Microsoft launches new security service to protect cloud-based apps

More and more cloud-based apps are being used by businesses, such as Dropbox, Box and Microsoft-created services like OneDrive and Office 365. Now the company has launched Microsoft Cloud App Security, a service designed specifically to help protect companies and their employees who use cloud-based apps.

Microsoft says that, according to its surveys, each employee in a company uses 17 cloud apps and workers in 91% of organizations grant access to their personal accounts to their company's cloud storage services. Microsoft Cloud App Security provides those organizations the following features to protect their employees and the company as a whole:

• App Discovery: Cloud App Security identifies all cloud applications in your network—from all devices—and provides risk scoring and ongoing risk assessment and analytics
• Data Control: With special focus on sanctioned apps, you can set granular controls and policies for data sharing and loss prevention (DLP) leveraging API-based integration. You can use either out-of-the box policies or build and customize your own
• Threat Protection: Cloud App Security provides threat protection for your cloud applications leveraging user behavioral analytics and anomaly detection