Mitigate Threats Through Policy-Aligned Enterprise Browser Controls to Enable Compliance with Essential Eight

The Essential Eight, developed by the Australian Signals Directorate, has served as a preventative cybersecurity strategy for Australian businesses and Government departments alike since 2017. The Essential Eight includes multiple controls directly related to web browsers, and the importance of these mitigations are becoming increasingly relevant for Australian organisations today.

Web browsers have evolved into the central interface for user productivity in the modern workplace. Whether accessing internal applications, cloud services or third-party tools, users increasingly rely on browsers as their primary point of productivity. However, this ubiquity has made them an attractive and high-value target for threat actors, transforming an everyday productivity tool into a critical threat vector.

The modern workforce continues to evolve with the rapid adoption of cloud-based services. With that, and the increasing prevalence of browser-based threats, the need for a secure browser solution will increasingly come into focus for security teams in the near-term. Gartner, Inc. recently stated, “By 2028, 25% of organisations will augment existing secure remote access and endpoint security tools by deploying at least one Secure Enterprise Browser (SEB) technology to address specific gaps.”

Prisma Browser Is the Industry-First SASE-Native Secure Browser

Prisma Browser is Palo Alto Networks secure browser solution, designed to meet the demands of the modern workforce while addressing the increasing risk posed by browser-based threats. Delivered from the cloud, Prisma Browser extends enterprise-grade security controls to all browser sessions regardless of user, device or network location. Prisma Browser is a key component of the broader Prisma Access solution, which combines network and security services into a unified secure access service edge (SASE) solution. Unlike standalone browsers, Prisma Browser benefits from deep integration with our Cloud Delivered Security Services, powered by Precision AI®. These services include threat prevention, web control, malware analysis and data loss prevention (DLP), which are all enforced on the browser layer.

The solution is Infosec Registered Assessors Program (IRAP) assessed to the PROTECTED level, making it suitable for Australian Government departments and regulated industries seeking alignment with frameworks, such as the Essential Eight. Security teams can gain visibility and control over browser activity without deploying endpoint agents, while users benefit from a seamless and familiar browsing experience. All sessions are fully isolated within the browser with real-time policy enforcement that provides multidirectional threat protection, identity and data controls, as well as continuous verification for every session.

As organisations continue to adopt cloud services and enable hybrid work, Prisma Browser offers a practical path forward by providing strong security outcomes while maintaining a superior user experience. Its unique market position as a fully integrated, cloud-delivered browser solution enables organisations to uplift their security posture by extending zero trust principals to the browser. For security teams facing increased risk at the browser layer, Prisma Browser represents a forward-looking and scalable solution.

The Strategic Intent of the Essential Eight

The Essential Eight is a cybersecurity framework developed by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) to provide a practical and risk-based baseline for improving cyber resilience across government agencies and critical infrastructure. It consists of eight mitigation strategies designed to prevent common attack techniques, such as ransomware, credential theft and targeted intrusions.

The intent of the Essential Eight is to reduce an organisation’s exposure to cyberthreats by hardening systems against known exploits. By adopting its maturity model, which is measured from Level 0 to Level 3, organisations can assess their current posture and take measurable steps to uplift security posture in a structured and repeatable manner.

The Essential Eight is increasingly being recognised as a baseline standard across the Australian public sector and regulated industries. It is referenced in broader national policies, including the Security of Critical Infrastructure (SOCI) Act and the Australian Government’s Cybersecurity Strategy. These policy intersections reinforce the Essential Eight’s role as a foundational tool for building long-term cyber resilience.

Rather than acting as a static checklist, the Essential Eight aims to drive a preventative security culture. It encourages organisations to prioritise security measures that limit the likelihood of compromise, rather than simply responding to incidents after they occur. As threat actors continue to exploit weaknesses in endpoints and applications, the Essential Eight provides a clear and actionable path forward for organisations seeking to manage cyber risk in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Compliance Enforced at the Browser Edge

Prisma Browser delivers a proactive and policy-aligned solution for managing browser-based risks in today’s hybrid work environments. By integrating enterprise-grade security directly into the browser and aligning with the Essential Eight framework, organisations can strengthen cyber resilience while also improving user experience. Its cloud-native architecture, IRAP assessment at the PROTECTED level, and deep integration with Palo Alto Networks broader SASE solution makes it suited for the Australian Government and regulated industries.

Contact Palo Alto Networks for a demo to see how it transforms compliance mandates into practical, enforceable controls at the frontline of user interaction.

FAQs on Prisma Browser and Essential Eight

• What is Prisma Browser?
  Prisma Browser is Palo Alto Networks secure browser for work, designed to provide enterprise-grade security controls to all browser sessions, regardless of user, device or network location. It's a cloud-delivered solution that integrates with the broader Prisma Access solution to isolate workspaces, apply last-mile data and identity security controls, and improve user experience.
• What is the Essential Eight framework?
  The Essential Eight is a cybersecurity framework developed by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) that outlines eight mitigation strategies to improve cyber resilience for government agencies and critical infrastructure, helping to prevent common attack techniques like ransomware and credential theft.
• How does Prisma Browser help with Essential Eight and ISM compliance?
  Prisma Browser offers a powerful defense against cyberthreats by fortifying applications and helping organizations meet critical compliance standards, including browser-based Essential Eight controls up to Maturity Level 3 (ML3). It is also compliant with or contributes to compliance with several Information Security Manual (ISM) controls.