Web Browser Redirector for Secure BYOD Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enterprises face challenges in securely accessing websites from within a secure corporate network due to compatibility issues with the type and version of web browsers installed on employee devices, particularly in BYOD environments, where uniform control over devices is limited, leading to security risks and user experience difficulties when using hosted web browser applications.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an address translation service and a redirector service that redirects a user's web browser application to a hosted web browser application, using an IP or URL address, allowing access to incompatible or unsecure websites by preconfiguring a client agent to present the hosted browser's content within the user's browser, thereby overcoming compatibility and security constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If employees use their own devices (BYOD) for work purposes, then device availability and user convenience are improved, but network security control and device uniformity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a web browser gateway as an intermediary component that sits between the employee's personal device and the enterprise network. This gateway validates web browser requests, enforces security policies, and mediates access to corporate resources, thereby maintaining security control while allowing employees to use their own devices without requiring uniform device configurations
2Reliability
If a specific type and version of web browser is mandated for security reasons, then network security is improved, but website compatibility and user flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the web browser execution environment from the employee's personal device and relocates it to a secure enterprise-hosted environment. The web browser gateway hosts the actual web browser application on enterprise infrastructure, allowing the enterprise to control the browser type and version for security reasons while still providing access to various websites through the hosted browser, thus resolving the compatibility issue
3Reliability
If hosted web browser applications are deployed to ensure security and compatibility, then network security and website access are improved, but user experience complexity and operational difficulty deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality where the web browser gateway automatically performs security validations, browser version management, and compatibility adjustments without requiring user intervention. The system autonomously handles the complexity of hosted browser configurations, policy enforcement, and security checks, presenting a simplified interface to users while maintaining robust security and compatibility in the background
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for redirecting a web browser application for secure web browsing are described herein. In various embodiments, a user web browser application executing within a secure network may request the content of a website outside of the secure network. In response to the request, an address translation service may redirect the user web browser application to a redirector service to respond to the request. In response to the request, the redirector service may request a hosted web browser application that may be able to navigate to the requested website. In further response to the request, the redirector service may send, to the user web browser application, a client agent which may display the output generated by a hosted web browser application within the user web browser application.