Web Session Management – Extending PAM Protection to Web Application
In cybersecurity, we’ve become used to protecting the usual suspects—servers, databases, network devices. But take a step back and consider how people work today, and you’ll notice something has changed. The browser isn’t just for email or casual browsing anymore. It’s where administrators configure firewalls, developers deploy applications, and business teams access sensitive data.
As web applications become the primary interface for managing infrastructure and business operations, privileged activity is increasingly taking place in the browser. From cloud consoles to legacy admin portals, the browser has become a high-stakes environment.
Yet in many organisations, this browser-based access remains under-protected—unmonitored, loosely governed, and outside the scope of traditional Privileged Access Management (PAM). To secure it effectively, IT teams must enforce strong authentication at the right time, for the right users, and for the right targets. This shift demands a new approach—one that brings browser-based access fully into your PAM strategy.
What is Web Session Management for PAM?
WSM for PAM is a purpose-built solution that secures browser-based activity—without relying on legacy architectures or clunky add-ons. Think of it as a new lens through which to view PAM: one where web sessions are not only visible, but also controlled, audited, and protected.
What’s the scope of WSM (Web Session Management)?
Web Session Management for PAM is designed specifically for web applications—cloud consoles, admin dashboards, and browser-based interfaces that would otherwise fall outside the scope of traditional PAM oversight.
A Real-World Example
In a hypothetical scenario, the IT architect at a multinational company has helped implement a robust PAM strategy over the years. Yet, with growing reliance on browser-based applications, it becomes clear that additional layers are needed to extend PAM’s coverage into the web application space. While core systems remain well protected, accessing internal web apps still involves overly complex steps—often relying on intermediary processes not designed with browser-based workflows in mind. What once worked well for server access now feels heavy-handed for web tools. Some users, pressed for time, begin to circumvent the official process. External contractors face delays and inconsistent access experiences. As the company prepares for a compliance audit, the architect realises that the existing PAM framework must evolve—not by replacing it, but by complementing it with a streamlined way to manage and audit web sessions, extending its benefits to the modern workplace.
Why Web Session Management for PAM Matters?
The browser has become a privileged workspace—and attackers know it. In a world of remote work, hybrid infrastructure, and supply chain risk, every unmonitored web session is a potential breach. Yet many organisations still rely on methods that are often complex or fragmented—if they secure them at all. WSM for PAM brings browser-based access into the scope of PAM with a solution built for modern environments:
- Security: Isolate sessions, restrict URLs, and enforce policies—with zero local exposure.
- Usability: Keep workflows fluid for users—no plug-ins or complex setups.
- Efficiency: Simplify infrastructure and operations with a leaner, browser-native approach.
Web Session Management for PAM in Operational Technology (OT)
As more industrial systems adopt web interfaces for configuration, monitoring, and maintenance, the risks of unauthorised access and credential leakage grow exponentially.
Web Session Management for PAM addresses this by isolating every session and enforcing strict access policies tied to specific users, timeframes, and URLs. This ensures secure, auditable interactions—even within air-gapped or segmented networks.
Here’s how WSM applies to real-world OT environments, where browser-based tools are rapidly becoming the norm:
Key Use Cases in Operational Technology:
- Industrial Equipment Supervision (Industrial Hypervisors):
WSM for PAM secures access to web-based tools used for managing PLCs, sensors, and other field devices. Only authorised personnel can access these interfaces—via isolated, pre-approved sessions that leave no trace on local machines.
- Smart Building Management (BMS Hypervisors):
Whether it’s HVAC, lighting, or energy control systems, building hypervisors are now accessed via browsers. Our solution enables facility teams and contractors to interact with these platforms securely—without exposing internal systems or relying on VPNs.
- Critical Infrastructure Supervision:
Power grids, water treatment plants, and other essential services use browser-based supervision systems. Our solution secures these environments with full session isolation, audit logs, and URL restriction—supporting compliance with industry standards such as NIS2, IEC 62443, and ISO 27001.
What’s the Benefits of Privileged Access Management in Cybersecurity ?
What to Expect from a Modern Web Application Access Solution
As sensitive operations increasingly move to the browser—from managing infrastructure to accessing ERP and invoicing systems—web access must become a first-class citizen of PAM.
Securing web sessions is no longer just about authentication. It requires a holistic approach that delivers security, usability, and operational efficiency—without compromise.
1. Security: Isolate, Restrict, and Audit—by Design
The browser is now a privileged workspace. Treating it as such means isolating it from the local machine—and that’s where Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) plays a key role.
Remote Browser Isolation for Web Application Security
One of the most effective ways to secure browser-based access is through Remote Browser Isolation (RBI). Each session runs in a disposable cloud or on-premises environment, destroyed at the end of the session—minimising the impact of any compromise.
Combined with PAM controls, RBI enforces Zero Trust principles at the browser level—where endpoint protections often fall short.
Specifically:
- Sessions are isolated in secure containers, fully detached from the user’s device.
- Only pre-approved domains are accessible; all other URLs and redirections are blocked.
- Full session recording, logging, and metadata collection support detailed auditing and compliance.
This doesn’t just reduce risk—it closes entire categories of attack surface, including credential theft, malware injection, and lateral movement via the browser.
2. User Experience: Secure Doesn’t Mean Disruptive
Security that hinders users simply won’t last. A modern solution must be frictionless for both users and administrators:
- Users maintain their workflows—accessing web sessions directly in the browser.
- No plug-ins, no agents—everything runs within modern browsers, reducing IT overhead.
- Non-technical teams benefit too—marketing, finance, and operations can securely access sensitive apps with minimal onboarding.
Meanwhile, administrators retain full control: defining application scopes, access durations, and authorisation policies from a central console.
3. Operational Efficiency: Less Complexity, Lower Costs
Legacy setups often rely on RDS, AD, or Terminal Services—complex, costly, and difficult to maintain. A purpose-built solution eliminates these burdens.
- Native integration with existing security tools simplifies architecture and enhances resilience.
- No more reliance on Windows-specific tools, reducing licensing costs and team silos.
- Greater autonomy for PAM teams, who no longer require external administrators or platform-specific expertise to secure browser sessions.
All of this leads to simpler operations and a leaner IT budget—without compromising on robust access controls.
Ready to close the browser gap in your security strategy?
Explore how Web Session Manager for PAM fits into your environment and get started today.
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