Secure enterprise browsers are web browsers specifically designed for businesses. They have advanced security capabilities built into the browser when compared to a standard consumer browser.
Companies use secure enterprise browsers to enforce data governance rules and manage how authenticated users can access organizational assets. These browsers utilize security features and access rules to prevent data breaches and control how users interact with web applications.
Secure enterprise browsers can be delivered as a standalone browser, extension, or add-on. Most vendors can support more than one delivery method, with the delivery method often determined by the customer’s use case. For example, hybrid or remote organizations with a BYOD (bring your own device) policy may utilize secure enterprise browsers as extensions for ease of deployment. This allows end-users to continue using the browser they are already familiar with.
There is some overlap in functionality between secure enterprise browsers and secure web gateway software. However, secure web gateways are more of a network-based solution. Secure enterprise browsers are also similar to website security software. However, those products don’t typically offer the same kind of data governance and access controls as secure web browsers.
Secure enterprise browsers may be confused with browser isolation software, but those products separate web activity from the endpoint while secure enterprise browsers enhance security within the browser. Finally, secure enterprise browsers differ from standard consumer browsers because secure enterprise browsers have advanced security capabilities and functionality around data governance and access that standard browsers do not.
To qualify for inclusion in the Secure Enterprise Browser category, a product must:
Detect and prevent advanced phishing
Secure against common exploits such as cross-site scripting (XSS), drive-by downloads, and HTML smuggling
Enforce data governance rules, especially around data loss prevention (DLP)
Facilitate secure access to remote applications and assets
