How CASB security protects your school district

Many districts remain unaware of CASBs or their necessity despite relying on cloud applications. This guide explains how these tools protect student safety in cloud-driven environments. A Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) enforces security policies as an intermediary between cloud applications and users.

Districts using Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or similar platforms for collaboration and data management rely on cloud applications. CASBs monitor and secure all data within these systems — ensuring only authorized documents enter or reside in cloud storage.

These policies safeguard students and staff by tracking data shared via cloud platforms, detecting unauthorized access attempts, and mitigating risks inherent to digital-first educational environments.

This guide outlines how CASBs secure cloud data and reduce infrastructure threats, enabling districts to maintain compliance and protect sensitive information.

How a CASB works

A CASB enables school district technology teams to secure, monitor, and control activity within widely used cloud applications like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. 

Many institutions assume Google and Microsoft fully protect cloud-stored data. While both platforms offer robust security infrastructure, they cannot safeguard against risks stemming from seemingly legitimate user actions. For example, in cases of malicious account takeovers or misconfigurations that expose sensitive data, system administrators may remain unaware of the breach — including which specific data was compromised or how it occurred.

Continuous monitoring is fundamental for education providers aiming to prevent data loss and reduce cloud-based vulnerabilities. A CASB tracks user activity, tracing accessed resources and shared files, then automatically enforces IT policies to block threats and ensure compliance.

CASBs deliver this necessary security layer for cloud applications — functionality not natively provided by standard platforms (or available only through costly enterprise-tier subscriptions). For school districts, CASBs offer cloud-specific protections: malware defense, data loss prevention (DLP), and granular account monitoring to mitigate risks in cloud environments.

How a CASB protects your data

A CASB strengthens visibility and control of cloud-based data through three core functions.

1. Discovery

The CASB identifies potential risks by automatically detecting sensitive data exposed via public links, third-party apps with access to your domain, and unsanctioned cloud applications used by students or staff. This visibility is fundamental for schools, where expanding cloud adoption — and unauthorized app usage — continually broadens the attack surface.

2. Classification

The CASB evaluates each detected application or activity, categorizing risks based on severity and compliance impact.

3. Remediation

After assessing risks, the CASB enforces predefined security policies — such as restricting unauthorized data sharing or revoking high-risk app permissions. Most platforms include preconfigured rules to automate responses while allowing customization to align with district-specific requirements.

The four pillars of CASB security

Now that you know what CASB security is, let’s take a look at its four core pillars.

Visibility 

School districts need adaptable security policies to address evolving risks.

A CASB enables districts to monitor cloud services used by students, faculty, and staff. In K-12 environments, where cloud tools enhance learning and productivity, a CASB delivers visibility into important details: who accesses accounts, how files containing sensitive data are shared (internally or externally), and where potential threats like phishing or malware exist.

A robust CASB solution should also allow districts to customize security policies for distinct user groups and access scenarios.

For instance:

• A first grader using educational apps may require basic safeguards.
• A finance manager handling confidential records needs stricter controls over email and file-sharing activity.

A CASB adapts to both scenarios, enforcing tailored access rules while maintaining consistent oversight across all cloud services.

Compliance 

A CASB helps districts maintain compliance with data privacy laws and education-specific safety regulations, such as FERPA, COPPA, or state-level mandates.

CASB solutions automatically adapt policies as federal, state, and local student data laws evolve. This ensures continuous adherence to the latest standards by:

• Tracking how sensitive data is stored, accessed, or shared.
• Restricting unauthorized actions that violate privacy rules.
• Generating audit-ready reports for regulatory transparency.

By dynamically updating controls to match legal requirements, CASBs minimize compliance gaps while reducing administrative burdens.

Data security

Data loss prevention secures sensitive information across all cloud platforms. A CASB actively monitors and safeguards sensitive data, including:

• Credit card and Social Security numbers.
• Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
• Other regulated or confidential records.

By tracking data movement within and beyond your district’s cloud environment, the CASB reduces leakage risks. It enforces encryption, blocks unauthorized transfers, and alerts staff to suspicious activity — ensuring sensitive information remains protected at all stages.

Threat protection

Modern CASBs leverage machine learning (ML) to analyze district-specific data patterns and detect anomalies. This enables districts to:

• Identify malicious or accidental threats in real time.
• Reduce attack surfaces by enforcing strict access rules.
• Alert IT teams to suspicious activity, such as unauthorized logins or irregular file transfers.

CASBs mitigate risks through adaptive controls like malware scanning, geofencing (restricting access by geography), and automatic threat response. For example, if a compromised account triggers an alert, geofencing can immediately block access from high-risk locations.

This multilayered approach secures sensitive cloud-stored data while addressing evolving cyberthreats. As cloud adoption grows, CASBs fill security gaps left by traditional tools.

Benefits of implementing a CASB for schools

Students rely on cloud-based applications across all grade levels, from kindergarten to grade 12, and need robust cybersecurity measures. These digitally native learners — and their educators — use technology to complete and grade assignments and to access vital information.

A CASB solution safeguards these workflows and other cloud-based processes. The benefits of implementing a customized school district cloud access security broker include the following.

Mitigates shadow IT risks

Students frequently interact with online platforms, often approving unauthorized applications — intentionally or accidentally — when accessing file-sharing sites or messaging tools. With personal and BYOD devices accessing cloud data in educational environments, CASBs monitor every cloud access attempt and enforce authorization protocols. 

Many SaaS applications pose inherent risks due to security flaws that malicious actors exploit. Some fraudulent apps are deliberately designed to compromise user credentials. When students log in with school accounts, these apps grant attackers undetected access to sensitive data — bypassing traditional security measures like firewalls and malware filters.

Increases access control

Cloud access security addresses risk assessment, policy violations, shadow cloud apps, and other forms of account misuse. School districts that rely on cloud services for email, file sharing, meetings, and learning management need CASB agility to detect threats from improper data-sharing permissions and phishing.

By limiting cloud access to authorized users, you reduce the risk posed by unverified actors. Classifying, encrypting, and restricting data sharing further prevents unauthorized access, ensuring a secure environment for educators and students.

Automated threat detection

AI-driven monitoring systems analyze typical operational patterns in school district cloud environments, flagging anomalies and instantly restricting unauthorized access or data sharing. This proactive approach stops threats before they access cloud-stored data.

Rapid detection is vital: If attackers compromise a cloud account, they can exploit its permissions to distribute malware, launch phishing campaigns, steal sensitive data, or escalate access — all while evading traditional security tools like firewalls.

What to look for in a CASB vendor

When researching CASB security vendors, you’ll encounter two main architectures: proxy-based and API-based.

• Proxy-based CASBs rely on legacy network technology and place a proxy agent between your traffic and cloud applications. This approach essentially duplicates firewall or gateway functionality in the cloud.
• API-based CASBs use the native APIs of cloud applications to secure access and activity. Backed by providers like Google and Microsoft, this method delivers faster, more reliable protection without slowing your network or users’ access to cloud data.

Every CASB vendor offers different features and services, so it’s important to define your specific security requirements. 

Here is a high-level list of key CASB solution features to consider. 

Malware & phishing threat protection

Email phishing is the most common external threat vector, but not the only one. Public cloud environments are inherently porous, allowing criminals to exploit file sharing, browser extensions, and other applications to deliver malware.

A strong CASB solution empowers administrators to identify, quarantine, or delete these threats — either manually or automatically based on custom configurations. It also evaluates an application’s risk by analyzing granted permissions, the number of sanctioned or unsanctioned users, and third-party machine learning assessments.

Impact on network performance

Network performance hinges on whether your CASB is proxy-based or API-based. Proxy-based CASBs insert a “man in the middle” to inspect each request, which can significantly slow traffic. By contrast, API-based CASBs deliver the same security without impacting speed — end users often don’t even notice the solution is in place, allowing seamless access to cloud-stored information.

Affordability & ease of use

A CASB solution must fit your budget, but watch for ancillary costs like usability and support. When evaluating vendors, consider:

• Resource requirements: Can your current team manage it, or will you need additional staff?
• Implementation time: How long will setup take?
• Training needs: How many hours must employees spend learning the platform?
• Reliability: Will admins need to constantly verify data accuracy?
• Customer support: Is it included, or will it cost extra?

These factors affect total cost of ownership. Before choosing a CASB, consult current and past customers to gauge strengths, weaknesses, and any hidden expenses.

FERPA, COPPA, CSPC Certifications

K-12 and higher education institutions must choose a CASB vendor certified to comply with student data privacy regulations, including FERPA and COPPA. Like FERPA, COPPA governs how children’s data must be handled. An independently certified CASB signals a serious commitment to student privacy, backed by rigorous third-party testing for security and compliance.

Customer support

Every new platform poses questions and challenges, yet many overlook a vendor’s support reputation. Some CASB vendors offer low-cost licenses or bundle security into larger packages — but a platform is useless if your team can’t use it.

If your CASB is misconfigured or a bug remains unfixed because support is unavailable, your data remains exposed. Robust support is vital, especially for stretched-thin technology teams in schools and public institutions. Make sure your CASB vendor’s customer service record meets your school’s needs.

7 leading CASB vendors 

Users praise the following CASB vendors for their comprehensive visibility into cloud usage, robust data protection, and advanced threat prevention. For K-12 schools, they help facilitate a safer learning environment. 

1. Netskope 

Netskope CASB is a cloud security platform designed to secure data and applications across cloud environments. It enables schools to monitor SaaS usage, manage shadow IT, and implement basic data loss prevention measures. By providing granular visibility into cloud application risks and traffic, Netskope CASB helps enforce security policies and prevent data leakage through features like inline threat protection, machine learning DLP, and granular data encryption.

Advantages

Key advantages include its advanced detection capabilities, real-time analytics, and user-friendly features such as website safety ratings for policy creation. The platform’s Cloud Confidence Index offers unique insights into provider security postures, while its resilient infrastructure and straightforward setup simplify deployment. Users also commend its ability to monitor all traffic types and control cloud access.

Disadvantages

Netskope’s challenges include occasional geolocation discrepancies with public IPs, scalability concerns, and integration limitations with third-party applications. Some users note slower internet speeds, API inconsistencies, and a need for enhanced dashboard performance. Despite these drawbacks, Netskope CASB remains a robust solution for schools prioritizing cloud security and risk visibility.

2. Palo Alto Networks 

Palo Alto Networks is a longstanding cybersecurity provider recognized for its comprehensive security solutions, including advanced CASB functionality under Prisma Cloud and Prisma Access. 

Advantages

Palo Alto Networks deliver extensive application visibility, container and serverless security, and robust Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) — allowing institutions to detect and respond to threats quickly. The platform also simplifies compliance management by supporting frameworks. such as PCI, DSS, and HIPAA. Plus, it offers cloud-agnostic protection across leading PaaS and IaaS platforms. Users also note its integrated threat intelligence and identity-based policies that help safeguard SaaS and web applications in real time.

Disadvantages 

Certain institutions find the learning curve steep and require additional training when transitioning from other platforms. Despite this, Palo Alto Networks remains a top choice for many seeking a powerful, unified CASB solution.

3. Skyhigh Security 

Skyhigh Security CASB is a Cloud Access Security Broker that provides comprehensive protection for corporate data in cloud applications. It prevents exfiltration to unauthorized users or devices while maintaining employee productivity.

Advantages

Skyhigh CASB offers several advantages, including multi-mode cloud protection through both forward and reverse proxy deployment, unmatched data protection, device-based controls, and inline threat protection from a single platform. Its comprehensive API integration supports 40 applications, providing visibility into shadow IT through a registry of 40,000+ cloud services. The solution enables real-time monitoring, threat detection using machine learning, and unified policy enforcement across all cloud environments.

Disadvantages

The platform’s interface, while feature-rich, can be challenging for beginners to navigate. Some users report occasional performance issues and delays in data reflection from integrated tools.

4. Symantec CloudSOC 

Now owned by Broadcom, Symantec CloudSOC CASB is a Cloud Access Security Broker that provides visibility and control over cloud application usage, threats, and sensitive data. It helps schools mitigate malicious content in cloud apps, shadow IT, and compliance risks in increasingly remote and cloud-dependent work environments.

Advantages

The solution offers several advantages, including comprehensive discovery of shadow IT across thousands of apps, accurate monitoring and protection of sensitive data, and defense against cloud-based threats and malware. Its User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) capabilities leverage machine learning to assign risk scores for adaptive policy actions. CloudSOC CASB also provides consistent policy application across hybrid environments and integrates with other Symantec security products.

Disadvantages

Despite its strengths, users report that the solution could improve its data classification capabilities to better control false positives/negatives. 

5. Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps 

Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is a comprehensive SaaS security solution that provides visibility, protection, and control over cloud applications. This CASB enables schools to discover and manage their SaaS app landscape while protecting sensitive data at rest, in use, and in motion.

Advantages

This CASB can identify over 31,000 apps with risk assessments for compliance purposes, detect shadow IT usage, classify and protect sensitive information, and control app-to-app interactions. Its integration with Microsoft Defender XDR allows advanced hunting capabilities across the entire cyberattack chain. The solution extends beyond traditional CASB functionality to include SaaS security posture management and integrated threat protection.

Disadvantages 

Users say its key limitations include potential delays in scanning and applying policies for sensitive information, incomplete coverage for certain compliance standards, and limited Microsoft Teams scanning capabilities for external image exchange needs.

6. Cisco Cloudlock

Cisco Cloudlock is a cloud-native CASB solution that secures your cloud users, data, and applications. It uses advanced machine learning and zero trust principles to detect anomalies — such as impossible speed activities — and continuously monitors data to maintain compliance.

Advantages

Cloudlock’s comprehensive suite — Cloud Discovery, Encryption, IAM integration, and policy management — gives you robust oversight of data ownership and sharing, while its user-friendly console and straightforward alerts facilitate quick incident response.

Disadvantages

A handful of institutions report that Cisco Cloudlock could improve vendor support, particularly regarding platform usability. 

7. Forcepoint CASB

Forcepoint ONE CASB provides Zero Trust access and data security across all cloud applications, emphasizing visibility, control, and high-performance operations. 

Advantages

Its advantages include robust shadow IT detection and blocking, inline inspection for real-time data control, and seamless integration with Forcepoint’s DLP for consistent policy enforcement. The solution supports API-driven monitoring, customizable risk analytics, and interoperability with identity providers like Okta, aligning with Zero Trust principles.

Disadvantages

The platform’s pricing is higher than some competitors, and customer support costs extra. Implementation can be complex, requiring significant time and resources. Additionally, while it excels in sanctioned app monitoring, it lacks native scanning for unsanctioned applications — a gap noted by users.

Protect your students and your district’s financial future

Securing sensitive information in the cloud isn’t about checking a box — it’s about protecting the well-being and financial futures of your district, employees, students, and community. And to do that, you need a CASB solution tailor-made for K-12 use cases. 

The good news? We’re here to help. With Cloud Monitor, you gain a comprehensive solution that integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. Our platform protects your educational environment with AI-powered, automated, and rapid threat detection and remediation. From risky third-party apps to account takeovers, it empowers you to simplify cloud security without compromising performance. 

ManagedMethods offers a free Google or Microsoft security audit for K-12 schools. Our no-proxy, no-agent, no-extension, and no-special-training interface lets your technology team experience the difference a CASB solution can make.

The post How CASB security protects your school district appeared first on ManagedMethods Cybersecurity, Safety & Compliance for K-12.

*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from ManagedMethods Cybersecurity, Safety & Compliance for K-12 authored by Alexa Sander. Read the original post at: https://managedmethods.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-casb-vendors/