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In IT security, on-premises security is where the security solutions are installed and run on your physical infrastructure. Cloud security is where the security solutions are provided and run by a third-party service provider and are utilized over the internet.
Organizations have found that a CASB solution improves cloud governance and compliance while reducing the risk of sensitive SaaS application files and data.
Introducing CASB
CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker) is a type of security software that sits between an organization’s on-premises infrastructure and the cloud-based resources it uses. The primary purpose of a CASB is to monitor and secure access to cloud-based resources eg Saas applications, Laas platforms and PaaS environments.
Some of the features include:
Discovery and inventory of cloud-based resources help organizations identify and inventory the cloud-based resources, including SaaS applications, IaaS environments, and PaaS platforms. Highlighting the scope of their cloud-based resources and identifying any that may need to be utilized or approved. CASBs can be used to enforce data loss prevention (DLP) policies on cloud-based storage environments or data loss prevention (DLP) policies on cloud-based storage environments.
CASBs can also authenticate users and control access to cloud-based resources. It includes multi-factor authentication (MFA) and single sign-on (SSO) capabilities. In modern CASBs, malware detection, intrusion detection, and data leakage protection are also included.
Giving organizations visibility into the cloud-based resources used within their organization, including SaaS applications, IaaS environments, and PaaS platforms, can help organizations understand the scope of their cloud-based resources. CASBs can enforce security policies on cloud-based resources, such as data loss prevention (DLP) policies on cloud-based storage environments or blocking access to specific SaaS applications.
CASBs can also include threat protection features such as malware detection, intrusion detection, and data leakage protection. CASBs can be used to authenticate users and control access to cloud-based resources.
Where Does SIEM Fit in?
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) is a kind of security software used to collect log data from various sources within an organization to be analyzed. The primary rationale for SIEM is to provide a centralized view of critical security-related data relating to security incidents and threats.
SIEM systems typically consist of two main components:
The first component collects log data from various sources, such as network devices, servers, applications, and security devices. The collected data is then normalized, which means that it is standardized and correlated to be more easily analyzed.
The second component analyzes the normalized log data and looks for patterns, anomalies, or other indicators of security incidents.
Downsides of SIEM
SIEM systems can be complex to set up and manage, requiring specialized knowledge and resources. SIEM systems can also generate a large amount of data and alerts, making it difficult for organizations to identify and prioritize relevant security information, leading to “alert fatigue.”
SIEMs may reach their scalability limits as data and sources increase, requiring significant upgrades and expansions. To identify security incidents, SIEMs use predefined rules and correlation methods; they cannot detect previously unknown threats. Therefore, they can’t protect against unknown or emerging threats.
How do CASB and SIEM compare to one another?
CASBs and SIEM systems are both security solutions that help organizations protect their data. Still, they have different focus areas and operate in different ways.
Both CASBs and SIEMs collect and normalize log data. Still, CASBs tend to focus on cloud-based resources such as SaaS applications, IaaS platforms, and PaaS environments, while SIEMs collect log data from a broader range of sources, including network devices, servers, applications, and security devices.
Both CASBs and SIEMs perform analysis and correlation on collected data, but the nature of the analysis differs. CASBs focus on cloud-specific threat and compliance enforcement. In contrast, SIEMs focus on providing a centralized view of security-related data, identifying patterns and anomalies, and correlating events from different sources.
To Summarize:
Purpose: CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker) focuses on securing cloud-based apps, whereas SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) provides security visibility and event correlation across on-premises and cloud environments.
Data Collection: CASBs collect data from cloud apps, while SIEMs collect data from various security devices, systems, and applications.
Real-time Monitoring: SIEMs provide real-time monitoring and alerting capabilities, whereas CASBs may not have real-time monitoring capabilities.
Threat Detection: Both SIEMs and CASBs can detect threats, but SIEMs may have more advanced threat detection capabilities.
Compliance: SIEMs may be used to meet regulatory compliance requirements, whereas CASBs may not be used for compliance purposes.
Integration: SIEMs can be integrated with other security tools, whereas CASBs may be limited to integrating with cloud apps.
Deployment: SIEMs are typically deployed on-premises or in a private cloud, whereas CASBs are deployed in the cloud.
Cost: SIEMs can be more expensive than CASBs, due to the need for hardware, software, and maintenance costs.
In Conclusion
A CASB and a SIEM both have their strengths and weaknesses. Security needs and resources must be considered when choosing to implement. It’s important to note that these shortcomings of SIEMs don’t negate their importance in overall security strategy. Still, they should be considered in the context of an organization’s security needs and resources.
FAQs
What is CASB?
CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker) is a security layer that provides visibility, protection, and control of cloud-based services.
What is SIEM?
SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) is a cybersecurity solution that collects, analyzes and correlates security-related data from various devices and sources in real-time to identify potential threats.
What is the difference between CASB and SIEM?
CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker) focuses on securing cloud-based applications, while SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) provides centralized security logging and event correlation.
Why do organizations need both CASB and SIEM?
CASB provides cloud-specific security controls, while SIEM offers a broader security perspective that includes on-premise and cloud environments. Organizations need both for comprehensive security coverage.
What does CASB provide that SIEM does not?
CASB provides specific security controls for cloud applications, such as data loss prevention and threat protection, which may not be available in SIEM.
Thank you for reading!