What method involves a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) positioned at the cloud network edge that directs traffic to cloud services based on policy compliance?

The method involving a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) positioned at the cloud network edge that directs traffic to cloud services based on policy compliance is best represented by a reverse proxy. A reverse proxy acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from servers, in this case, cloud services. This configuration enables the CASB to inspect and enforce security policies on incoming and outgoing traffic based on compliance requirements.

This approach provides several benefits, such as centralizing security management, which allows organizations to ensure that any data exchanged with cloud services adheres to predefined policies. The reverse proxy captures all traffic before it reaches the cloud services, which is crucial for monitoring and managing security incidents and compliance issues effectively.

In contrast, an API-based method primarily interacts with cloud services through APIs and may not provide the same level of traffic inspection and policy enforcement as a reverse proxy. A forward proxy, on the other hand, acts as an intermediary for outbound traffic and may not directly enforce compliance upon connecting to cloud services. Lastly, a dispersed method typically refers to distributed systems rather than the specific function of monitoring and directing traffic based on compliance. Therefore, the reverse proxy serves as the most fitting method in this context.