RBI (Remote Browser Isolation)
What is Remote Browser Isolation (RBI)?
Remote browser isolation (RBI) is a cybersecurity technique that separates a user’s web browsing activity from their local network and endpoints by executing browser sessions in an isolated, remote environment (typically in the cloud). The rendered content is then safely streamed back to the user’s device, allowing interaction without direct contact between the web content and the endpoint.
The core goal of RBI is to prevent browser-based threats — such as malware, drive-by downloads, and zero-day exploits — from reaching and compromising local systems. By keeping all web activity in a controlled environment, RBI eliminates one of the most common threat vectors: the user’s browser.
How Browser Isolation Protects Users
Web browsers are one of the most frequently targeted tools in the enterprise. Employees access websites, click links, and download files as part of daily workflows — often unknowingly engaging with malicious content. RBI addresses this risk by creating a secure buffer between the browser and the endpoint, making it significantly harder for attackers to gain a foothold in the environment.
For businesses, RBI helps:
- Reduce malware infections from web browsing
- Prevent phishing and malicious links
- Support secure access to high-risk or untrusted sites
- Minimize reliance on detection-based defenses
- Maintain productivity without over-blocking web access
RBI is especially valuable in industries with strict compliance requirements or frequent exposure to phishing and web-based threats.
How RBI Works
RBI solutions function by executing all browsing activity in an isolated container, either in the cloud or on a remote server. The user never interacts directly with the raw web content — only with a safe rendering of it.
Here's how a typical RBI session works:
- User initiates a browser session: Instead of launching locally, the session is executed in a remote environment managed by the RBI platform.
- Web content is rendered remotely: All scripts, files, and media are processed in the isolation layer, preventing malicious content from reaching the endpoint.
- Pixel or document object model (DOM) streaming to endpoint: A sanitized version of the session — often as pixels or a DOM — is streamed back to the user, allowing full interaction without exposure.
- Content policies enforced: Administrators can define rules around downloads, clipboard access, or file uploads to further restrict risk during isolated sessions.
- Session termination: When the user closes the browser or tab, the session is destroyed, eliminating any lingering threats.
Some RBI platforms offer integration with web gateways or secure access solutions, ensuring that isolation policies are applied automatically based on user roles, risk levels, or URL categories.
The Importance of Remote Browser Isolation
RBI is critical because it redefines how organizations defend against browser-based threats. Rather than relying solely on detection, which can miss zero-day exploits or cleverly disguised malware, RBI embraces a prevention-first mindset.
By executing all browser activity in an environment that cannot harm the endpoint, RBI neutralizes entire categories of attacks, including:
- Malicious JavaScript
- Exploit kits
- Weaponized downloads
- Watering hole attacks
- Web-based phishing attempts
This proactive posture is especially useful in defending high-risk users (such as executives or finance teams), enabling safe browsing without constant intervention from security teams.
RBI also reduces alert fatigue and false positives by preventing threats outright, rather than constantly analyzing and flagging potentially risky content.
Real-World Examples of RBI
- Executive protection: A financial institution uses RBI to protect executives and board members who frequently interact with high-risk communications and unknown websites.
- Research teams accessing untrusted content: A media organization enables RBI for investigative journalists, allowing them to visit potentially malicious or compromised sites safely.
- Contractor access control: A government agency requires contractors to browse through RBI environments to prevent accidental exposure to malware when accessing external content.
- Click-time protection in emails: RBI is used in tandem with secure email gateways so that all clicked links from emails open in an isolated browser session, minimizing phishing risks.
- High-compliance environments: A healthcare company adopts RBI to meet regulatory requirements for secure browsing, ensuring that no web-based threat can reach clinical systems or patient data.
Key Takeaways
RBI separates web content from user devices by executing browsing activity in a secure, remote environment. It prevents threats like malware, phishing, and drive-by downloads from ever reaching the endpoint — all while maintaining user productivity. By reducing reliance on detection and creating a strong line of defense against web-based attacks, RBI helps organizations browse safely, reduce risk, and improve security posture.
Ready to see how Anomali can help your organization defend against web-based threats? Request a demo.
