Written by James Palmer – Managing Consultant at Gradian
In today’s digital-first workplace, security and productivity are no longer separate priorities—they’re deeply intertwined. As organisations accelerate cloud adoption, enable hybrid work, and contend with an evolving threat landscape, traditional security approaches are struggling to keep up.
Enter the enterprise browser—a category of browsers purpose-built for business use. Unlike consumer-grade browsers designed for general web surfing, enterprise browsers are tailored to meet the demands of modern IT: zero trust architecture, data loss prevention, secure access, and deep enterprise manageability.
Among the contenders in this growing space, Island is emerging as the definitive leader. Let’s explore why.
What Is an Enterprise Browser?
An enterprise browser is more than just a locked-down version of Chrome or Edge. It’s a security and productivity platform disguised as a browser—engineered to give organisations visibility, control, and security at the point of access.
Features typically include:
- Granular data controls (disable copy/paste, downloads, printing)
- Integration with identity providers (Okta, Azure AD, Ping)
- Policy enforcement based on user/device/app context
- Monitoring and audit logging for compliance
- Remote browser isolation and protection against malicious web content
- Extension control and app whitelisting
These features make enterprise browsers ideal for securing SaaS access, enforcing BYOD policies, protecting sensitive data, and enabling zero-trust access to internal and third-party apps.
Why Island Enterprise Browser?
Island isn’t just another browser with a few enterprise plugins – it was built from the ground up for the enterprise. Founded by former Symantec and Fireglass executives, Island reimagines what a browser can do in a corporate context.
Here’s why it stands out:
✅ 1. Security Built In, Not Bolted On
Island allows you to control what users can do at the point of access:
- Prevent copy/paste of sensitive content
- Disable downloads or restrict them to specific devices or destinations
- Block screen capture or printing of confidential data
Unlike external agents or proxies, these controls are native to the browser, ensuring they’re accurate, reliable, and difficult to bypass.
✅ 2. Seamless User Experience
Despite its powerful security features, Island looks and feels like a modern Chromium-based browser. Employees don’t need to be trained to use it—it’s familiar and fast. There’s no trade-off between security and productivity.
✅ 3. Granular Policy Control
Admins can define contextual policies that adapt based on:
- User identity and role
- Device posture (managed vs. unmanaged)
- Application sensitivity
- Geolocation or network origin
This level of control empowers true Zero Trust access strategies.
✅ 4. Perfect for BYOD and 3rd Parties
Island excels in scenarios where employees, contractors, or partners access sensitive data from unmanaged devices. You can allow access without installing agents, while still enforcing robust controls and visibility.
✅ 5. Insight and Auditability
Everything that happens in the browser—every click, download, data share—is logged and available for analysis. This helps meet compliance mandates and detect insider threats in real time.
✅ 6. Fast Deployment and Integration
Island integrates easily with existing identity providers (Azure AD, Okta), SIEM platforms, and endpoint security tools. It can be deployed in days—not weeks or months.
Use Cases
| Scenario | Island Solution |
| Hybrid Work |
Secure access to apps on unmanaged devices, enforce policies without agents. |
| Call Centre |
Prevent screen capture, copy/paste, and printing of customer data.
|
|
Third-party Contractor |
Provide access to internal web tools with full DLP and visibility. |
| SaaS Governance |
Control how users interact with tools like Salesforce, Workday, or ServiceNow. |
|
Insider Threat Mitigation |
Detect and log risky behaviour in real time. |
Island vs Alternatives
| Feature | Island | Chrome Enterprise | Microsoft Edge for Business |
| Built for Enterprise? | ✅ Yes (from scratch) | ❌ No (consumer-first) | ❌ No (consumer-first) |
| Granular DLP Controls | ✅ Full | ⚠️ Limited via extensions | ⚠️ Limited via GPO |
| Agentless BYOD Support | ✅ Yes | ❌ Requires MDM | ❌ Requires Intune |
| Identity-Aware Access | ✅ Native | ⚠️ Partial | ⚠️ Via Azure AD only |
| Zero Trust Policies | ✅ Granular | ❌ Limited | ⚠️ Only basic enforcement |
| User Experience | ✅ Seamless Chromium UX | ✅ Chrome UX | ✅ Edge UX |
The Future of Enterprise Access
Traditional approaches like VPNs, agents, and CASBs are often complex, brittle, and reactive. The browser—already the hub of modern work—is now becoming the security and productivity control point.
Island isn’t just riding that wave—it’s leading it.
By embedding security and governance directly into the browsing experience, Island is redefining how organisations think about secure access, especially in a world where users, devices, and apps are no longer inside the same walls.
Ready to Try Island?
If your organisation is struggling with BYOD access, SaaS data control, or Zero Trust enforcement, Island offers a radically simpler and more effective solution. And since it’s just a browser, adoption is fast and frictionless.
While Island represents the cutting edge of enterprise browser technology, successfully implementing and maximising its potential requires expert guidance. That’s where we can help! As specialists, we help organisations navigate the transition from traditional security models to browser-based Zero Trust architectures. We’ll work with you to assess your current security posture, design tailored solutions, and ensure seamless integration with your existing infrastructure.
Whether you’re looking to secure hybrid work environments, enforce granular data controls, or enable secure third-party access, Gradian has the expertise to make your enterprise browser implementation a success – get in touch with us today!