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Cyber attackers use different attack modes, including internal members of an organization, to create a successful cyber attack. A reason organizations are employing the zero trust approach while setting up their cyber security architecture.
Zero trust security architecture means that anyone within an organization must undergo security checks before they are given access to the browser. Remote browser isolation is very important for an organization that wants to implement a zero-trust security architecture.
Continue reading as we explain the meaning of browser isolation technology, and why it is so important within a zero-trust security framework.
What is Browser Isolation?
Browser isolation is a security measure used by organizations to prevent certain cyber attacks, such as phishing and SQL injection, from being successful.
In most cases, organizations employ the traditional method of safeguarding themselves from cyber attacks. They use known methods such as installing antivirus defense software, enabling ad blockers, and others.
However, hackers have grown beyond only using these methods when launching attacks against browsers. They now use sophisticated methods such as hacking into a website, launching malicious codes, and waiting for unsuspecting internet users to use such websites.
This is where browser isolation comes in, as it helps to ensure such attacks are kept away from an individual or organization.
Browser isolation is when an organization/individual creates a cloud-based container that examines and evaluates web content and website before users gain access to them. This ensures that any cyber threat or malicious content is removed from the website before the user visits them.
Understanding Remote Browser Isolation
Since the web browser has become arguably the most important tool for businesses worldwide, it has also become the biggest liability in terms of security threats.
As mentioned above, the security threats organizations receive in recent times have outgrown many traditional security measures. You can’t use only an ad or pop-up blocker in a digital setting where most attacks involve inserting codes on authentic websites. So modern security measures such as LayerX browser-agnostic platform, enterprise browsers, and remote browser isolation are deployed by organizations.
So remote browser isolation is a security measure that involves separating users browsing activity from the general internet by hosting them in a remote cloud-based container. Like the general definition of browser isolation, the intent is to evaluate the pages users visit on the internet before granting them access.
In other words, remote browser isolation is also known as sandboxing internet browsing and usually protects users’ devices, data, and networks from any form of malicious code within the internet.
Remote browser isolation technology works in a similar method used with zero trust security architecture. It does not waste time determining if a website or web content is safe for users; instead, it remotely isolates all browsing activity in a cloud-based container.
When the user’s browsing activities are isolated in their cloud-based container, every line of code is evaluated before executing them.
Different Forms of Remote Browser Isolation
Here are the forms or rendering modes of remote browser isolation which can be used by individuals/organizations to secure their browsers.
● Pixel Pushing Method
This is a form of remote browser isolation technology created majorly for high-ranking executives with access to sensitive information in an organization. This is a remote browser isolation rendering mode that ensures that any data accessed by top executives remains secure.
The pixel-pushing method ensures that no font, JavaScript, style sheets, pictures, and other web content gets to the user endpoint. There’s no room even for a slight evaluation, as all websites are prevented from interacting with the user endpoint. This is to prevent high-risk websites from having a way of infecting the user’s browser with malicious website codes.
● DOM Rewriting
If an organization uses DOM rewriting to secure its web browser, it actively rewrites all the codes of a website before loading to remove any malicious codes. Web content containing an infected code can only be loaded when its code has been rewritten and found suitable for the end user.
It is a form of remote browser isolation used mainly for websites with medium risks, as it balances user experience with security.
● Streaming media
This is a form of remote browser isolation that allows only safe DOM elements in the user’s web browser, prioritizing better user experience.
This form of remote browser isolation is mainly used for low-risk websites as the emphasis here is on good user experience, with high security coming only after that.
Why Remote Browser Isolation is Core to Zero-trust Security
Zero-trust is a security architecture that ensures that every web user within and outside an organization is verified and authenticated before accessing any software or web data. This security framework automatically assumes that every user carries a security threat and must be authenticated before granting access to any data.
A zero-trust security framework ensures that an organization continuously monitors and authenticates users with privileges before they can use and share certain data.
With the increase in the cyber threats that several organizations and individuals face while using the internet, the zero trust framework is often employed.
Many businesses whose major operations are on the internet are integrating remote browser isolation into their zero trust strategies because of how well it fits. Remote browser isolation has many things in common with the zero-trust approach to web security.
First, the remote browser isolation assumes that no web content is safe and evaluates them before reaching the end user. This web content is first evaluated in a virtual container that is automatically destroyed whenever a user’s internet session ends.
This aligns with the requirements of the zero trust framework as it is wary of any web content no matter where and who it is coming from; there’s no room for trust with remote browser isolation.
It is worth noting that remote browser isolation isn’t the only browser security method that can offer zero trust security. For example, LayerX (a browser-agnostic platform) has zero trust access systems to ensure sophisticated security in a browser.
Conclusion
Because of how sophisticated many web attacks are becoming, many individuals and organizations are employing security measures that can keep these attacks away.
Remote browser isolation is a security measure that prevents web content from reaching the end user point without being scanned and evaluated.
Due to the characteristics of remote browser isolation, it corresponds with the zero trust strategies of several internet users. It automatically assumes that no web content is safe for the end user until they are scanned in a cloud-based container.
