What are the best CASB solutions for cloud security in 2025?

Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) are essential tools for protecting cloud applications and ensuring compliance. The best CASB tools in 2025 include Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, McAfee MVISION Cloud, Netskope, Cisco Cloudlock, and Bitglass. These platforms offer features like real-time threat detection, data loss prevention, and visibility into shadow IT.

  DevOps & Cloud Security   Jul 22, 2025   26  Add to Reading List

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In 2025, as organizations continue migrating to the cloud, Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) solutions are becoming essential for protecting data, enforcing compliance, and mitigating threats across Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) platforms. CASBs act as a security control point between cloud service consumers and providers, delivering visibility, threat protection, data security, and compliance enforcement.

Whether you're securing Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, AWS, or Salesforce, a robust CASB can drastically reduce your cloud risks.

 What Is a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)?

A CASB is a software tool or service that sits between users and cloud applications to enforce security policies. It works by monitoring user activity, identifying risky behavior, protecting sensitive data, and stopping threats such as shadow IT, malware injection, or unauthorized data sharing.

✅ Core Functions of CASB Solutions

Understanding the key features of CASB tools helps select the best fit:

  • Visibility: Discover shadow IT and monitor user activity.

  • Data Security: Encrypt or redact sensitive content.

  • Compliance: Enforce regulatory frameworks like GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001.

  • Threat Protection: Detect malware, insider threats, and unusual access behavior.

  • Access Control: Enforce adaptive access based on user identity, device, and location.

11 Best CASB Tools to Use in 2025

Here are the top CASB platforms leading the cybersecurity space in 2025:

CASB Tool Best For Key Features
Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps Enterprises using Microsoft 365 Deep Microsoft integration, threat detection, compliance, and DLP
McAfee MVISION Cloud (Skyhigh Security) Multi-cloud environments Strong DLP, contextual access, malware detection, and API support
Cisco Cloudlock Google Workspace & Salesforce Agentless CASB, identity-based control, risk analytics
Netskope Security Cloud Real-time threat protection Inline protection, encryption, data loss prevention, user and app analytics
Bitglass (Forcepoint) Hybrid environments Real-time visibility, DLP, behavior analytics, BYOD security
Zscaler CASB Unified SASE security Inline traffic control, SSL inspection, DLP, granular app visibility
Lookout CASB Mobile device cloud access App risk analysis, anomaly detection, mobile-first policy enforcement
Trend Micro Cloud App Security Office 365 & Box Advanced threat protection, sandboxing, DLP, ransomware protection
Symantec CloudSOC Deep threat analytics AI-driven threat detection, cloud risk scoring, encryption
Saviynt CASB Identity-governance integration Identity-aware access control, least privilege, compliance monitoring
Check Point CloudGuard SaaS Email and SaaS security API-based control, phishing and malware detection, zero-day protection

Why CASB Matters in 2025

With the growing adoption of Zero Trust Architecture, remote work, and multi-cloud strategies, the traditional perimeter is no longer enough. CASB enables centralized visibility and granular control, helping organizations:

  • Prevent data leaks from misconfigured cloud apps

  • Detect insider threats or compromised accounts

  • Enforce compliance in real-time

  • Secure collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Teams)

Use Cases of CASB in Modern Enterprises

1. Shadow IT Discovery

Monitor unauthorized cloud app usage and block risky apps.

2. Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

Prevent sensitive data from leaving the organization through encryption or masking.

3. Threat Intelligence Integration

Combine with SIEM or SOAR platforms for real-time attack detection.

4. User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA)

Detect anomalies like data exfiltration or impossible travel.

5. Device and Location-based Access Control

Limit access based on device hygiene or geolocation.

CASB vs. Traditional Firewalls and Gateways

Function CASB Traditional Firewall
Cloud visibility ✅ Full insight into SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS ❌ Limited or no visibility
Data protection ✅ In-line & API-based DLP ❌ Not cloud-aware
User behavior ✅ UEBA integrated ❌ Typically missing
Compliance ✅ Policy enforcement across cloud apps ❌ Manual and inconsistent
Deployment ✅ Agentless, proxy, or API-based ✅ On-premises, static

How to Choose the Right CASB?

When selecting a CASB, evaluate based on:

  • Cloud app coverage

  • Deployment modes (API-based, proxy, agent)

  • Regulatory compliance support

  • Real-time threat protection capabilities

  • Ease of integration with your existing stack (SIEM, DLP, IAM)

Future Trends in CASB for 2025

  • AI-powered threat detection will become default.

  • Zero Trust integration with identity-aware access controls.

  • SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) convergence with CASB and SWG.

  • Multi-cloud governance across AWS, Azure, GCP, and third-party SaaS.

 Conclusion

A robust CASB solution is no longer optional—it's a must-have for any business using cloud services in 2025. By implementing the right CASB, organizations can confidently embrace the cloud while maintaining strong security, visibility, and compliance.

If your organization is looking to reduce cloud risk, evaluating these 11 CASB solutions is a smart first step.

FAQs 

What is a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)?

A CASB is a security solution that acts as a gatekeeper between cloud service users and cloud applications to enforce security policies and prevent data breaches.

Why do organizations need a CASB?

Organizations use CASBs to gain visibility into cloud usage, detect threats, ensure data protection, and enforce compliance across SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS platforms.

Which are the top CASB solutions in 2025?

The top CASBs in 2025 include Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, McAfee MVISION Cloud, Netskope, Cisco Cloudlock, Bitglass, and Zscaler.

What does a CASB protect against?

CASBs protect against data leaks, insider threats, malware injection, shadow IT usage, and unauthorized data sharing in cloud applications.

How does CASB work with Zero Trust?

CASB solutions enforce Zero Trust by providing continuous monitoring, user behavior analytics, and identity-based access controls in cloud environments.

Is Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps a CASB?

Yes, Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is a full-featured CASB that integrates with Microsoft 365 to deliver threat detection, DLP, and access control.

What is Shadow IT in cloud security?

Shadow IT refers to employees using unauthorized cloud apps or services, which CASBs can detect and control to reduce security risks.

How does CASB enforce compliance?

CASBs enforce compliance by monitoring data flows, applying policies for sensitive data, and generating reports for regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO.

Can CASBs detect insider threats?

Yes, modern CASBs use User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) to detect insider threats or suspicious user activity.

What are common deployment modes for CASB?

CASBs can be deployed using APIs, reverse proxies, forward proxies, or endpoint agents depending on the use case and cloud environment.

Does CASB support multi-cloud environments?

Yes, leading CASBs support AWS, Azure, GCP, and SaaS platforms like Google Workspace, Salesforce, and Microsoft 365.

Is CASB part of SASE architecture?

Yes, CASB is a core component of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), along with SWG, ZTNA, and SD-WAN.

What's the difference between CASB and DLP?

While DLP focuses solely on data loss prevention, CASB includes DLP as a feature along with threat protection, visibility, and compliance.

Can CASBs block risky applications?

Yes, CASBs can detect and block access to unsanctioned or risky cloud applications through granular policy controls.

Does CASB affect user performance?

Modern CASBs offer low-latency deployment modes and API integration to minimize impact on user experience.

Is Bitglass still a good CASB in 2025?

Yes, now operating under Forcepoint, Bitglass continues to offer strong CASB capabilities including DLP, risk analytics, and real-time protection.

How do CASBs integrate with SIEM tools?

CASBs send logs and alerts to SIEM platforms for advanced threat analysis and compliance reporting.

What is API-based CASB deployment?

API-based deployment allows CASBs to connect directly to cloud applications for deep visibility without altering network traffic.

Can CASB secure BYOD environments?

Yes, CASBs support policies that restrict data access or enforce encryption on unmanaged or personal devices.

Does CASB support encryption?

Yes, CASBs often offer encryption-at-rest, encryption-in-transit, or tokenization for sensitive cloud data.

Are CASBs suitable for small businesses?

Yes, cloud-native or agentless CASBs are increasingly accessible to SMBs for securing cloud usage at scale.

How is Netskope different from other CASBs?

Netskope is known for real-time inline traffic inspection, deep analytics, and Zero Trust-based access control in the cloud.

What are some challenges with CASB deployment?

Challenges may include integration complexity, policy tuning, user adoption, and managing multiple cloud platforms.

Can CASB detect malware in cloud storage?

Yes, many CASBs use sandboxing and threat intelligence to detect and block malware uploaded to services like Dropbox or OneDrive.

What is the cost of CASB solutions?

Pricing varies based on deployment scale, users, supported applications, and add-on modules like DLP or UEBA.

Is Zscaler a CASB?

Yes, Zscaler offers CASB as part of its cloud security platform with inline controls, app discovery, and data protection.

Does CASB provide real-time protection?

Yes, inline CASBs provide real-time inspection, access control, and threat prevention for cloud traffic.

Are agentless CASBs effective?

Agentless CASBs using APIs or reverse proxies are effective for controlling sanctioned cloud apps without installing endpoint agents.

How do I choose the right CASB for my company?

Consider your cloud footprint, security priorities (DLP, compliance, malware), integration needs, and deployment preferences.

What's the future of CASB in 2025 and beyond?

CASBs are evolving with AI-driven threat detection, deeper integration with Zero Trust, and broader multi-cloud governance.

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