Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) is a cybersecurity technology that isolates web browsing activity from the endpoint device to significantly reduce the attack surface for rogue links and files. It aims to physically isolate an internet user's browsing activity (and the associated cyber risks) away from their local networks and infrastructure.
How RBI Works
RBI works by rendering and executing web content in a remote, isolated environment, such as a cloud server or a virtual machine, rather than directly on the user's device. This prevents malicious code from interacting with the user's device or local network.
Here's the process in a nutshell:
- User clicks on a link or opens a web page.
- The link or web page is sent to a remote server.
- The remote server renders and executes the web content.
- The remote server sends a pixel-based stream of the webpage to the user's device.
- The user sees the webpage and interacts with it as if it were running on their device.
Benefits of RBI
RBI offers several benefits for organizations, including:
- Increased security: RBI significantly reduces the risk of malware infections and data breaches by preventing malicious code from executing directly on the user's device.
- Protection against zero-day attacks: RBI can protect against zero-day attacks, as the remote environment is not vulnerable to the same exploits as the user's device.
- Reduced IT burden: RBI can reduce the workload for IT administrators by centralizing web browsing security and eliminating the need to deploy and update security software on individual devices.
- Improved productivity: RBI can improve employee productivity by providing a secure and consistent web browsing experience across all devices.
Drawbacks of RBI
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to RBI:
- Latency: RBI can introduce some latency, as web content must be rendered and streamed from a remote server.
- Cost: RBI can be more expensive than traditional web security solutions, especially for large organizations.
- Complexity: Implementing and managing a browser isolation solution can be more complex than traditional web security solutions.
Overall, RBI is a valuable cybersecurity technology that can significantly improve the security of web browsing. However, it is important to carefully consider the needs of your organization and choose the right browser isolation solution for your specific requirements.
