Not all enterprise browser solutions are the same. In deciding which to go with, you should consider the product’s core capabilities, administrative functions, convenience, and usability features. Also, the strengths and weaknesses of the vendor.
Secure enterprise browsers should include an extensive collection of built-in security controls and data protection functionality to provide a secure environment.
Here's the Top 4 security features and capabilities of a Secure Browser
1. Threat protection
Advanced security capabilities defend against sophisticated attacks and safeguard data with protections against internal and external threats like data exfiltration, credential and cookie theft, account takeovers, and man-in-the-middle attacks.
2. Web and SaaS app filtering
A secure browser should have granular controls for web and app filtering to control the content accessible on networks. These controls prevent browsers from loading potentially malicious code.
All businesses are – or they should be - moving toward more robust security solution such as zero trust, secure service edge (SSE), and secure access service edge (SASE), that provide greater visibility of network activity.
This transition also helps organisations to better comprehend the vulnerabilities, threats and practices associated with traditional remote access.
3. Data loss prevention (DLP)
Proper secure enterprise browser solutions need to prevent data exfiltration and defend against insider threats with capabilities that reach the last mile. DLP features to look for include granular, policy-based controls to manage users’ engagement with URLs and applications.
4.Device management
According to Omdia’s “The State of Security in the Modern Organization,” approximately 90% of organisations that had employees and contractors access corporate apps from personal devices. An enterprise browser should offer device management functions that facilitate IT and security operations activities, including incident response.
Top 5 usability and convenience features
A secure enterprise browser isn’t doing its job if the user experience sucks.
The best solutions create a user-first workspace that makes it easy to work from any location and device. At a minimum, a secure browser solution should provide the following:
1. Frictionless onboarding
Leading enterprise browser solutions make it easy to onboard new users and manage software distributions and updates using your existing device management platform or a simple email.
2. Familiarity
The easiest way to replicate the look and feel most users are already familiar with, an enterprise browser should be based on Chromium. This platform ensures a seamless transition from a consumer grade browser, like Chrome or Edge, by providing the same user interface, bookmarks, extensions, and rendering of web pages.
3. Seamless logon
To avoid password fatigue and user frustration, enterprise browsers should seamlessly integrate with identity providers (IdPs) and Active Directory to enable single sign-on (SSO) and.
4. Consistent experience across devices
Your enterprise browser should be able to synchronise user profiles across devices, delivering a consistent experience whether users are working in the office, from home using their own devices, or on the go using a mobile device.
5. Convenience and productivity
A secure browser solution should also allow for shortcuts and bookmark/setting import functions to improve usability and streamline adoption. It should deliver a high app performance and a seamless user experience that optimises employee productivity with minimal delay or latency.
Secure browsers that are easy to install, distribute, upgrade and use, and which create headaches for the help desk have much higher rates of adoption
The Top 4 centralised admin’ features and capabilities
Enterprise browsers are supposed to have a full suite of administrative tools to help IT and SECops teams distribute and update new releases, move users on or off, manage privileges, monitor user activity, and utilise existing IT systems and practices all from a single pane of glass.
Be on the look out for these key features and capabilities:
1. Unified management
Administrators want an enterprise browser that can define and enforce security policies at scale. To achieve this, the best enterprise browsers are part of a unified SASE solution rather than a standalone tool.
2. Visibility and analytics
A good enterprise browser solution should include admin’ tools to provide data for analysing user behaviour and to make it easier to identify potential security issues in real time.
3. Software methodologies
Choose an enterprise browser solution that supports multiple software distribution and deployment options to help ensure compatibility with your incumbent endpoint software and configuration management tools. This compatibility will streamline onboarding and minimize support requirements.
4. Tech stack integration
Having an enterprise browser that integrates easily with your existing tech stack is super important, helping you to protect and extend previous investments and reduce adoption barriers, while ensuring both the IT department and your wider users have a better experience with less headaches.
With so much functionality and choice in the emerging enterprise browser market, it’s important to choose the solution that’s right for your business and needs. This means finding the right technology partner that can assess your current environment according to your immediate and future needs to help you make the right decision.
To discuss a Secure Browser solution email here to get in contact with one of Enablis’ security experts.