In short: A secure enterprise browser is a business browser, or a browser extension, that adds security, data loss prevention and access controls to web browsing. It can block phishing, stop copying or downloading of sensitive data, and give contractors safe access to internal apps without a VPN or VDI. Products are licensed per user.
What is a secure enterprise browser?
For many staff the browser is now the workplace: email, CRM, finance, HR and file storage all run in it. That makes the browser a natural place for security controls.
There are two main approaches:
- Enterprise browsers are full browsers, typically built on Chromium so they feel familiar, with security and management built in. Island is a well-known example. Admins control what users can copy, paste, download, print or screenshot in each application, and can give access to private internal apps without a VPN.
- Browser security extensions add protection to the browsers people already use, such as Chrome and Edge. Check Point Harmony Browse, DefensX and Perception Point's browser security work this way, focusing on phishing, malicious downloads and credential protection.
Google also offers Chrome Enterprise Premium, which adds data protection and threat controls to managed Chrome.
Secure browsers are particularly useful in three situations. The first is contractors and third parties, who need access to a few business applications from devices you do not own or manage. The second is protecting sensitive applications, such as finance or customer data systems, where you want to stop data being copied out or downloaded to an unmanaged device. The third is cutting phishing risk for everyone, by checking pages and blocking credential entry on suspicious sites at the moment of use.
They are not a replacement for endpoint protection or email security. Instead, they add a control point at the place where users actually interact with data, and they often allow organisations to retire virtual desktop or VPN set-ups that existed only to give contractors limited access.
Secure enterprise browsers: vendors and products we supply
- Check Point: Endpoint, email, SASE, mobile, browser, WAF and MDR licences in one Check Point Portal tenant.
- Check Point Harmony Browse: In-browser zero-phishing and download protection, licensed per user.
- DefensX: Browser security with DNS protection, phishing and credential defence, AI data controls and ZTNA.
- DefensX Browser security: Core, Core Plus, Premium and Premium+ editions compared, licensed per user.
- DefensX Nexi AI: AI agent that turns browser activity into reports on productivity, AI use and risk.
- Island: Enterprise browser and extension with built-in security, per user.
- Island Enterprise Browser: Managed Chromium browser with DLP, safe browsing and zero trust add-ons.
- Island Extension: Island controls inside Chrome, Edge, Safari and Firefox, per user.
- Keeper Security: Zero-knowledge business password manager and KeeperPAM privileged access, licensed per user.
- Keeper Security Remote Browser Isolation: Isolated, recorded access to web apps from the vault, with no VPN.
- Perception Point: Email, browser and Microsoft 365 collaboration security with managed incident response.
- Perception Point Advanced Browser Security: Browser extension for phishing protection, DLP and governance, per user.
- Sophos: Endpoint, EDR, XDR, MDR, firewall, email and mobile security licences, managed in Sophos Central.
- Sophos Workspace Protection: Protected Browser, ZTNA, DNS Protection and Email Monitoring System in one per-user licence.
What to look for
- Phishing and malicious site protection, including zero-day phishing pages
- Data controls per application: copy, paste, download, upload, print and screenshot rules
- Unmanaged device support for contractors and BYOD, without taking over the whole device
- Private application access as an alternative to VPN or virtual desktops
- Credential protection: warning users before they enter corporate passwords on unknown sites
- Central policy and audit that integrates with your identity provider
How secure browsers are licensed
Secure browsers and browser security extensions are normally licensed per user, with tiers for features such as data loss prevention, private app access or advanced phishing protection. Some vendors sell contractor or third-party user packs. Because browser security often overlaps with SASE and ZTNA and DNS filtering, check what your existing tools already cover before you buy.
How to choose
- Identify the use case: phishing protection for all staff, data control for sensitive apps, or contractor access without devices.
- Decide between a full enterprise browser and an extension for existing browsers.
- Check compatibility with your critical web applications.
- Plan how users will switch, including bookmarks, profiles and extensions.
- Agree how browser policy will be managed alongside your identity provider and device management, so rules stay consistent as staff join, change role and leave.
Our specialist page on Check Point Harmony Browse covers one extension-based option in detail.
How we help
We help you decide whether a secure browser fits alongside your current security stack, supply licences on your account and support the roll-out. Contact us for a quote.
How Forever Systems supplies your software licences
Forever Systems Ltd supplies business software subscriptions to UK organisations from one account, with one monthly invoice and a UK team who know the products.
- The right edition first time: we check what you need before you buy, so you are not paying for features you will never use
- Monthly or annual terms where the vendor offers them, and help timing renewals and commitments
- Licence changes handled for you: add or remove users, upgrade editions and true-up without starting a new contract
- Deployment and support from engineers who run these products every day, not just a reseller account
- Consolidated billing and renewal reminders so nothing lapses unexpectedly
We work with businesses, schools, charities and public sector organisations of all sizes.
Need a licence quote or a second opinion on your renewal?
Tell Forever Systems what you need and we will come back to you by email with options, not a hard sell.
Contact usFrequently asked questions
What is an enterprise browser?
A business-grade browser, usually built on Chromium, with security, data protection and management controls built in, so IT can control how users interact with web applications.
Can a secure browser replace a VPN?
For web and some private applications it can, because some enterprise browsers include private application access. For broader network access you may still need ZTNA or a VPN.
Do users have to change browser?
Not with extension-based products, which add protection to Chrome, Edge and other browsers. Full enterprise browsers do mean switching, though they usually look and feel like Chrome.