Cloud Access Security Brokers have evolved from standalone shadow IT discovery tools into core components of Security Service Edge platforms. As organizations now use an average of 130+ SaaS applications, with employees adopting unsanctioned apps at an accelerating rate, CASBs provide the visibility, data protection, and threat detection required to secure cloud usage without blocking productivity. Gartner’s SSE Magic Quadrant now evaluates CASB alongside Secure Web Gateway and Zero Trust Network Access as the three pillars of cloud-delivered security.

The standalone CASB market has largely consolidated into broader SSE and SASE platforms. Netskope, Zscaler, and Palo Alto deliver CASB as part of comprehensive cloud security architectures, while Microsoft bundles CASB into its Defender suite. In 2026, the key differentiator is SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM). Going beyond monitoring user activity, platforms now assess and remediate misconfigurations across SaaS application tenants themselves.

How We Evaluated

Platforms were assessed on:

  • Shadow IT discovery, focusing on breadth and accuracy of unsanctioned cloud application detection and risk scoring
  • Inline data protection with real-time DLP for data in motion across sanctioned and unsanctioned cloud applications
  • API-based protection with out-of-band scanning of data at rest in SaaS applications via API connectors
  • Threat detection including UEBA, compromised account detection, and malware scanning in cloud traffic
  • SSPM capabilities for assessment and remediation of SaaS application misconfigurations
  • SSE integration and how well CASB integrates with SWG, ZTNA, and DLP in a unified security architecture

1. Netskope

Score: 95/100

Netskope is the recognized leader in CASB and SSE, named a Leader in both the Gartner Magic Quadrant for SSE and the Forrester Wave for SSE. The platform provides the deepest cloud application visibility in the market, with a Cloud Confidence Index assessing the security posture of over 80,000 cloud applications. Netskope’s inline and API-based CASB capabilities are unified with SWG, ZTNA, SSPM, and DLP in the Netskope One platform.

The Cloud Confidence Index rates 80,000+ cloud apps on security, compliance, and data protection capabilities. Patented Cloud XD technology provides the deepest inline inspection, understanding cloud application context at the transaction level. API connectors for 40+ sanctioned SaaS applications provide at-rest data scanning and SSPM. Advanced DLP includes ML-powered data classifiers, exact data matching, and OCR for images. SSPM assesses and remediates misconfigurations across Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Google Workspace, and more. The NewEdge global network with 75+ PoPs provides low-latency inline inspection without performance degradation.

Best for: Organizations wanting the most comprehensive CASB with the deepest cloud application visibility, unified with SSE capabilities in a single platform

2. Zscaler

Score: 93/100

Zscaler CASB, delivered through Zscaler Internet Access, provides inline and out-of-band cloud security as part of the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange. Zscaler’s strength is its massive global cloud with over 150 data centers processing 400+ billion transactions daily, providing unmatched scale for inline CASB inspection alongside SWG and zero trust access.

Inline CASB integrated with Zscaler Internet Access processes 400B+ daily transactions for cloud app visibility. API-based CASB (Zscaler Data Protection) scans data at rest in SaaS apps and remediates policy violations. Shadow IT discovery includes automated risk scoring and cloud application blocking by category. Advanced DLP with EDM, IDM, OCR, and ML classifiers is unified across inline and API-based inspection. Tenancy restriction controls prevent data exfiltration to personal instances of corporate SaaS apps. An SSPM module identifies misconfigurations across SaaS tenants with remediation guidance.

Best for: Large enterprises implementing zero trust architecture wanting CASB integrated into the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange platform at massive scale

3. Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps

Score: 91/100

Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps (formerly Microsoft Cloud App Security, which was originally Adallom, acquired 2015) provides CASB natively integrated with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem and Microsoft Defender XDR. For organizations standardized on Microsoft, Defender for Cloud Apps offers unmatched integration depth with Entra ID, Purview DLP, and Defender for Endpoint.

Native integration with Microsoft 365, Entra ID, Purview DLP, and Defender XDR provides a seamless experience. Cloud app discovery uses Defender for Endpoint network signals, requiring no separate proxy or agent. Conditional Access App Control provides real-time session monitoring and data protection for any web app. An app governance module monitors OAuth app behavior and detects overprivileged or malicious apps. Over 31,000 cloud applications are catalogued with risk scoring based on 90+ risk factors. Inclusion in Microsoft 365 E5 licensing provides a significant cost advantage for Microsoft-centric organizations.

Best for: Microsoft 365 and Entra ID customers wanting CASB with deep native integration into the Microsoft security ecosystem at no additional licensing cost

4. Palo Alto Prisma Access

Score: 88/100

Palo Alto Prisma Access delivers CASB capabilities within its SASE platform, combining inline cloud app control with SaaS security posture management. Prisma Access leverages Palo Alto’s ML-powered Next-Generation Firewall technology to provide inline CASB with granular application control that goes beyond URL-category blocking to function-level SaaS application controls.

NGFW-based inline inspection provides function-level SaaS app controls (for example, allowing Dropbox viewing but blocking uploads). The SaaS Security module provides SSPM with CIS benchmark assessments for major SaaS applications. App-ID technology identifies 1,500+ SaaS applications with granular function-level visibility. Integration with Prisma Access ZTNA and ADEM provides unified SASE delivery. Enterprise DLP is shared across Prisma Access, Prisma Cloud, and NGFW for consistent data protection. Autonomous Digital Experience Management (ADEM) monitors user-to-SaaS-app performance.

Best for: Palo Alto SASE customers wanting CASB with granular function-level SaaS application controls integrated into their Prisma Access deployment

5. Cisco Cloudlock

Score: 85/100

Cisco Cloudlock provides API-based CASB focused on data protection and user behavior analytics for sanctioned SaaS applications. Now integrated with Cisco’s Secure Access SSE platform, Cloudlock benefits from Cisco’s broader security portfolio including Umbrella SWG, Duo ZTNA, and Talos threat intelligence.

API-based CASB includes deep connectors for Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, and Box. Apps Firewall monitors OAuth-connected third-party applications and detects risky app-to-app connections. DLP with custom and pre-built policies covers PII, PHI, PCI, and intellectual property across cloud apps. User behavior analytics detect anomalous activity patterns indicating compromised accounts. Integration with Cisco Secure Access SSE platform provides unified inline and API-based cloud security. Talos threat intelligence enriches CASB findings with global threat context.

Best for: Cisco security customers wanting API-based CASB that integrates with their existing Cisco Secure Access and Umbrella deployment

6. Forcepoint ONE

Score: 83/100

Forcepoint ONE delivers CASB, SWG, and ZTNA in a unified SSE platform built on a true cloud-native architecture. Forcepoint’s differentiator is its data-first approach. The platform centers on data protection with DLP policies that follow data consistently across web, cloud, and private applications.

The data-first SSE platform provides unified DLP across CASB, SWG, and ZTNA. Over 190 pre-built DLP classifiers come with customizable policies for industry-specific data types. Risk-adaptive protection dynamically adjusts security controls based on user behavior risk score. CASB supports inline (forward/reverse proxy) and API-based deployment modes. Zero Trust CDR (Content Disarm and Reconstruction) sanitizes documents downloaded from cloud apps. Simplified management comes with a single console for all SSE capabilities.

Best for: Data-protection-focused organizations wanting consistent DLP policies that follow sensitive data across all cloud applications, web, and private apps

7. Lookout

Score: 81/100

Lookout (which acquired CipherCloud in 2021) provides an SSE platform with particular strength in mobile-to-cloud security. The platform’s CASB capabilities cover inline and API-based cloud app protection, with a unique mobile threat defense heritage that extends visibility to mobile device access of cloud applications.

The SSE platform includes inline CASB, SWG, and ZTNA in a unified cloud-delivered architecture. Mobile-first heritage provides unique visibility into mobile device access of cloud applications. API connectors for major SaaS platforms include DLP scanning, SSPM, and data classification. Enterprise DLP features advanced classifiers including EDM, IDM, and ML-powered detection. Digital rights management (EDRM) applies persistent encryption to documents downloaded from cloud apps. An agentless deployment option serves BYOD and unmanaged device access to cloud applications.

Best for: Organizations with significant mobile and BYOD workforces needing CASB that extends cloud security visibility to mobile device access patterns

8. Skyhigh Security

Score: 79/100

Skyhigh Security, the former McAfee Enterprise SSE business spun out in 2022 under Trellix, carries the heritage of one of the original CASB pioneers (Skyhigh Networks, acquired by McAfee in 2018). The platform provides mature CASB capabilities with deep API connectors and one of the most comprehensive cloud application registries in the market.

Pioneer CASB heritage (original Skyhigh Networks) provides one of the most mature cloud app registries. The cloud registry assesses 40,000+ cloud services on 75+ security attributes. Reverse proxy provides agentless inline CASB without endpoint agent deployment. SSPM includes pre-built and custom configuration audits for Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and other SaaS. Unified data protection spans endpoint, network, and cloud with shared DLP policies. The platform is strong in financial services and healthcare with pre-built compliance templates for HIPAA, PCI, GDPR.

Best for: Regulated enterprises wanting a mature CASB with comprehensive cloud application risk assessment and strong compliance reporting

9. Broadcom/Symantec CloudSOC

Score: 77/100

Broadcom Symantec CloudSOC provides CASB as part of the Symantec Enterprise Cloud platform. CloudSOC offers API-based and inline CASB with Symantec DLP integration, benefiting from Symantec’s established enterprise DLP technology that many large organizations already have deployed on-premises.

Symantec DLP integration provides enterprise-grade data protection leveraging existing on-premises DLP policies. Gatelet technology provides inline CASB protection for managed and unmanaged devices. API connectors support Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Box, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and more. ThreatScore risk assessment evaluates cloud applications based on security posture and data handling practices. Securlets provide API-based monitoring with user behavior analytics and compromised account detection. The platform is strong for organizations with existing Symantec DLP deployments wanting to extend policies to cloud.

Best for: Symantec DLP customers wanting to extend their existing enterprise DLP policies to cloud applications through API and inline CASB

10. iboss

Score: 75/100

iboss provides a cloud-native SSE platform with CASB, SWG, and ZTNA built on a containerized architecture. Originally a SWG vendor, iboss has expanded into CASB with cloud application discovery, DLP, and inline access controls. The platform is particularly strong in the education and government sectors.

The cloud-native SSE platform uses containerized architecture for global scalability. Cloud app discovery identifies sanctioned and unsanctioned SaaS usage across the organization. Inline DLP prevents sensitive data from being uploaded to unauthorized cloud applications. Tenant restriction controls prevent data exfiltration to personal cloud app instances. ZTNA integration provides conditional access to private and SaaS applications based on user and device context. The platform has strong adoption in K-12 education, higher education, and government verticals.

Best for: Education and government organizations wanting a cloud-native SSE platform with CASB capabilities and simplified deployment

Several trends are shaping the CASB market in 2026.

Standalone CASB is dead, and SSE is the delivery model. CASB is no longer purchased as a standalone product; it is a capability within SSE/SASE platforms alongside SWG and ZTNA, with Gartner evaluating all three together.

SSPM has become a critical differentiator. Monitoring user activity is no longer sufficient. Organizations need CASB platforms that assess and remediate SaaS application configurations, addressing issues like misconfigured sharing settings, excessive permissions, and disabled MFA.

Generative AI SaaS governance is emerging. The explosion of ChatGPT, Copilot, and other AI tools creates urgent demand for CASB policies that control data shared with AI services and monitor AI application adoption.

OAuth and app-to-app risk is gaining focus. Attackers increasingly abuse OAuth tokens and app-to-app connections to gain persistent access to SaaS environments, driving demand for CASB platforms that monitor and govern third-party app integrations.

Data-centric security is driving convergence with DLP. CASB and DLP are converging into unified data protection platforms that enforce consistent policies across endpoint, network, cloud, and email channels.