Google recently introduced Chrome Enterprise Core, a cloud-based tool designed to help enterprises manage and secure their Chrome browsers. Chrome Enterprise Core addresses the complex needs of modern businesses, providing enterprises with a streamlined way to configure and oversee browser setups across many different devices and platforms – promising to improve security, improve visibility, and cohesive management for IT teams.
Why Chrome Enterprise Core is a must-have for enterprise security
Chrome Enterprise Core gives enterprises the tools they need to manage Chrome browsers’ security and settings across both mobile and desktop devices. This comes with centralized control, letting organizations better enforce policies, manage extensions, and monitor browser activity.
Leveraging this tool, enterprises can better protect themselves against browser-based vulnerabilities and make sure their workforce’s online activity aligns with company security standards.
Chrome Enterprise Core provides a unified console for configuring and managing browser policies, settings, apps, and extensions. IT teams can set up and enforce policies across the entire organization for improved consistency and security.
This extends to both mobile and desktop devices, making it a versatile tool for managing a diverse array of endpoints. Additionally, administrators can block problematic extensions, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities and enhancing overall browser security.
Comprehensive browser protection features
Chrome Enterprise Core addresses the increasing threats of phishing, man-in-the-browser attacks, and cryptojacking.
Key security features include the ability to harden browser settings, monitor and control extensions and plug-ins, filter websites for appropriate use, and isolate malicious files. This helps make sure that enterprises are compliant with security standards and can quickly identify and address vulnerabilities.
Visibility and control over your browser fleet
For security teams, having better visibility into browser deployments is key. Chrome Enterprise Core offers policies for extension management, requiring approvals before downloads and allowing for restrictions or blocks when necessary. Only vetted and secure extensions are used within the organization.
Chrome Enterprise Core also tracks browser versions in use, identifying outdated software and facilitating quick updates to maintain security and performance standards.
Flexibility of cloud-based browser policy management
Chrome Enterprise Core’s cloud-based nature means policies can be pushed to users signing into Chrome on iOS devices, supporting both managed and unmanaged browsers. This is vital in a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) environment, where separating work profiles from personal profiles is a must.
Group-based management allows different policies to be applied to different teams, such as developers or sales teams, and JSON custom configurations can be deployed from the cloud, adding another layer of customization and control.
Advanced security events logging and alerts
The tool will include an upcoming analytics feature for security events logging, providing early warnings about data leaks, whether deliberate or accidental. Chrome Enterprise Core scans data transfers against 50 default Data Loss Prevention (DLP) detectors, generating reports on insider activities and transfers of sensitive content. Enterprises can more effectively mitigate risks before they escalate.
Chrome Enterprise Core collects crash prevalence reports, letting internal IT teams analyze potential browser issues within the organization and helps identify and resolve problems promptly, maintaining the stability and performance of browsers across the enterprise.
Industry experts weigh in on the benefits of Chrome Enterprise Core
ManageEngine’s insights on strengthening browser security
VimalRaj Sampathkumar from ManageEngine highlighted the importance of browser security tools, emphasizing that hardening browser settings, monitoring extensions, and securing against cyberattacks are key for protecting organizations. Leveraging tools like Chrome Enterprise Core, enterprises can greatly reduce their vulnerability to browser-based threats.
Jamf’s take on balancing security and user experience
Suzan Sakarya from Jamf discusses the balance between user experience and security. She noted that visibility and control over browser extensions are key for maintaining this balance. Sakarya also points out the importance of identifying and resolving outdated software issues, so that users have a secure and seamless browsing experience.
A growing need for browser management
Addressing rising browser-based threats with stronger controls
With the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, enterprises face a growing challenge in protecting their browser environments. Here are key areas where stronger controls are urgently needed:
- Phishing: A significant increase in attempts to deceive users into revealing sensitive information, pointing out the urgency for implementing browser security measures.
- Man-in-the-browser attacks: The growing prevalence of these attacks, where malicious software manipulates web interactions unnoticed, requires stricter browser controls to better ensure data integrity.
- Cryptojacking: Swiftly dealing with unauthorized cryptocurrency mining through infected browsers helps protect computing resources being exploited.
Enterprises must stay vigilant and proactive in securing browser environments to protect against these ever-evolving and increasingly savvy threats.
Prevent data leaks with advanced DLP scanning technology
Chrome Enterprise Core scans data transfers using 50 default Data Loss Prevention (DLP) detectors to identify sensitive content and prevent data leaks. This provides real-time alerts and detailed reports, letting IT teams take quick action in response to limit potentially very costly leaks.
Continuously monitoring data transfers helps protect against unauthorized access and breaches, keeping sensitive information secure.
Leverage early warning systems for proactive security management
Security events logging deliver valuable insights into data transfer activities and potential leaks. Early warning systems help enterprises identify threats and implement preventive measures. Monitoring these activities constantly, organizations can address security issues early on and reduce the risk of incidents before they escalate.
