Enterprise browsers are organizations’ new methods to secure their data and resources from the prying hands of cyber attacks. It is a type of browser that focuses on security, thereby preventing different cyber attacks from affecting an organization.
However, not many people get the definition of enterprise browsers, and they tend to have wrong impressions about them. Some say enterprise browsers are the same as normal browsers and have no major security differences. So you will be learning six myths about enterprise browsers and the true situation of things about them.
● Only Managed Device Can Be used to Enforce Policies in an Enterprise Browser
This is a myth about enterprise browsers, and the claim is false, as policy enforcement can be done both in managed and unmanaged devices. Enterprise browsers help organizations prevent cybercriminals from stealing their data and other valuable resources, and it doesn’t matter if it is from a managed or unmanaged device.
If an organization uses an enterprise browser, finding the policy enforcement that fits both scenarios is most important. For instance, an organization using an enterprise browser on an unmanaged device can redirect the download of important files to more secure storage. While using an unmanaged device, an enterprise browser provides you the same functionality you will get while using a managed device.
● Enterprise Browsers are the Same as Normal Browsers
Many people consider enterprise browsers the same as traditional browsers such as Chrome or Firefox, but that is untrue. The only major similarity between enterprise browsers and other traditional browsers is that they are built on the open-source Chromium protocol. Every other feature, from policy enforcement to total browser control, is very different. One of the things enterprise browsers are known for is that it gives complete control of the browser to the organization using it.
This means the organization now has the right to make policies affecting everyone using the browser. This policy enforcement will allow the organization to determine the sites users can access and they can access those sites. Enterprise browsers give businesses exclusive rights to customize their browsers’ security and policy settings how they want. Features like these differentiate between an enterprise browser and other traditional browsers.
● Enterprise Browsers Is Another Type of Remote Browser Isolation
People often confuse enterprise browsers with other web security solutions such as LayerX and remote browser isolation. An enterprise browser is quite different from the other categories of web security platforms, especially remote browser isolation. While enterprise browsers provide the same security outcomes as some remote browser isolation solutions, it does not mean they are the same.
An enterprise browser protects an organization from different types of cyber attacks, such as phishing, cross-site scripting, malicious code execution, and drive-by downloads entirely from the browser. But for remote browser isolation, they provide security to an organization by performing the actual browsing on a cloud-based container. This ends up adding much latency while showing website content, and also it heavily distorts user experience, unlike enterprise browsers.
● Traditional Browsers Have Features of Enterprise Browsers
When you compare them bit by bit, you will realize that the most likely feature traditional browsers have with enterprise browsers is that they both allow users to surf the internet. Apart from that, they have different features that separate them miles apart. Some web browser security tools you will find in an enterprise browser can never be found in traditional browsers like Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
When you scan an enterprise browser, you realize they come with high-quality security integrations. They come with security integrations such as end-to-end encryption, visibility tools, two/multi-factor authentication systems, anti-malware tools, anti-screen sharing features, and many other sophisticated tools. All this mentioned above can’t be found in a traditional browser without installing some plugin. Even when they are available in plugins, this tool’s policy enforcement level is very poor.
● Enterprise Browsers are Not Suitable for SaaS Applications
Another misconception about enterprise browsers is that they are unsuitable for running web-based applications. This is untrue, as enterprise browsers have proved to be one of the best methods of running SaaS applications. It comes with security integrations that allow it to run a SaaS application without allowing malicious elements to infiltrate the organization’s data.
It has an active monitoring system that discovers when a SaaS application is malicious and immediately alerts users of such concerns. Removing features such as copy and paste, screen sharing, and download buttons prevents security compromise while using a SaaS application.
● Enterprise Browsers Are Extremely Clumsy
This is not true. In fact, you may even be using an enterprise browser without noticing, assuming its policy enforcement is not that strict. As indicated above, the control of enterprise browsers is given solely to the organization using it, and they can tweak it whichever way they want. This means that they can simply customize the browser the way they want without the interference of the browser developer. The organization using the enterprise browser can set its level of security to be mild, just in the same way it can set it to be very strict.
This does not mean an enterprise browser is clumsy; it only signifies you have the right to set the browser’s flexibility regarding security. Unlike normal browsers like Chrome or Microsoft Edge, organizations can set the browser to visit all the sites on the internet or limit it to only approved websites. It all depends on what you want and how strict you want the browser to be regarding security and user experience. However, other web security solutions like browser isolation and LayerX are alternatives if you don’t want to move entirely to a new browser.
Conclusion
Many things have been said about enterprise browsers that are not true about this type of browser. Some people say enterprise browsers are a form of remote browser isolation, which is false. On the other hand, others said enterprise browsers are the same as the normal browser, which is not true. Above, these statements have been corrected with facts as enterprise browsers offer many things which traditional browsers can never provide.