The hybrid work model is here to stay, and it brings with it some unique challenges. Namely, how to maintain a seamless, productive, and secure experience for employees, whether they’re in the office, at home, or on the go.
This shift has created a sort of digital Wild West for IT and security teams. The old ways of doing things—relying on a perimeter-based security model that assumes everyone is safely tucked inside the office network—just don’t cut it anymore. We’ve gone from a single, fortified castle to a bunch of scattered outposts, and each one needs its own protection.
The problem is that the browser has become the new front door to a company’s most sensitive data. With something like 85% of business apps now being SaaS, a lot of work lives are lived inside a browser window. And with so much sensitive data floating around in the cloud, the question becomes: how do you keep it safe?
The problem with traditional security in a hybrid world
The move to a distributed workforce has expanded the attack surface, introducing a new set of risks for IT and security teams. Some of the top challenges include:
- Unmanaged devices and remote workforce: Employees, contractors, and partners often access corporate resources from personal (BYOD) or unmanaged devices, creating security gaps.
- Lack of visibility: Organizations often lack the visibility needed to monitor potential risks and user activities within the browser environment.
- Data exfiltration: Sensitive data can be easily transferred, either accidentally or maliciously, through downloads, uploads, or even copy-and-paste functions, especially on unmanaged devices.
- Complex and costly solutions: Relying on multiple, disparate security solutions can be complex, costly, and negatively impact the user experience.
Chrome Enterprise Premium: a secure-by-design approach
This is where Chrome Enterprise Premium steps in, offering a comprehensive and integrated solution that addresses the unique security and productivity challenges of a hybrid workforce. It’s a different way of thinking about browser security. It elevates the browser from a simple access point to a powerful and central security platform. It provides advanced security capabilities, all built within the familiar Chrome browser.
How does it work? Let’s take a look at how Chrome Enterprise Premium supports seamless hybrid work:
- Integrated data loss prevention (DLP): This one’s a big deal. It lets an organization set up policies to prevent sensitive data from leaving the company’s ecosystem. Rules can be set to block, warn, or audit actions like downloading, uploading, printing, or copying data. This is especially crucial for unmanaged devices and third-party SaaS applications.
- Context-aware access controls: This is all about zero trust. It’s a concept that assumes no one—or no device—is inherently trustworthy. It allows for the setup of policies that grant access to applications based on a whole bunch of factors: who the user is, where they’re located, and how secure their device is. This means a traditional VPN can be a thing of the past, which, as anyone who’s ever had to use one knows, can be a bit of a productivity killer.
- Advanced threat protection: Chrome Enterprise Premium taps into Google’s vast threat intelligence to help protect against malware and phishing attacks in real time, monitoring suspicious code and warning users about unsafe sites and files.
- Comprehensive security reporting: For the IT and security teams, this is a game-changer. It gives them instant visibility into what’s happening in the browser. They can see who the high-risk users are, which domains are a problem, and get alerts about data protection issues.
- Agentless and simple deployment: Unlike complex endpoint security solutions, Chrome Enterprise Premium is an agentless solution. Security controls are enforced the moment a user signs in to Chrome and continuously throughout use. This makes it super easy to manage, especially for bring-your-own-device (BYOD) scenarios.
Tools that seamlessly integrate security and productivity are going to win the day. The ones that are too complex, too costly, and too slow are going to get left behind. Solutions are needed that are as flexible as modern work lives. It’s not about choosing between being productive and being secure. It’s about creating an environment where both can be achieved at the same time.
Chrome Enterprise Premium empowers people to do their jobs from wherever they happen to be, while giving IT and security teams the visibility and control they need to keep the company’s data safe. It’s a win-win.Want to learn more about what Chrome Enterprise Premium can do for your enterprise? Download our ebook for in-depth insights and talk with a SADA expert to discuss your specific needs.
