Unified Identity and Access Management (IAM) and CASB integration in SASE platforms      

Recently a report published by Entrust Datacard notes that 37% of IT employees say their organisations do not have clearly mentioned internal consequences for employees involved in Shadow IT. 

Shadow IT refers to any hardware, software or information technology (IT) resource used on an enterprise network without the IT department’s approval, knowledge or oversight.

Example- Include sharing work files on a personal cloud storage account and holding meetings through an unauthorised video conferencing platform.

Currently, 77% of IT professionals predict that if left unaddressed, Shadow IT will escalate into a significant issue for organisations by 2025.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of the culture of remote work has brought new challenges for security. Cloud usage is diversifying, and employees are using personal devices more frequently. Shadow IT- the unsanctioned usage of devices, software, or services- is emerging as a serious problem. Organisations need a new way to effectively monitor and administer cloud application use as part of a robust security posture. Today, we have Unified Identity and Access Management and CASB in this direction.

So, in this blog, we understand the basics of how Unified IAM and CASB integration is helpful in SASE platforms to protect organisations from increasing threats to data security and handle the issues of leakage of sensitive information related to individuals or organisations.

For the basic understanding, firstly, we tend to focus on what is a unified IAM.

Understanding Unified Identity and Access Management (IAM)

IAM is a traditional critical tool for protecting enterprise resources against cybersecurity threats. These systems maintain the consistency of user access rules and policies across an enterprise, as well as the appropriate application of resource entitlements as users change jobs within the organisation. Organisations are exposed to compromised individuals and data breaches if resources and activity are not monitored automatically.

This is frequently at risk due to issues of over-privileged access to rights that have not been appropriately administered. It is an important tool for cloud environments to help regulate the consistency of access between on-premises data centres and various cloud services. Organisations need an IAM strategy to prevent identity-based attacks from enabling greater visibility into company users and activity. 

The need for Integration of IAM and CASB in SASE

Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) and Identity and Access Management (IAM) technologies are both security solutions that aim to safeguard company assets hosted in the cloud from new threats.

To begin, CASBs track cloud-based apps, data, and services. In contrast, IAM controls user access to cloud or IT resources using identity information such as usernames and passwords, digital keys and certificates, and so on.

In short, CASBs notify IAM tools when new devices arrive on the network, and IAM verifies with the CASB to determine which credentials were used to get access. When the CASB alerts IAM about new devices connecting to corporate assets, IAM checks user access levels against permissions. It then blocks or removes privileges for some accounts while keeping others as they are.

These two systems work together to provide robust protection against common threats, like phishing or malware infections, through vulnerability scanning.

Key components of Unified IAM & CASB integration in SASE

Basically, these tools ensure the protection of an organisation not only as cloud-based software and on-premises but also as Software as a Service (SaaS). The latest research found that global spending on identity & access management solutions will rise from $16 bllion in 2022 to $26 billion by 2027, representing a total growth of 62% over the next five years.

In the heading mentioned above, we understood the qualities of these two systems. Both hold similarities as well as differences, and so both have different key components, but together, they build a strong wall against cyber threats. In detail, the highlights of key components are- Visibility, Authentication, Authorisation, User Management, Central User Repository, Compliance, Data Security and Threat Protection. 

Benefits of Unified IAM & CASB Integration in SASE

SASE stands for Secure Access Service Edge. Leading analyst  Gartner started using this term in 2019 to represent “new cloud-native security architecture.”

To simplify SASE, it combines multiple existing technologies to provide a holistic cloud security solution to an enterprise or organisation. It includes cloud security, network security, web security, and data threat protection capabilities to secure data, users, privacy, and applications.

The Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Technology benefited from the integration of IAM & CASB -

• Cloud-native microservices in a single platform architecture. 
• Public cloud Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) continuous security assessment
• Advanced data protection for data-in-motion and data-at-rest
• Zero Trust Network Access  (ZTNA) replacing legacy VPNs and hair-pinning
• Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP) with zero trust access

Considerations for deploying and managing Unified IAM & CASB in SASE

Today’s companies are increasingly adopting remote work practices, as they offer flexibility, which puts IT resources at risk when not properly managed. IAM systems & CASB allow entities to remain secure and compliant within shifting business models for greater agility.

In India, it’s the Internet of Things that will be the world’s largest network of its kind, spanning nearly 2,000 communities & touching over 400 million people. Recently, in India, GSoft saved 35% on IT infrastructure costs by leveraging Tata Communications IZO™ Cloud Platform and Services, a personalised cloud solution. It shows how the developing countries and their MNCs based there have a greater understanding of Data security. 

Integrating unified IAM and CASB in SASE helps improve incident count while minimising EBITDA impact.

Conclusion

Both CASBs and IAM systems play important roles in enterprise IT security, focusing on various elements of digital asset protection. CASBs focus on controlling application access and monitoring data flow, while IAM systems enforce user-specific security controls through methods like multifactor authentication.

Tata Communications' Managed SASE Solutions incorporate both CASB and IAM functionalities, providing a cohesive security strategy. This unified approach helps organisations streamline security operations, enhance visibility across cloud and on-premises applications, implement consistent access policies, and improve threat detection and response. To explore how a unified CASB and IAM approach within a SASE framework can benefit your organisation,