Enterprise browsers are fast getting more recognition as more organizations and companies are leaning towards using a more reliable browser that provides more security against cyber attacks.
Organizations and companies are often the most targeted when cybercriminals want to steal information. The normal chromium-based and consumer-focused browsers often make cyber attacks easier to succeed. However, more security is provided when an organization uses an enterprise browser for its online activities.
Here are why an organization or company needs to use enterprise browsers and the key features they must look at before choosing one.
What is an Enterprise Browser
People are now so used to popular browsers such as Chrome or Firefox that they forget that most of these browsers are consumer focused and might not be the perfect solution for an enterprise. The activities in a small or large business differ from the meager activity an individual carries out online.
SQL Injection, phishing attempts, and DNS poisoning are some of the ways attackers try to break down an enterprise’s online security. And they have a higher chance of succeeding, assuming the enterprise uses a consumer-based browser such as Chrome or Edge.
An enterprise browser is a category of browsers created to provide a wider array of tools that helps organizations to protect their entities from attacks coming from cyber criminals. Some tools they possess include phishing protection, more advanced filtering, and malware blocking.
An enterprise browser gives the administrators of an organization more power to tweak the browser in a way that suits their business. For instance, enterprise browser security allows the administrators of an organization to limit the features their employees can access with the browser.
Key Features of an Enterprise Browser
Below are some of the key features that any organization should look out for when they are choosing an enterprise browser.
– Multi-factor Authentication By Default
When choosing an enterprise browser for an organization, one of the first features to check is its ability to enable multi-factor authentication by default.
Multi-factor authentication prevents an organization’s data from being accessed by an authorized user or a potential cyber attacker.
While an enterprise browser should have this, it should also allow this setting to be at default instead of an organization putting it on by themselves all the time. This is necessary to avoid cyber attackers accessing information, assuming the organization forgets to turn the multi-factor authentication on.
– Data Loss Prevention Controls
Enterprise browsers are a category of browsers created to help an enterprise reduce the chances of having its data stolen by cyber attackers. So, one of the crucial features which should be found in an enterprise browser is data loss prevention controls.
Some examples of the data loss prevention features which an enterprise browser should have are as-blockers, screen sharing tools, URL and domain filters, and many other essential tools. These data loss prevention controls should be built so that administrators can control the settings over the browser user in an enterprise.
– Integration of Existing Security Products
While using consumer-focused browsers, they often don’t integrate security products into one browser, and you may have to install them differently on your device before they can function. These security products and tools not often found integrated with a consumer-focused browser are VPNs, single sign-on (SSO), phishing detectors, and many other tools.
However, a feature that an enterprise browser should have by default is integrating all these existing tools in the browser instead of organizations installing them differently. Some of the tools which are supposed to be integrated are phishing detectors, cloud applications security posture, SQL injection protectors, identity management, VPNs, single sign-on (SSO), and many other features.
– Secure File Storage Space
Consumer-based browsers often have an issue: they don’t often have a secure file storage space that can withstand attacks from cybercriminals. Since enterprise browsers were created to correct some security mistakes that consumer-based browsers cannot handle, they should have a secured file storage space.
With most cyber attacks targeting the storage space of organizations, a major feature an enterprise browser should have is a secured file storage space. Within this file storage space, files can be shared with employees in the enterprise without the risk of being accessed by attackers.
– User Control
An enterprise browser should have a feature that allows the browser administrators to control what a user does on the browser. For instance, these administrators can set the limit of the websites a user can visit and the type of files the browser can download.
Setting such boundaries will prevent an unsuspecting user from being tricked into visiting unsafe websites or providing certain information. These user control features should also help control data movement between the browser and web applications.
Benefits of Enterprise Browsers
Here are some of the advantages of an organization adopting the use of enterprise browsers instead of consumer-based browsers.
– Secured Workplace
Nowadays, most organizations and businesses are based online, and many activities are carried out online. Cybercriminals know these, so they usually launch attacks against these organizations, creating an unsecured workplace.
But with enterprise browsers, this is easily circumvented as its security tools and solutions help to protect data and users from cyber attacks.
– Good User Experience
Since users don’t have to worry much about security all the time, it provides a better experience while browsing the internet. Incessant security attacks and data loss often create a bad experience for those using the internet; this is different from enterprise browsers.
– Protection Against Insider Threats
With the controls an enterprise browser has, it can protect an organization from threats that might be projected by someone working in the company. Enterprise browsers often contain user controls limiting the settings and data internal users can access.
Conclusion
Enterprise browsers were created to improve the security and user experience of organizations that need more protection from cyber attacks.
Before an organization chooses an enterprise browser, there are certain features they should look at before making a final choice. The enterprise browser should have a multi-factor authentication system, data loss prevention controls, integrated security solutions, and many other features.
