Cloud app security high priority for businesses

With cloud applications in use more than ever before and cyber crime on the rise, there is a growing need for comprehensive security solutions.

According to new research, business cloud users are estimated to grow from 50 million in 2013 to 695 million by 2022, making data security a top operational concern for businesses transitioning to the cloud.

In response to this, Trend Micro has expanded its Cloud App Security solution to Box, Dropbox and Google Drive. The comprehensive solution enhances the content security built in to SaaS services to defend against targeted attacks and implement compliance initiatives, according to the company.

"With the increasing popularity of cloud application and file sharing services such as Box and Dropbox, Trend Micro Cloud App Security now enables organisations to embrace the efficiency of these services while maintaining security," says Sasha Pavlovic, Trend Micro Asia Pacific director of cloud and data center security.

"Trend Micro has been protecting the cloud throughout its proliferation as a business platform, and as the technology evolves, we've continued to innovate with solutions like Cloud App Security," Pavlovic says.

According to Trend Micro, businessess adopting cloud services want to know where sensitive data is located and enforce whether it can be shared. Security conscious businesses also realise that their breach detection system may be missing traffic between off-network devices and cloud services.

Without the proper controls in place, sensitive content can be inadvertently shared and cybercriminals can use content services to enter or migrate through a business.

Cloud App Security brings advanced threat protection and compliance controls to cloud file sharing, collaboration services and Microsoft Office 365, using standard published vendors' APIs.

Since it started operating last July, the solution has protected Office 365 users from 500,000 malicious files and URLs, Trend Micro says. Now, the solution enforces compliance and keeps malware out of cloud services on Box, Dropbox, and Google Drive.

Cloud App Security integrates with Trend Micro Control Manager to provide user-centric visibility of compliance and threat events across multiple security layers.

Cloud App Security capabilities include:

• Guards against advanced threats with sandbox malware analysis
• Uses DLP to provide visibility into sensitive data use with cloud file sharing
• Detects malware hidden in office files using document exploit detection
• Supports all user functionality and devices with simple API integration in the cloud
• Integrates with Trend Micro Control Manager for central visibility of threat and DLP events across hybrid Exchange environments as well as endpoint, web, mobile, and server security layers

Cloud App Security has been integrated with a number of marketplaces and cloud commerce platforms to give partners and customers a complete end-to-end purchasing and provision experience, Trend Micro says.