Key Points
- Browser management helps MSPs secure and manage client browsers at scale through standardized configurations across client environments.
- MSPs need a browser management strategy to reduce browser-related security risks at scale.
- Browser management complements endpoint management, security operations, and compliance workflows.
- MSPs should standardize browser security baselines before tailoring controls for each client.
Browser management for MSPs has become a core part of protecting client environments. This has become the reality, especially today, when many business activities are conducted in browsers alongside desktop applications. This creates operational challenges, such as securing browser instances across multiple client environments without requiring constant manual reviews by technicians.
In this article, we will look into how browser management should always correlate with security and what encompasses the process, why it matters for managed service providers, and where it aligns with managed services strategies.
What is browser management for MSPs
Browser management for MSPs is the structured administration of browser settings, versions, extensions, profiles, and policies across the client environments, devices, and users an MSP manages. It provides a consistent approach for applying and managing browser policies across client environments.
Browser management covers the following:
- Approved browser standards: Defines approved browsers and minimum supported versions to help ensure managed devices do not run outdated or unsupported browsers.
- Automatic updates: Automatically apply browser updates to patch known vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
- Extension configurations: Add extensions to allowlists and blocklists to limit exposure from risky or unreliable browser add-ons.
- Profiles: Enforce sync restrictions and managed browser profiles to prevent corporate data from being mixed with personal accounts.
- Site permission settings: Configure site permissions and download/upload restrictions to control how websites access browser resources and how users can transfer data through the browser.
- Browser integrity checks: Detect and report issues that may affect browser security and reliability, giving technicians visibility into the browser security posture across client environments.
Why MSPs need a browser management strategy
MSPs operate across many clients simultaneously. This warrants a robust browser management strategy, as a single client may involve hundreds of browser profiles across devices running different operating systems, including contractor devices and shared workstations. An effective browser management strategy prevents:
- Outdated browser versions with known, publicly documented vulnerabilities
- Installation of unreviewed extensions
- Employees from signing into personal browser profiles on work devices
- Uploading files to unauthorized SaaS or AI platforms
- Users from bypassing browser security warnings out of habit rather than caution
Where browser management fits in the MSP service model
Browser management operations can align with existing services MSPs already offer. This approach extends existing workflows that maximize productivity by not duplicating administrative effort or creating separate management processes.
Browser management typically connects with:
Endpoint and RMM-based monitoring
Endpoint and remote monitoring and management (RMM) platforms are set up to monitor devices. Depending on the platform and its configuration, administrators can also monitor browser-related information, such as installed versions, update status, or compliance with organizational policies.
MDM
Mobile device management (MDM) platforms are an ideal solution for device policy enforcement, particularly for mobile and Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) scenarios.
Security operations
Browser activities can show the first signs of compromise. Security monitoring tools and incident response workflows can use these indicators to initiate an investigation or response when potential threats are detected.
Compliance reporting
Regulated industries often require documentation of the security controls organizations have in place. Browser management can support this by providing visibility into browser settings, security configurations, and adherence to organizational standards.
Onboarding and offboarding
Browser management strategies streamline onboarding and offboarding by ensuring browser profiles, extensions, and access permissions are provisioned for new users, and revoked for employees or contractors who leave.
Browser security controls MSPs should standardize
A baseline set of controls that are applied consistently gives MSPs a starting point that can then be adjusted per client. This typically includes:
- Approved browsers and minimum supported versions
- Automatic updates
- Extension allowlists updated based on periodic reviews
- Syn and autofill restrictions
- Managed work profiles
- Safe browsing defaults
- Download and upload restrictions
Baselines should depend on compliance requirements. For example, clients with stricter compliance requirements, such as those in finance or healthcare, can receive a more stringent version of the same baseline. MSPs can package these baselines into a reusable template so they don’t have to build the configuration from the ground up for every client.
Enforcing browser management strategies effectively
Browser management for MSPs is a significant undertaking, as browser activities are susceptible to threats, thereby extending an organization’s attack surface. Moreover, browsers continue to carry more sensitive business activity, which can introduce security gaps that effective browser management can help mitigate. MSPs can standardize baseline configurations that adapt to each client’s risk level. This can reduce operational overhead while helping clients maintain a secure browsing environment.
Related topics:
