Now is the time to explore the potential of enterprise browsers to harmonize security and efficiency in modern work environments.
Traditionally, the balance between increased productivity and improved cybersecurity has been more of a sliding scale than a rising tide.
But what if this frustrating tradeoff no longer existed? What would it look like for CIOs and CISOs to benefit simultaneously rather than make compromises and concessions? And what if, for the very first time, better cybersecurity also meant happier, more productive end users?
The workspace of the future – the enterprise browser – is bringing CIOs and CISOs together to enable all of the above.
Empowering CISOs to solve consumer browser security challenges
Conversations around switching a company to an enterprise browser traditionally start with the CISO.
Why? There are three main reasons.
First, the CISO understands the challenges of a consumer browser from a cybersecurity perspective, they are typically very open to a conversation about a browser that comes with better security built in.
Second, the CISO community is also active in looking for new technology; CISOs are typically early adopters, compared to CIOs or other IT leaders.
But most importantly, CISOs are aware of what the browser means to their organization and how much they’re spending to protect it. They understand the cost and effort of layering on various technologies such as proxies, remote browser isolation, and security agents to traditional consumer browsers to shield them from threats like phishing, malware, and ransomware, compensating for their lack of inherent enterprise-level security.
Overall, CISOs are the most open to the idea of a better way.
Balancing Security with User Experience and ROI for CIOs
But the CISO isn’t alone; the CIO is equally important in a conversation around adopting a new browser. Why? Because the impact of a new browser on end-user experience is their domain.
What CIOs quickly realize – and why they quickly get engaged in the conversation around enterprise browser adoption – is because an enterprise browser is not just another security add-on that threatens to upend employee productivity and user experience. On the contrary, an enterprise browser poses significant ROI around user experience, as well as modernizes the place where most work actually gets done in a SaaS-first world.
An enterprise browser integrates advanced security features directly into the browser, providing robust protection without compromising the user experience, and allowing organizations to streamline workflows and boost efficiency while ensuring enterprise-level security.
When a CISO introduces the concept of an enterprise browser to the CIO, they have likely already established the organization’s security requirements. This may include deploying solutions like Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) in call centers or enabling Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) environments. While the CISO may not have specifically recommended VDI, they likely set the security policies and data protection standards that made VDI the most viable solution at the time. As a result, when the CISO presents an alternative, such as an enterprise browser, the CIO is usually open to considering it.
Demonstrating the benefits of the enterprise browser
When CIOs are introduced to an enterprise browser, they’re quickly drawn to its ability to improve business operations, enhance customer experiences, and even create new value propositions — often all at a fraction of the cost of current systems.
However, some aren’t willing to risk a massive change overnight. That’s where the use cases come in, clearly demonstrating how an enterprise browser will directly solve specific problems they have. There’s usually a pain point the CIO is struggling with, whether it’s a point-of-sale device they can’t use, or contractor BYOD they’re trying to protect, or a call center they want to enable – some problem with last mile control and enablement.
A common scenario where a CIO will see a clear ROI is VDI reduction. Many companies deal with VDI because they’ve expanded, undergone mergers, or responded to complaints in their call centers. However, VDI is often despised by organizations and end users alike; it’s a poor experience with high costs and weak security. So it’s easy for the CIO to see that by moving away from VDI, she can save money, and have a happier security team and end users. It’s a win-win-win.
Once CIOs see firsthand how an enterprise browser can solve their unique challenges, they become confident and comfortable with adoption.
Satisfying CISO and CIO priorities
The CISO and CIO aren’t the massive divide they once were. The issues the CISO is worried about are often similar to the CIO, especially when it comes to the quality and performance of their systems and tools.
When evaluating new solutions, the CISO’s initial focus is ensuring that the organization’s security posture is being improved. The CIO tends to rely on the CISO’s judgment here. However, both leaders want to ensure business won’t be negatively impacted; no matter how good cybersecurity improvements are, they are meaningless if business operations suffer.
An enterprise browser provides both security and efficiency to the business — without compromising the user experience. It is the epitome of security by design, driving mutual respect for both priorities. Modern cars are an apt analogy. Cars got significantly safer when we stopped thinking about safety as an add-on. When we implemented crumple zones, airbags, and now radar systems, the car just continued to get safer. Those aren’t features we added after the car came off the show floor; they were added in the early design phases.
That’s what the enterprise browser does — creates that modern environment where security, lines of business, and user experience are all equal priorities – and none of them gets sacrificed for another. The three of those, together, are driving a wonderful outcome for enterprises. It’s something every CIO and CISO can agree on.
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