Google LLC today debuted a set of new capabilities for Chrome Enterprise, a paid version of its browser geared towards organizations.
Some of the feature additions are designed to help administrators enforce cybersecurity rules. The others focus on making workers more productive.
Introduced in 2017, Chrome Enterprise includes controls that enable companies to block malicious browser extensions, disable unneeded features and take other steps to reduce the risk of hacking. It’s available in two editions. There’s the basic Chrome Enterprise Core version and Chrome Enterprise Premium, which debuted this past April and includes additional features for blocking malware.
The new release of the browser that Google detailed today introduces so-called Device Trust Connectors. Those are integrations for Okta, Ping and Cisco Duo, cloud services that companies use to process employee login requests to internal applications. Chrome Enterprise customers that use the three services can now more easily implement a cybersecurity best practice known as context-aware access.
Context-aware access makes it possible to adjust how difficult it is to log into an application based on data about the device from which the user is signing in. For example, an enterprise might only require workers to use a YubiKey two-factor authentication module if they’re logging in from a new laptop. It’s also possible to adjust the login process based on other device-related data points.
Google’s new Device Trust Connectors enable Chrome Enterprise to gather the device data necessary to implement context-aware access. According to the company, that reduces the amount of manual work involved in the task and thereby saves time for administrators.
Google is also rolling out new features for companies that allow staffers to use Chrome Enterprise on personal devices. At such organizations, some employees may log into the browser with both personal Chrome profiles and work profiles. Google is adding controls that make it possible to apply a company’s cybersecurity policies to work profiles without affecting personal ones.
Cybersecurity teams also have access to a new cloud-based dashboard for monitoring the work profiles they manage. The dashboard provides information about the browser version that a worker is running, the extensions installed in that browser installation and related details.
The other enhancements that debuted today aim to improve the user experience of employees who use Chrome Enterprise to carry out their day-to-day work.
A redesigned login menu will provide workers with more information on what data their organization can access via Chrome Enterprise. Additionally, Google has added a tool that makes it easier to move account data such as bookmarks from a personal Chrome profile to a work profile.
Chrome Enterprise’s new tab interface is being enhanced as well. A new Google Calendar integration will enable users to view their daily schedules without having to manually launch the application. Additionally, administrators can now customize the new tab interface with shortcuts to a worker’s most frequently used business applications.
Alongside the Chrome Enterprise upgrades, Google today previewed two upcoming enhancements to Chrome. One of the feature additions will allow users to sync tab groups between devices. Another new capability will suggest webpages to revisit based on tabs that the user has opened on other devices.