A new era of work: How to close critical gaps with secure enterprise browsers

As organizations accelerate the adoption of software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications, the web browser has evolved into a critical gateway for daily work. “Over 85% of a work day is spent accessing applications and data within a browser,” reported Palo Alto Networks.

This shift brings new opportunities — but also new risks. In the same report, Palo Alto Networks found that “95% of organizations reported security incidents that originated in the browser.” With sensitive data flowing through browsers more than ever, ensuring robust security is essential. Hackers routinely target browsers to infiltrate corporate networks and steal information.

“Web browsers have emerged as one of the most exposed surface areas for cyberattacks, and threat actors are well aware of their vulnerabilities,” according to Forbes.

Secure enterprise browsers (SEBs) have been developed to tackle these challenges, offering advanced controls and visibility that surpass what traditional consumer browsers provide.

What is a secure enterprise browser?

An SEB is a managed web browsing environment designed for business use — enforcing security policies, managing user activities, and isolating browsing activities. Increased adoption of SaaS applications means users spend more time accessing company resources through the internet. An SEB can help reduce risk and complexity by securing your users’ web browser.

“By 2028, 25% of organizations will augment existing secure remote access and endpoint security tools by deploying at least one secure enterprise browser (SEB) technology to address specific gaps,” according to Gartner®.

SEBs address limitations of traditional browsers by providing consistent security policy enforcement across users, devices, and locations, and greater control over internet usage on both managed and unmanaged devices.

The importance of browser security

SEBs are a relatively new concept, with leading providers like Island, Palo Alto, and Zscaler now offering solutions. Currently, Gartner estimates that “less than 10% of organizations have adopted an SEB,” according to an April 2025 press release.

Those numbers are predicted to grow, as secure enterprise browsers are no longer a niche solution but a key tool for organizations navigating SaaS-heavy environments, bring-your-own-device (BYOD) challenges, and AI-driven workflows.

The rise of SaaS has shifted the browser from a passive tool to the primary workspace. Employees now access sensitive data, collaborate, and run AI workflows directly in browser tabs. This shift has:

• Dissolved traditional perimeters, making endpoint and network controls insufficient.
• Increased exposure to threats like session hijacking, shadow IT, and data leakage.
• Demanded real-time, in-browser security controls that adapt to user context, device posture, and app sensitivity.

Reliance on consumer browsers puts security responsibility on users. SEBs combat threats targeting browser-based access, including data leakage and inconsistent security controls. Secure enterprise browsers shift control and visibility to IT, reducing user error and risk.

Closing critical gaps for better security and compliance

SEBs embed security directly into the browsing experience, delivering granular access controls based on identity, device, and location.

By leveraging built-in data loss prevention (DLP), SEBs can block unauthorized uploads, downloads, and clipboard actions, and restrict screenshots within the browser, as well as apply watermarks and masking for sensitive workflows. Browser-based DLP helps meet compliance with regulatory requirements by blocking unauthorized data transfers, detecting personally identifiable information (PII) and protected health information (PHI) in real time, logging and auditing user actions, and enforcing contextual policies based on user role and device.

Here are some additional benefits of SEBs:

1. Reduce reliance on virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI): Secure enterprise browsers do not provide full virtual desktops for users, but many organizations have realized most users do not actually need a full virtual desktop. You can give users an SEB instead to access SaaS apps like Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and Workday.
2. Increase security for BYOD: Organizations can implement security controls at the browser, so they don’t interfere with the device. SEBs also check for device posture to ensure unmanaged devices meet policy requirements before accessing company resources.
3. Streamline M&A onboarding: Integrate with identity providers and unified endpoint management (UEM)/mobile device management (MDM) tools to onboard new employees with ease.
4. Secure access for contractors and third parties: You can easily provide access to company resources in a familiar interface while providing threat protection and monitoring user activity at the browser level. Organizations can also customize the secure enterprise browser with logos.

Addressing risks from generative AI and BYOD

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and unsanctioned apps can introduce unique risks, including inadvertent data exposure and prompt injection attacks. SEBs mitigate these risks by:

• Blocking sensitive data from being pasted into AI prompts.
• Detecting and restricting shadow AI usage.
• Providing audit trails for AI interactions.
• Preventing malicious prompt injection attacks targeting browser-based AI agents.

Organizations must also secure BYOD and third-party access to avoid the risk of unmanaged devices, which could lead to compliance gaps, limited to no control over apps or extensions, and data leakage through personal storage or unauthorized apps.

SEBs solve these issues by creating ephemeral, isolated browser sessions and enforcing zero-trust policies without installing agents. They also offer posture checks, session recording, and DLP on any device.

Exploring secure enterprise browsers in your environment

SEBs should complement, not replace, broader data protection strategies. While powerful, browser-based DLP has boundaries; it only monitors browser activity, not local applications. Coverage is also limited to SaaS/web apps, which means no offline protection. Lastly, consider network visibility, as browser-based DLP does not replace network-level monitoring.

When considering how SEBs fit into your security strategy, ask yourself:

• What role does your browser play in your zero-trust strategy?
• What applications do users access regularly, and how much of that is SaaS or web-based?
• How do you handle secure access for third parties, contractors, or BYOD users?
• What kind of visibility do you have into user browser activity?

Our security experts can walk you through your questions, assess your environment, and conduct a complimentary Security Posture Review (SPR) for key findings and actionable insights. Our SPR evaluates your entire security ecosystem, including enterprise data security and data loss prevention solutions, network access control solutions, zero trust, and more.

To see an SEB in action, utilize our interactive labs with SHI One, where we can demo the Island Enterprise Browser by request. Additionally, Stratascale, SHI’s cybersecurity services division, offers a Secure Browser Accelerator service for implementing and right-sizing Palo Alto’s Prisma Access Browser (PAB). This four-phase approach reduces implementation complexity and downtime, speeds deployment, improves security, and enables long-term operational success.

NEXT STEPS

To learn more about SEBs and explore SHI’s security solutions and services, connect with one of our experts today.

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