- Cloud and SaaS compromiseAn adversary abuses cloud identities, permissions, configurations, or application integrations to access services and data.
- Data exfiltration and leakageAn adversary searches for, collects, and transfers sensitive data from endpoints, cloud services, email, or internal repositories.
- Supply chain and trusted accessAn adversary abuses a supplier, software dependency, external access path, or trusted relationship to bypass normal controls.
- Business Email Compromise and mailbox takeoverAn adversary takes over or impersonates a trusted email identity and abuses communications for fraud, payment diversion, data collection, or further phishing.
- Privilege escalation and persistenceAn adversary expands privileges, creates or modifies accounts and policies, and establishes repeatable access to systems, identities, or cloud environments.
- Insider threat and authorized access abuseAn insider or an adversary with a valid account abuses legitimate permissions to discover, copy, manipulate, or transfer sensitive data.
- Session and access-token hijackingAn adversary steals a cookie, OAuth token, or another session artifact and accesses a service without re-entering a password or MFA.
Relevant ATT&CK techniques
- T1078 · Valid AccountsDetect, Prevent, Respond
- T1114 · Email CollectionDetect, Prevent, Respond
- T1213 · Data from Information RepositoriesDetect, Prevent, Respond
- T1530 · Data from Cloud StorageDetect, Prevent, Respond
- T1567 · Exfiltration Over Web ServiceDetect, Prevent, Respond