The scale, speed and savings offered by SaaS and IaaS models are powering transformation across industries, but they come at a cost.

The move to hybrid cloud and remote work has shattered the traditional network perimeter, and critical data now moves through a patchwork of personal devices, unsanctioned apps and unmanaged networks. With every click, sync and share, the risks grow.

Enterprises need intelligent control, which is why a cloud access security broker (CASB) is an invaluable investment.

What is a CASB?

A cloud access security broker (CASB) acts as the intelligent middle layer between users and cloud services to detect risk, enforce policy and protect sensitive data as it travels through apps like Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Google Drive and beyond.

This guide unpacks the critical capabilities of this solution, shares real-world use cases and highlights how Forcepoint CASB, backed by its market-leading DLP, helps organisations take back control of their cloud data.

Critical Capabilities You Should Demand from a CASB

Not all CASBs are created equal. Some offer visibility but no enforcement. Others overload you with alerts but offer little clarity. Below is a breakdown of non-negotiable capabilities to look for.

Capability	Why It Matters
Cloud app discovery	It identifies unsanctioned apps (Shadow IT) and maps usage patterns before they become blind spots.
Deep visibility into SaaS data	Go beyond logins to see who accessed what, when, where and how across apps like Salesforce, Microsoft 365, Box and Google Workspace.
Automated threat remediation	Detect and respond to insider threats or compromised accounts with automated actions, from step-up authentication to session revocation.
Inline inspection and control	Enforce DLP policies to inspect uploads, shares and downloads for sensitive content like PII, IP or financial records.
Compliance automation	Use prebuilt templates and reporting for standards like Singapore’s PDPA, MAS TRM Guidelines, ISO 27001 and PCI DSS to support secure, compliant cloud adoption.
Agentless application access	Allow secure, browser-based access to cloud apps without the need to install endpoint agents (ideal for third parties, contractors and unmanaged devices).
API and proxy support	Support both out-of-band API and inline proxy models to fit your architecture. Choose what works best for each app or use case with minimal user disruption.

From Theory to Execution: Cloud Access Security Broker Use Cases

Below are common use cases where cloud access security brokers deliver tangible security outcomes.

Use Case	Business Problem	CASB Solution
Shadow IT control	Staff uses unsanctioned apps like Dropbox, WhatsApp or ChatGPT on company devices, risking data leakage and bypassing governance.	Forcepoint CASB detects cloud app usage across endpoints. IT gains a complete inventory of sanctioned vs unsanctioned apps, with usage metrics by user, location and device.
Insider threat detection	A disgruntled employee exfiltrates sensitive files to a personal Google Drive before resigning (unnoticed by traditional endpoint tools).	CASB monitors download spikes, strange access times or geolocation mismatches. Behavioural analytics flags anomalies and triggers automated policies like step-up authentication or alert escalation to SOC teams.
Compliance enforcement	A Singapore-based bank must comply with the MAS Technology Risk Management Guidelines and PDPA, but struggles to track how sensitive data is accessed and shared across its cloud stack.	Forcepoint CASB logs cloud data activity in detail and provides auditable reports to help the bank meet MAS and PDPA requirements — reducing regulatory risk while strengthening data oversight.
BYOD and remote work	Remote contractors access sensitive project files on personal laptops with no device hardening — risking exposure of client IP.	CASB applies context-aware access control where unmanaged devices can view content in “browser only”, with watermarks or redactions applied.
SaaS activity visibility	A healthcare provider stores patient files in Box, but has no visibility into how staff interact with those files.	Forcepoint CASB enables document-level activity tracking — showing who viewed, downloaded, edited or shared each file. Admins can apply DLP rules to redact personal health data or block external shares.
Third-party collaboration	A partner consultancy is onboarded to a joint environment, but months later, still retains full access to internal files.	CASB identifies dormant and orphaned accounts to revoke access, alert owners and prompt access review.
Custom app risk management	A company develops an internal SaaS tool but lacks proper access controls and logging. This exposes client data to engineers who don’t need it.	CASB extends protection to custom-built apps via API or proxy integration. It applies access controls, logging and DLP policies to in-house platforms — enforcing least privilege without costly redevelopment.

Singapore’s Cloud Security Standards Are Tightening

Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and sector-specific frameworks such as the Cybersecurity Act and MAS TRM Guidelines (for financial institutions) require organisations to demonstrate strong governance over how personal data and critical systems are protected.

A CASB is central to meeting these standards by delivering real-time visibility, granular access controls and auditability across SaaS and IaaS platforms. Forcepoint CASB helps Singaporean enterprises enforce data governance policies aligned to PDPA and MAS expectations.

Unifying Cloud Control: How Forcepoint CASB and DLP Work Together

Plenty of CASBs highlight visibility. But most fall short when it comes to absolute control and deep DLP integration.

Forcepoint CASB does precisely that by going beyond surface-level monitoring to deliver granular, context-aware protection across SaaS, IaaS, web apps, email, endpoints and private cloud. With built-in support for over 800,000 cloud applications, it empowers your organisation to protect what matters most.

Forcepoint DLP leads the market for good reason. It leverages a 50-dimensional AI model to continuously identify sensitive data across cloud, email and endpoint environments. This intelligence directly informs DLP policy enforcement across the platform.

More than just flagging risky activity, it understands context. That means fewer false positives, stronger policy enforcement and better protection (without getting in your team's way).

Secure Your Cloud Apps with Confidence

The question is no longer "What is a CASB?", but are you using one capable of handling the risks you face?

Forcepoint helps regulated industries lock down cloud data, detect insider risk and meet compliance head-on. Our CASB and DLP technologies work hand-in-hand to secure how data is used, not just where it lives.

If you're evaluating CASBs or assessing your compliance risk, our specialists can help. Talk to a Forcepoint expert today.

Forcepoint Security Insights

What To Look For In A CASB Solution - Critical Capabilities

Aditya Sahu

X-Labs

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