Browsing the web is an integral part of our digital lives, whether for work or play. However, it also exposes devices and networks to a plethora of threats that can cause extensive damage. Malware, drive-by downloads, phishing attacks – the potential risks are endless.
This is where browser isolation steps in as a critical line of defense. By creating a protective barrier between browsing activity and endpoints, browser isolation significantly reduces the attack surface.
So how exactly does this technology isolate threats, and what are some best practices around deploying it? Let‘s find out.
The Growing Menace of Web-Based Threats
To understand why browser isolation has become vital, it‘s instructive to examine the rapid growth in web-based attacks:
As seen above, phishing, ransomware, supply chain hijacking and other threats are surging dramatically. The damage is also multiplying, with the average cost of a corporate data breach now at $4.24 million according to IBM‘s 2022 report.
At the same time, the portion of infections caused by web traffic has hit an all-time high of 93% in 2022, dominated by drive-by downloads and malvertising.
Yet only 29% of individual users are even aware of browser isolation as a protective measure, based on a recent Bitglass survey. This massive gap reveals the need for urgent action as threats diversify.
Understanding Browser Isolation
Browser isolation refers to confining the browsing session to an isolated environment separated from the endpoint and network. Instead of executing locally, browsing happens in a remote virtual machine, sandbox, or cloud-based container.
The key benefit is that malicious code has no pathway to reach local devices or infrastructure. If malware does penetrate the isolated browsing session, the entire instance is simply deleted afterwards.
There are a few common browser isolation architectures:
Remote browser isolation (RBI) shifts browsing to servers hosted by a third-party service provider, away from the local network. This fully protects on-premises infrastructure.
On-premises isolation also isolates each browsing session, but within sandboxed servers inside the corporate network. There is still potential risk to other endpoints.
Client-side isolation virtualizes browsing sessions directly on user devices, but is less secure than remote isolation options.
"Browser isolation enables safe, unconstrained user access to the web by shifting risk to isolated contexts that protect endpoints"
Evaluating Top Browser Isolation Solutions
| Provider | Latency | Compatibility | Granular Policy Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authentic8 Silo | Low | High | Full support |
| Appsulate | Medium | Medium | Moderate support |
| CylancePROTECT | Low | High | Full support |
As seen in the comparison table above, there are multiple capabilities to analyze when choosing an appropriate platform. Leading options that score well across latency, compatibility and fine-grained policy configuration include Authentic8, CylancePROTECT and Appsulate.
Authentic8 recently raised $25 million in Series B funding, showing tremendous investor confidence in its market-leading position. It uses smart ML techniques to optimize compatibility.
CylancePROTECT features unique threat detection based on AI-powered online reputation lookup. Appsulate stands out for its integrated data loss prevention capability.
Key Advantages of Isolated Browsing
There are many security and productivity benefits to implementing browser isolation:
1. Halts web-based attacks
Isolated browsing acts as an impervious shield against drive-by downloads, malicious ads, phishing pages, and other threats that rely on attacking local browsers.
2. Allows unfettered web access
Since browsing is protected, organizations don‘t need to restrict employee web activity. This avoids productivity bottlenecks.
3. Simplifies IT security
IT teams no longer need to constantly push out web filtering rule updates. Browser isolation proactively blocks threats.
4. Enables safe file downloads
Files downloaded during isolated sessions stay safely contained in the sandboxed environment. Users can access safely scanned versions.
5. Provides user behavior analytics
Admins gain valuable visibility into browsing patterns to identify suspicious outliers and coaching opportunities.
Browser isolation is a fantastic way to operationalize zero trust architecture for securing web access channels. It uniquely shifts the balance of power away from sophisticated hacking technologies by isolating their targets.
As shown above, isolating each browsing session mirrors enterprise network segmentation to realize zero trust.
Overcoming the Tradeoffs
Browser isolation represents a profound advancement, but still has some limitations:
Protection gaps – Sophisticated attacks can conceal malicious code from filters. However, techniques like micro-virtualization and AI analysis are closing gaps.
Compatibility issues – Heavily interactive sites tend to break more easily. ML self-healing fixes many problems automatically.
Latency problems – Cloud redirection introduces lag which hampers user experience. Performance is optimizing rapidly though.
Licensing costs – Large-scale deployment for organizations can get quite pricy. However hybrid isolated/direct models provide flexibility.
Solutions are rapidly evolving to close these gaps using AI, ML and advanced techniques to optimize compatibility and performance.
Closing Thoughts
Isolated browsing represents a true game-changer, significantly expanding the options for securing devices, infrastructure, data and users against an expanding threatscape full of unknowns. It enables organizations to embrace cloud and mobility without compromising safety.
With solutions maturing quickly, supported by surging market interest, browser isolation is poised to enter the mainstream as a crucial pillar of cyber defense. Adoption is only set to accelerate as emerging innovations make isolation seamless for end users.
Browsing from an isolated bubble may demand small adaptations, but gives back the freedom to traverse the web safely. For all the dangers that lurk out there on the web, finally some much-needed peace of mind.
