The future of browsers: How enterprise browsers change secure web application access

Web browsers aren’t used just for surfing the web anymore. They’re now essential tools for productive work. However, as browsers like Safari and Chrome evolve into new workspaces, businesses face more threats than ever before.

A Gartner Enterprise Browser Review predicts that they will become a major player by 2030. By 2026, 25% of businesses will be using managed browsers or extensions, up from less than 10% today. This shift highlights the recognition of browser management as a key factor in security and efficiency.

In this blog, we will look at the future of enterprise browsers and explain why they are a must for modern business security. We will also discuss how integrating browsers with existing security software opens up new possibilities and helps companies stay ahead of threats.

Key takeaways

• Enterprise browsers are taking off: Once niche, enterprise browsers and extensions are becoming the backbone of secure work environments. By 2030, they’ll likely be the go-to platform for productivity and security.
• Security by design: Enterprise browsers come with additional layers of protection against malware, phishing, ransomware, and malicious apps.
• Centralized control: Security teams get a single point of control over settings, access permissions, and policies, keeping security consistent across the board.
• More cost-effective, smarter security: Enterprise browsers offer a more affordable and efficient alternative to VDI and RBI.
• Ready for remote work: Enterprise browsers are designed to support both managed and unmanaged devices in hybrid environments, ensuring data protection and compliance without compromise.
• Data loss prevention: Enterprise browsers stop risky actions like copying, pasting, uploading, and downloading, keeping sensitive data where it belongs.

The shift from consumer to enterprise browsers

As browser usage grows, so do attacks against them. According to Security Week, there has been a 140% increase in browser phishing, with a 130% rise in zero-hour phishing attacks.

This shows that traditional browsers, like Chrome or Safari, lack the extended features needed for corporate security.

Here’s why consumer web browsers are a poor fit for businesses:

• Limited security: Traditional web browsers offer basic protection and can’t yet mitigate a broader range of threats.
• No control over data: Organizations can’t restrict employees from downloading risky files or sharing confidential data. This exposes the network to insider and outsider threats.
• No centralized management: Security teams struggle to enforce browser security policies or settings across the organization.

Enterprise browsers add extra security layers. This allows enterprise web applications to run more securely, mitigates internet browsing threats, and helps boost productivity.

Emerging tech: Key features defining the future of enterprise browsers

The enterprise browser market is growing. As mentioned earlier, Gartner highlights that by 2030, enterprise browsers will be the core platform for workforce productivity and security.

In the future, web browsers will become central hubs for managing and securing security tools and productivity software, including legacy apps and custom browser-based solutions.

Key features of the enterprise browser include:

• Strengthened security and Zero Trust integration: Keep threats at bay with built-in protection and controlled access, whether on managed or unmanaged devices.
• Centralized IT management: Easily control browser settings, permissions, and security policies from one place.
• Seamless (Single Sign-On) SSO & Identity Access Management: Simplify login with SSO and multi-factor authentication (MFA), improving security across managed and unmanaged devices.
• Data protection and compliance: Stay on top of regulations like GDPR, SOC2, and HIPAA with built-in compliance features.
• Cloud-based and remote work adaptability: Keep teams connected and secure, no matter where they work.

Enterprise web browsers are redefining security, control, and efficiency. They help businesses mitigate threats while enabling seamless access to web applications.

Benefits of enterprise browsers for businesses

Built for modern SaaS businesses, enterprise browsers simplify security, boost productivity, and keep IT management hassle-free.

What are the key benefits of enterprise browsers?

• Comprehensive threat protection: Protect your business against malware, phishing, ransomware, and shadow IT with built-in security features.
• Data security: Prevent data loss from both insider and outsider threats by controlling data visibility and data transfers between the browser and a device.
• Boosted productivity: Set browsing policies to cut down on distractions and block unauthorized sites.
• Centralized IT management: Manage browser security settings from one place and get full observability with simple monitoring and control.
• Better BYOD support: Enable employees to securely access company resources through the enterprise browser.

In summary, the future of work is browser-based, and enterprise browsers play a big role in this evolution. They improve security, support Data Loss Prevention (DLP) elements, and simplify IT management while keeping productivity high.

Adopting enterprise browsers: challenges and considerations

Switching from traditional browsers to enterprise ones comes with its own set of challenges. Businesses may face adoption barriers such as:

• User resistance: Employees may be reluctant to learn new systems, which can delay the transition and affect overall efficiency in the short term.
• Compatibility issues with legacy systems: Enterprise browsers might not always seamlessly integrate with these older systems, leading to compatibility issues.
• Privacy and compliance concerns: Businesses must ensure that the new browser complies with regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC2. Concerns about how data is handled, stored, or transferred could create hesitation among organizations that prioritize strict data protection.

What should you consider before adopting an enterprise browser?

Despite these challenges, the right enterprise browser can be a game-changer. It’s designed to address cybersecurity threats head-on, offering built-in protections against malware, phishing, and ransomware attacks. It also helps curb the risks of shadow IT, including unauthorized SaaS apps and emerging generative AI tools that can expose data or create vulnerabilities.

Data loss prevention within the browser is another crucial aspect. Whether safeguarding data in web applications from insider threats or external attacks, enterprise browsers offer robust measures to keep sensitive information more secure. They also provide centralized management, which makes it easier for IT teams to enforce security policies and support compliance without sacrificing user experience.

By balancing security and usability, enterprise browsers become more than just a safer browsing option. They’re vital tools for modern enterprises looking to stay secure and efficient.

What’s next for enterprise browsers?

Enterprise browsers are evolving fast to meet new security challenges. As threats grow and businesses rely more on web-based tools, the need for built-in security and control is greater than ever. Here’s what’s coming next:

• Increased Zero Trust adoption in web browsing: Every access request will be verified, reducing the risk of breaches.
• SASE and SSE integration: Browsers will work with Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Security Service Edge (SSE) to provide seamless, cloud-based protection.
• Better control over SaaS and shadow IT: Companies will demand more observability of web app usage. This will help them identify SaaS/ web applications or AI tools and block access to reduce risks.

Enterprise browsers aren’t just about security. They’re shaping the future of how businesses access and protect their data. With smarter controls, seamless integration, and stronger defenses, they’ll continue to play a key role in workplace security.

Why businesses should prepare now

As businesses move more of their work online, securing web access is more important than ever. Unlike regular web browsers, their enterprise browsers provide the protection and control that businesses need.

Switching to an enterprise browser is easier than it seems. Being proactive about web security means using the right tools now to stay ahead of potential threats. With an enterprise browser, you can address security issues before they become problems.

NordLayer is currently developing the Enterprise Browser, which will give your business better observability and security within SaaS web-based environments. Our browser is designed to tackle modern workplace challenges, from protecting company resources to defending against web-based threats.

Join the waiting list today and be one of the first to try out a more secure way of browsing for your company.