The rise of SaaS-based applications, cloud infrastructure, and remote work have accelerated the significance of the browser in the workplace. Today, it’s the most used business application by far—but it’s also the most vulnerable, raising an important question for CIOs, enterprise leaders, and IT ops teams across countless industries.
If the browser is essential to business, can it also become enterprise-competent?
Enterprise businesses, especially finance, healthcare, and government entities that handle highly sensitive information cannot afford to risk the financial and reputational costs of crippling cyberattacks. And now, they don’t have to: CyberArk Secure Browser provides secure access to SaaS and cloud-based apps on any device, going beyond login security to safeguard enterprises at every step.
Browsers are today’s greatest attack vector
It’s no surprise why browsers are a business-critical component: Its versatility makes it a no-brainer for improving productivity, with 83% of employees saying they can accomplish most or all of their work within a browser.
But as the shift to disparate, browser-based workplaces became the new normal, enterprises were forced to address a new security perimeter to manage. Company information used to be stored locally, on-site, disconnected from the rest of the world, giving CIOs and IT teams peace of mind that their data was locked away in safe, segregated locations. Now, much of that information is stored online. “Traditional endpoint and network-based controls are lacking to adapt to the new business norm, where all of the organization’s data is in SaaS and the cloud,” says Gil Rapaport, Chief Solutions Officer, CyberArk.
Browsers are typically separate from the rest of an organization’s identity security infrastructure, which compounds the problem by creating difficult-to-manage blind spots. This makes browsers a primary target for attackers to infiltrate business systems: In the past year, there’s been a 354% increase in account takeover attacks, as well as a 50% increase in cyberattacks targeting Google Chrome.
It’s even worse for businesses with virtual desktop infrastructures and bring-your-own-device policies. Unmanaged devices, like personal phones and laptops, are an easy gateway for bad actors to steal sensitive data—especially because 78% of US office workers say they use the same device to access confidential information as they do for personal browsing.
Organizations need a stronger, purpose-built security solution. “They need to treat the browser as a core piece of their identity security infrastructure, and it can’t be just another standalone tool for overwhelmed IT teams to manage,” Rapaport says. That’s exactly why CyberArk created the Secure Browser—because enterprises need to protect every endpoint without sacrificing the benefits of the browser. CyberArk Secure Browser sets a new standard for enterprise-level security by prioritizing productivity and protection, offering professionals a safe and seamless way to get their work done.
Consumer browsers don’t meet enterprise security needs
Infostealer attacks, which often use browsers to steal logins and other data, skyrocketed 266% in 2023. Most attacks were done using cookie stealing tactics, in which attackers swipe files websites use to remember users. This is less surprising when we consider the fact that consumer browsers were made to access the internet, not access and work with sensitive information. “We’re seeing an increase in post-authentication attacks, which traditional identity and access management is incapable of recognizing and stopping,” Rapaport explains. “By monitoring the complete identity lifecycle, including every action performed by the browser, you can see and stop these threats.”
Consumer browsers prioritize convenience and data collection over robust security, conflicting with enterprise-level data protection standards. Plus, they’re notoriously difficult to integrate with other security tools, leaving unmanaged devices open for attack—unlike in an enterprise setting where, by default, no data should be shared. CyberArk Secure Browser eliminates this risk with a unified browser setting with all the security tools necessary and fully integrated to run an enterprise.
With end-to-end security that adapts to the user, CyberArk offers a contrasting approach to typical browser-based work environments. “CyberArk’s Identity Security Platform is agile, responding to actual behavior for true protection. Nobody wants an enterprise to be a Big Brother monitoring their every move,” Rapaport says. “The CyberArk Secure Browser, specifically, provides the optimal balance between security, productivity, and privacy for both the user and enterprise data.”
The balance between security and comfort reflects the benefits of an always-on tool. Enterprises need to know they’re safe from attacks occurring pre- and post-authentication across the complete identity lifecycle, and employees don’t want to be weighed down by cumbersome protection measures. CyberArk Secure Browser intelligently collects behavioral data to flag threats like compromised devices or potential IP theft, ensuring security is present when and where it’s needed, delivered with a familiar interface for a smooth user experience and ease of adoption.
Of course, the need for protection is even greater for high-risk users. C-level executives have elevated access to their business’s most sensitive resources and information—information that, if in the hands of attackers, could pose massive costs to the business. CyberArk Secure Browser prioritizes end-user privacy by blocking third-party data sharing and facilitates a passwordless experience for high-risk users. CyberArk solutions can even be used alongside consumer browsers to secure high-risk access, ensuring safety without having to reshape companies’ current security tools.
Consumer browsers streamline work, but often leave sensitive data exposed. Enterprises need security woven into every workflow aspect, especially within the browser. CyberArk Secure Browser addresses these concerns with integrated protection. It prevents cookie theft, replaces passwords with dynamic tokens, blocks unauthorized data transfers, grants one-click access to critical resources, and tightly integrates with your existing identity security solutions. Using a purpose-built browser like CyberArk Secure Browser offers enterprises a powerful tool to proactively secure their most valuable assets and workflows.
Learn how CyberArk Secure Browser can protect your organization’s most critical data.
