Enterprise Browsers seem to be making headlines recently, especially in light of the acquisition late last year of Talon by Palo Alto Networks.

What are Enterprise Browsers?

Enterprise browsers are web browsers designed specifically for use within organizations. They offer enhanced security features, integrated management tools, advanced visibility and analytics tailored to the needs of businesses. These browsers are built on the foundation of popular web browsers but are modified to include functionalities that cater to corporate environments. The starting point of Enterprise Browsers is that the web browser has essentially become the operating system for using cloud enterprise applications and as such it needs to be better adapted for it.

Key Features of Enterprise Browsers:

• Enhanced Security: Enterprise browsers come with robust security features designed to protect against malware, phishing attacks, and other online threats. Up until Enterprise Browsers the popular method for filtering web content and intercepting attacks was via proxies, however Enterprise Browsers essentially eliminate the need for such proxies, making the overall solution more cost effective and less disruptive for end users.
• Customization and Control: Organizations can customize browser functionality and settings to align with their specific operational requirements and policies.
• Integration Capabilities: Seamless integration with other enterprise tools and systems for streamlined operations and even simplification and replacement of some tools like proxies and VPNs.
• Management and Deployment: Centralized management tools for easy deployment, updates, and policy enforcement across the organization. Advanced visibility and analytics: as users come across potential threats and attacks, this information is collected and analyzed for faster detection and mitigation.

What are Cloud Browsers?

Cloud browsers, on the other hand, operate on a fundamentally different principle. They are hosted on remote servers and deliver web content to users through cloud computing technology. This means that the web processing is done on a server in the cloud, rather than on the user’s local machine, and hence this class of solutions is often called Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) Cloud browsers can significantly enhance security by isolating the browsing activity from the user’s device, reducing the risk of malware infections and data breaches. They also offer scalability and accessibility, allowing users to access their browser sessions from any device, anywhere, as long as there is an internet connection.

Key Features of Cloud Browsers:

• Isolation: By processing web content in the cloud, these browsers isolate the end-user device from direct exposure to online threats and from corporate networks.
• Accessibility and Flexibility: Users can access their web sessions from anywhere, on any device, promoting remote work and flexibility. There is no need to install a specific browser application or to remember to use it instead of the standard browsers. Reduced Hardware Requirements: Since processing is done in the cloud, there’s less demand on the user’s device, extending its lifespan and reducing hardware costs.
• Scalability: Cloud browser services bring the elasticity of the cloud to the table and can easily scale resources up or down based on demand, offering cost-effective solutions for businesses.
• Advanced visibility and analytics: as users come across potential threats and attacks, this information is collected and analyzed for faster detection and mitigation.

Comparison and Use Cases

When comparing enterprise and cloud browsers, it is important to realize that they are not really an alternative to one another but rather complementary:

• Security via isolation (offered only by cloud browsers) exists due to the realization that no matter how hard one tries to prevent and block threats and attacks, some always get through and when they do, isolation is the last line of defense, rendering them harmless to the corporate network and end-user devices.
• Large organizations that require extensive customization, control, and integration with existing IT infrastructure can really benefit from Enterprise Browsers and eliminate the need for more complex and costly solutions.

To benefit from both, large organizations need a solution that combines these two approaches and transparently employs the most appropriate one at any given situation without compromising security or negatively affecting user experience.

Conclusion

In summary, both enterprise and cloud browsers offer distinct advantages tailored to different business needs. It is the combination of the two in a smart autonomous way that holds the promise for real game changing solutions in the web security market.