What is the difference between CASB and SWG? What are the main functions of each tool? And how can you benefit from them? Let us know below.
What Is the Difference Between CASB and SWG?
A cloud access security broker or CASB refers to a service that is used to control access to information and applications in the cloud. While a secure web gateway or SWG refers to a device that is used to control access to information and applications in the cloud.
What are the differences between CASB and SWG? Well, firstly, CASB focuses on policy and enforcement while SWG focuses on policy and encryption. Secondly, CASB works at the network level while SWG works at the application layer. Thirdly, the main purpose of CASB is to secure data in transit, while the primary objective of SWG is to help secure data in use.
Then, when it comes to the deployment, CASB may be installed on-premises or cloud-based while SWG is typically managed by a cloud service provider.
With that said, you can use a CASB to secure access to all your cloud applications (e.g. Office 365, Salesforce, Zendesk, and more). While an SWG can only secure web traffic. For example, if you want to secure data in transit between your end-users and applications such as Salesforce, Office 365, Google Apps, and other cloud services and applications, you will need a CASB.
On the other hand, if you want to secure your cloud application traffic within your organization (assuming the cloud service provider is using HTTPS), an SWG is what you need.
Now that we have answered the question: What is the difference between CASB and SWG? Let us take a look at the main functions of each tool.
What Are the Functions of CASB and SWG?
CASB helps organizations enforce security policies concerning the data that flows in and out of the corporate network. It secures information and applications in both public and private clouds. This is through real-time monitoring of all traffic entering or leaving the corporate network.
Then, it provides granular visibility into all encrypted connections including SSL and TLS connections. All while maintaining full auditability. Also, you can implement and enforce security policies for all cloud applications regardless of vendor or cloud service provider (CSP). You can also reduce the cost of securing information and applications with an easy-to-use interface.
Then, in addition to securing data in transit, an SWG helps organizations monitor web traffic for compliance with security policies. One that protects against malicious attacks such as phishing, cross-site scripting, and SQL injection attacks. As well as violations related to intellectual property or user privacy.
Further, it also encrypts all traffic with AES 128-bit or higher encryption between an organization’s internal network and its SaaS applications. Thus, this allows
the organization to comply with various data privacy regulations.
Conclusion
As you can see, both CASB and SWG are effective tools that help protect your data and applications. However, they do serve different purposes. That is, a CASB helps secure information and applications in both public and private clouds. While an SWG provides encryption for web traffic only. Also, a CASB works at the network level while an SWG works at the application layer.