SquareX on the importance of disposable browsers in security

In an era where cybersecurity threats loom large over enterprises, SquareX emerges as a formidable player in safeguarding organisations from web-based attacks. In an exclusive interview Vivek Ramachandran, CEO of SquareX, delves into the innovative solutions his company offers and the unique approach they bring to the cybersecurity landscape.

The approach

SquareX is dedicated to detecting, mitigating, and addressing threats that target enterprise employees while they navigate the web. As Ramachandran explains, “Almost all your employees today are online, on their web browser, spending 90% of their active work life on SaaS websites, third-party websites, and whatnot. Attackers have realised the same thing.” This realisation has led SquareX to develop solutions that protect organisations from web-based threats, which are becoming increasingly prevalent.

Disposable Browsers

One of the standout features of SquareX’s offering is the disposable browser. This innovative concept allows potentially malicious websites to be opened in a secure, cloud-based browser, thus preventing any threats from reaching the user’s system. “Rather than blocking, why not open this up in SquareX’s cloud browser projected back onto the user's browser? That way, the user experience is identical, but any real threat would only affect our cloud service, where it's already ringfenced,” Ramachandran elaborates.

The disposable browser is complemented by the disposable file viewer, which provides a similar level of protection for viewing potentially harmful files. This ensures that enterprise users can open suspicious files without risking their systems or data. “These technologies allow enterprises to let users open suspicious content safely, ensuring no harm can happen to their systems or data,” Ramachandran adds.

Seamless admin

A key aspect of SquareX’s solutions is the seamless user experience. Ramachandran emphasises that the disposable browser and file viewer offer an experience identical to using traditional browsers and file viewers. “With the disposable browser, it opens in a new tab, but that tab is a projection of a cloud browser from our servers. The experience is pretty seamless,” he notes.

This seamless integration extends to various infrastructures, ensuring that organisations using different platforms, such as Outlook and Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, can benefit from SquareX’s solutions without compatibility issues.

Visibility and automation

One of the primary challenges for enterprises is the lack of visibility into browser activities. SquareX addresses this by providing detailed insights into what is happening within the organisation’s browsers. Ramachandran points out, “Imagine a large enterprise with 30,000 or 40,000 users. There's absolute chaos with zero visibility. The moment they turn SquareX on, they get all of this visibility and can act on it.”

SquareX also offers auto-remediation, allowing organisations to automatically address common threats and activities. This feature, combined with high-level reporting and AI-driven analysis, helps organisations stay ahead of potential threats.

Artificial Intelligence

SquareX leverages AI at multiple levels to enhance its security offerings. “We incorporate AI at three different levels,” says Ramachandran. This includes detecting attacks using AI algorithms running in the browser, summarising events for administrators, and creating policies using generative AI. This multifaceted approach ensures that SquareX can provide robust protection and simplify security management for organisations.

Partnerships

Understanding the importance of seamless integration, SquareX partners with major SIEM products, ticketing systems like ServiceNow, and third-party threat feeds. “We integrate with known bad feeds from players like CrowdStrike, ReversingLabs, and VirusTotal, making detections simple,” Ramachandran explains.

Vision

SquareX has made significant strides since its inception 14 months ago. With funding from Sequoia Capital Southeast Asia and additional support from well-known angels and advisors, the company is poised for growth. Ramachandran highlights their progress, stating, “We have close to 200,000 cybersecurity and IT people using our free version. We launched the enterprise product at RSA last month and are beginning pilots with some of the largest companies.”

Looking ahead, SquareX aims to build out its AI capabilities and develop a comprehensive AI engine to seamlessly manage complex rules and policies. Ramachandran envisions a future where SquareX can solve complex use cases across organisational verticals, offering unparalleled protection and simplicity.

SquareX’s innovative approach to cybersecurity centred around disposable browsers, enhanced visibility, and AI integration, positions it as a crucial player in the industry. As enterprises continue to face sophisticated web-based threats, solutions like those offered by SquareX will be essential in ensuring robust protection and seamless user experiences.