The enterprise browser is transforming from a basic access point to the central workspace for employees, customers, and partners, according to technology leaders at the ETCIO Annual Conclave 2026. As work progresses across SaaS platforms, collaboration tools, AI assistants, and various devices, organizations are compelled to rethink security, productivity, and employee experiences centered around browser-native environments.
The panel discussion, titled “The Browser-Native Enterprise: Reimagining Work, Security, and Experience,” was moderated by Shipra Malhotra, Editor, ETCIO. Dipu KV, Senior President of Digital Transformation & Innovation at Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, remarked that the browser has become integral to employee and customer interactions. He highlighted that employees now access their workflow from diverse locations, including offices, homes, airports, and cafes, making the browser the primary medium for enterprise interaction.
“Employees do not sit only in the office anymore. They access work through the browser across locations,” stated Dipu.
Mukeshkumar D Jain, Executive Vice President and CTO at Capgemini, noted that the browser facilitates easier enterprise access, allowing for work from any location and device. However, he emphasized the need to enhance security measures around identity, browser extensions, and user behavior.
“Anytime, anywhere, any-device access becomes easier through the browser, but the security elements have to be built around it,” Jain remarked.
He also pointed out that the browser can assist enterprises in understanding user behavior, enhancing productivity, and delivering consistent digital experiences for employees. Vivek Agarwal, Head of Chrome Enterprise India & ASEAN at Google, stated that the browser has evolved into a platform for both consumption and creation in enterprises. As SaaS, cloud, and AI tools expand, the browser increasingly serves as the endpoint for work activities.
“The browser is becoming the new surface of work, not just for consumption but also for creation,” Agarwal said.
He noted that enterprises are transitioning from fragmented browser environments to standardized and secure strategies. Agarwal asserted that the security model is evolving from device-centric to user-centric governance.
“Security has to follow the user, not just the device, tool, or network,” he explained.
The discussion also touched on the emergence of shadow AI, with employees using unauthorized AI tools via browsers. Leaders expressed the necessity for organizations to maintain visibility of AI usage without hindering innovation, especially as these tools integrate into routine workflows.
Jain emphasized that browser-level controls can prevent sensitive company information from being transferred to unsanctioned AI platforms. Agarwal added that enterprises require governance frameworks that clearly differentiate between approved and unapproved AI tools while facilitating productivity.
The session concluded that browser-native work is set to redefine enterprise technology strategies. As the browser increasingly serves as the workspace, endpoint, and gateway for AI, organizations must prioritize securing it, governing it, and designing employee experiences around it.
(With inputs from Sachi Srivastava)
