How a Zero-Trust Browser Helps CISOs Tackle Cybersecurity
Today’s CISOs and IT teams face unprecedented challenges—keeping up with ever more sophisticated cybercriminals, managing multiple security stacks, dealing with increasing security gaps caused by unmanaged devices in remote and hybrid work structures and more. Moreover, CISOs must find a solution that not only balances cost and data security but also tackles the need for secure access in the era of BYOD and remote work. In addition, the browser is the new OS, allowing access to everything from SaaS tools to critical data to development tools. The problem is that most browsers are consumer-focused, which means they lack the critical security necessary to protect the organization’s most critical assets. The answer is a secure enterprise browser, one focusing on zero-trust and identity.
It goes from no-trust to full zero-trust in minutes. Under a zero-trust-based browser, access to resources is only granted after verifying a number of factors, including user authentication, device security, certificate of the browser and network context, among others. By trusting no one and always verifying, the browser can reduce risk, simplify the security stack and ensure only authorized personnel can access critical data and applications, both on-premises and SaaS.
Access is totally user identity-based. The browser’s strong authentication system eliminates the risk of on-site employees, remote workers and third-party contractors accessing data or applications beyond the scope of their function. Furthermore, it significantly reduces the risk of data leakage during the development process.
It keeps productivity humming. With almost no difference between the user experience between a secure enterprise browser and a consumer-focused browser, employees don’t have a difficult learning curve–or any learning curve at all. They can easily adopt the new solution without having to learn to use any software, saving time, operational disruption, and keeping productivity humming.
It saves costs. Consolidating the security stack with a comprehensive secure enterprise browser helps CISOs achieve cybersecurity efficiency and cost savings. They’ll end their challenges dealing with high-priced and hard-to-install hardware, software licensing costs, and administrative expenses—a useful benefit, especially for businesses employing remote workers or those with workers in both office environments and remote locations.
It protects corporate data while ensuring user privacy. The zero-trust architecture enables enterprises to have maximum visibility into all employee corporate activity, protecting all confidential business information. At the same time, the approach is compliant with employee privacy regulations: While the secure enterprise browser can easily detect an employee-generated breach, it can do so without invading employee privacy. The security team receives alerts only when employees act against preset policies. Furthermore, by not tracking browsing and clicking history, the company reduces storage costs from having to save logs for each employee’s activities.
It offers an additional security layer. As the new OS, the secure enterprise browser overlays the existing software stack within the computer itself. It creates a complete air gap, unaffected by any malware on its host device.
The Case for the Zero-Trust Secure Enterprise Browser
As CISO, you’re charged with securing all sensitive corporate data and information. With business losses and reputational damage on the line, with massive lawsuits and GDPR fines hovering over enterprises that have lost data with personally identifiable information (PII), and with remote work structures expanding threat surfaces, CISOs are in a bind. By implementing a zero-trust enterprise browser, you can meet these challenges:
● Prevent phishing, poisoned links, malware and other threats from infiltrating the enterprise entirely
● Ensure the privacy of employees, contractors and third-party partners while enforcing your security policies
● Keep your organization secure with a streamlined cybersecurity stack as a single power control point, preventing you and your team from being spread thin
● Make sure that corporate information is being securely accessed – avoiding the risks of malware and other threats from personal and unmanaged devices
● Help developers securely access data and applications and more effectively protect the development process
The zero-trust enterprise browser provides increased visibility and control over employee corporate activity for greater agility. It gives employees the ability to work wherever, whenever and however they want while maintaining productivity and privacy. For CISOs, a secure enterprise browser is an efficient, cost-effective, BYOD-friendly way to tackle today’s cybersecurity challenges, freeing up their time for other critical tasks.
