Web browser technologies have been around for decades. But their importance in enterprise landscapes has risen substantially. Research by Palo Alto Networks shows that today, workers spend over 85% of their time using browsers to get work done. Yet browsers weren’t built to address the security needs of modern businesses. Knowing this, Palo Alto Networks IT wanted to:
- Protect work in the browser from sophisticated web threats and malware.
- Protect company data from intentional and accidental data loss.
- Apply consistent security policies across managed and unmanaged devices.
- Ensure that security feels seamless for users without hindering productivity.
“There are capabilities in Prisma Access Browser that make the transition from other browsers seamless. You don’t even notice it.”
Meerah Rajavel
Chief Information Officer, Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks acquired Talon Cyber Security to expand its security offerings for customers. The company recognized the product would be invaluable for customers seeking to strengthen their web and data protection. It could also provide greater security within its own organization.
Palo Alto Networks IT is always empowered to choose the best products for the tasks when it comes to security. Prisma Access Browser offered a path for employees and independent workers to securely access company applications and work from the browser. Also, the solution provided a streamlined mechanism for rapidly and securely onboarding and offboarding independent workers, like contractors.
To get the most security value from the solution, Palo Alto Networks IT planned for an aggressive rollout that would ensure everyone in the company and its independent workers receive the solution in just two months. The effort began with a pilot focused on independent workers using unmanaged devices. Meerah Rajavel, CIO, notes, “With Prisma Access Browser, we can now control what kind of assets independent workers access while getting full visibility into their actions. We can also do data loss prevention.”
The IT team used learnings from the pilot rollout to expand deployment to all 20,000+ employees. To ensure a smooth transition, the IT team started with a core set of security policies which grew over time, allowing space for adjustments as needed. One advantage of Prisma Access Browser for Palo Alto Networks has been how easy it is to set up and use. Rajavel explains, “The beautiful thing is that it’s just a Chromium browser and pretty much every user is used to having a Chrome browser. There’s zero learning curve.”
The solution has enabled Palo Alto Networks to secure the space where workers spend most of their day. Rajavel notes, “With Prisma Access Browser, we’ve been able to reduce a number of risks and really improve our security efficacy.” The IT team has full visibility into web traffic and can apply powerful anti-phishing with Advanced URL Filtering for added protection.
The company also gained stronger data protection. For example, employees can’t cut and paste data out of the browser into unsanctioned apps, keeping sensitive information secure. And with Advanced WildFire® protection, the company can detect malware and prevent employees from downloading compromised files.
“Prisma Access Browser allows us to get visibility into employee browser interactions across different device forms, whether managed or unmanaged. And it fits in our Zero Trust architecture very nicely.”
Shivneet Singh
Vice President, Infrastructure and First Customer Experience, Palo Alto Networks
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