Government & Public Sector's Remote Access Dilemma: Why VPNs and Virtual Desktops Are Costly—and How a Secure Enterprise Browser Can Transform Security

The government and public sector are at the heart of digital transformation. With rapid adoption of cloud services, hybrid work, and digital service delivery, browsers have become the primary interface for accessing sensitive data, citizen services, and internal applications. Yet, many agencies still rely on costly VPNs and virtual desktops to manage remote access and third-party collaboration. This legacy approach not only inflates operational costs but also leaves organizations exposed to sophisticated browser-based cyber threats.

This article explores why traditional remote access tools are failing the public sector, the real-world consequences of these gaps, and how investing in a secure enterprise browser like Kahana's Oasis can deliver the robust protection, compliance, and productivity that government organizations urgently need.

The High Cost and Complexity of Legacy Remote Access

Why Government Still Depends on VPNs and Virtual Desktops

Historically, agencies have leaned on VPNs and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) to provide remote access to internal systems. These solutions route all traffic through secure tunnels or virtualized environments, aiming to shield sensitive operations from cyberattacks and data leaks. However, as detailed in our VDI reduction analysis, this model comes with significant costs and growing limitations:

• Licensing and Infrastructure: Running VDI and VPN environments requires substantial investment in hardware, software, and ongoing support.
• IT Overhead: These systems demand constant monitoring, patching, and troubleshooting, stretching already overburdened IT teams.
• User Friction: VPNs and virtual desktops often slow down workflows, frustrate employees, and reduce productivity—especially for remote and field staff.
• Security Gaps: VPN credentials are frequent targets for attackers, and VDI environments can be compromised through browser-based exploits or misconfigurations, as outlined in NIST Special Publication 800-46r2.

The Expanding Attack Surface: Browser-Based Threats

Browsers as the New Frontline

With browsers now the main gateway to government data and services, attackers are shifting their focus. As explored in our analysis of virtual machine browser trends, state-sponsored actors, cybercriminals, and malicious insiders are targeting browser vulnerabilities, session data, and credentials to move laterally across networks and exfiltrate sensitive information, as detailed in CISA's latest advisory and our public sector security analysis.

Real-World Incidents

First American Financial Corp Data Breach (2019)

A business logic flaw in First American's EaglePro application exposed 885 million sensitive records, including bank statements, Social Security numbers, and mortgage documents. The vulnerability, known as Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR), allowed unauthorized access to sequential document URLs without authentication. The breach was not caused by external hackers but by failures in access controls and risk assessments. The New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) imposed a $1 million penalty and required remedial cybersecurity measures (UpGuard's analysis of major data breaches).

Lesson: Robust access controls and regular security assessments are essential for protecting sensitive data.

Equifax Breach (2017)

Attackers exploited CVE-2017-5638, an unpatched vulnerability in Apache Struts, to infiltrate Equifax's systems for 76 days. The flaw in the Jakarta Multipart parser allowed remote code execution via malicious HTTP headers, enabling privilege escalation and exfiltration of data for 147 million consumers. Weak encryption, expired SSL certificates, and poor browser session management delayed detection (Infosec Institute's breach analysis).

Lesson: Timely patching and robust session management are critical for preventing extended breaches.

2025 Surge in Malware and Phishing

Financial institutions faced AI-powered threats in 2025, including:

• Deepfake fraud: Synthetic media impersonations caused $200 million in losses in Q1 2025 (Variety's report on deepfake fraud).
• Tax-themed phishing: Attackers deployed BruteRatel C4 via IRS-themed emails, compromising banking credentials (Microsoft's security blog).
• Ransomware: 65% of financial firms reported incidents, with average remediation costs of $7.4 million (BigID's security concerns report).

Insider Threats and Rapid Data Exfiltration (2025)

The 2025 Unit 42 Global Incident Response Report revealed that 44% of financial sector attacks involved web browsers, with data exfiltrated three times faster than in 2023. In 19% of cases, attackers stole data within one hour of initial compromise. North Korean state-sponsored actors exploited browser vulnerabilities to siphon financial data (Nextgov's coverage of state-sponsored attacks).

Lesson: Browser security and rapid detection capabilities are essential for preventing data exfiltration.

Why VPNs, VDI, and Patchwork Browser Controls Fall Short

Operational Inefficiency

• Resource Burden: Security teams spend countless hours managing VPNs, VDI, and browser add-ons, diverting attention from proactive security measures.
• High Costs: Licensing, infrastructure, and support for legacy remote access tools are expensive and unsustainable—especially as budgets tighten.
• User Friction: Staff often face slow, cumbersome workflows, leading to workarounds that further weaken security.

Security Gaps

• VPNs and VDI Are Not Browser-Aware: These solutions protect the network perimeter but do not address threats originating within the browser—such as credential theft, session hijacking, or malicious OAuth authorizations.
• Browser Extension Security: Unmanaged or risky browser extensions can exfiltrate sensitive data or introduce malware, even in virtual environments.
• Third-Party and Supply Chain Risks: Contractors and external partners often access government systems from unmanaged devices, increasing the risk of browser-based compromise.
• Lack of Centralized Visibility: IT teams struggle to monitor browser activity and enforce consistent policies across remote and third-party users.

The Case for an Enterprise Browser in Government

What Makes Enterprise Browsers Different?

An enterprise browser like Oasis by Kahana is purpose-built for secure, productive remote access in the public sector. Unlike consumer browsers or legacy solutions, it offers:

• Zero-Trust Security Architecture: Every session is continuously authenticated and authorized, with least-privilege access enforced by default.
• Granular Access Controls: Only authorized users and devices can reach sensitive systems, dramatically reducing the risk of unauthorized access or lateral movement.
• Browser Extension Security: Administrators can centrally allow or block extensions, preventing the installation of unapproved or risky add-ons.
• Enterprise Browser Management: IT teams can deploy, update, and manage Oasis from a single dashboard, ensuring consistent policy enforcement and compliance.
• Real-Time Threat Detection: Built-in intelligence blocks phishing, malware, and suspicious downloads before they can impact operations.
• Workforce Enablement: Secure, seamless access for employees, contractors, and third parties—without the friction of VPNs or VDI.
• Automated Compliance and Audit: Oasis aligns with government regulations, automates audit logging, and provides detailed reporting for regulatory requirements.

Real-World Impact: How Oasis Transforms Public Sector Security

• Ransomware and Malware: Oasis's strict content policies and real-time monitoring block malicious downloads and phishing links, the primary vectors for ransomware in government.
• Credential Theft and Lateral Movement: Oasis prevents attackers from harvesting browser session data and credentials, even if they gain initial access through VPN or VDI.
• Third-Party Collaboration: Contextual access controls ensure vendors and partners only access what they need, minimizing the risk of excessive privileges and supply chain attacks.
• Data Loss Prevention: Centralized controls prevent sensitive information from being copied, pasted, or downloaded to unauthorized locations.
• Regulatory Compliance: Automated audit logging and reporting help agencies meet federal, state, and local standards, avoiding costly penalties.

Enterprise Browser Use Cases in Government

• Remote Workforce Enablement: Empower employees to work securely from any device or location, without the cost and complexity of VDI.
• Secure Third-Party Access: Grant contractors and partners browser-based access to specific resources, with granular controls and real-time monitoring.
• Browser for Enterprise Productivity: Leverage AI-powered tab grouping, project-based organization, and distraction-free focus modes to boost productivity.
• Deciding on Enterprise Browser: Evaluate Oasis as a strategic investment to replace legacy VPNs and piecemeal browser security with a unified, future-ready solution.

The Future of Browser Security in the Public Sector

As browser-native ransomware, supply chain attacks, and identity threats become more sophisticated, the need for a secure enterprise browser like Oasis will only grow. The public sector's unique combination of strict regulations, sensitive data, and a distributed workforce makes it especially vulnerable to browser-based threats. By adopting a secure web browser with zero-trust architecture, granular policy controls, and real-time threat intelligence, agencies can protect their operations, data, and public trust—while saving on operational costs.

Conclusion

The government and public sector stand at a crossroads: continue investing in costly, complex legacy solutions like VPNs and virtual desktops, or embrace a new approach with a secure enterprise browser designed for the realities of today's threat landscape. Real-world incidents—from state-sponsored attacks to ransomware outbreaks—demonstrate the urgent need for a modern, unified solution.

Kahana's Oasis Enterprise Browser rises to this challenge, providing government organizations with zero-trust security, granular permissions, advanced threat detection, and seamless user experience. For agencies looking to protect sensitive data, enable a productive remote workforce, and control operational costs, the answer is clear: invest in an enterprise browser built for the public sector's next era.