FIG. 1A shows an architectural level schematic of a system 100 for load balancing in a dynamic service chain, and for reducing latency and increasing availability and scalability in flexibly configurable data paths through service chains while applying security services in the cloud. Because FIG. 1A is an architectural diagram, certain details are intentionally omitted to improve clarity of the description. The discussion of FIG. 1A will be organized as follows. First, the elements of the figure will be described, followed by their interconnections. Then, the use of the elements in the system will be described in greater detail.

System 100 includes organization network 102, data center 152 with Netskope cloud access security broker (N-CASB) 155 and cloud-based services 108. System 100 includes multiple organization networks 104 for multiple subscribers, also referred to as multi-tenant networks, of a security services provider and multiple data centers 154, which are sometimes referred to as branches. Organization network 102 includes computers 112a-n, tablets 122a-n, cell phones 132a-n and smart watches 142a-n. In another organization network, organization users may utilize additional devices. Cloud services 108 includes cloud-based hosting services 118, web email services 128, video, messaging and voice call services 138, streaming services 148, file transfer services 158, and cloud-based storage service 168. Data center 152 connects to organization network 102 and cloud-based services 108 via public network 145.