The Healthcare Sector's Remote Access Trap: Why VPNs and Virtual Desktops Are Costly—and How a Secure Enterprise Browser Can Transform Security

The healthcare sector is in the midst of a digital revolution. Electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, cloud-based collaboration, and the proliferation of Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices have redefined patient care and operational efficiency. Yet, as hospitals and clinics race to enable remote work and third-party collaboration, many still rely on legacy solutions like VPNs and virtual desktops to secure browser access. This approach not only drives up operational costs but also exposes healthcare organizations to a rising tide of cyber threats.

The Cost and Complexity of Legacy Remote Access

Why Healthcare Relies on VPNs and Virtual Desktops

For years, healthcare organizations have leaned on VPNs and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) to give remote staff, clinicians, and third-party vendors access to internal systems and sensitive patient data. The logic is simple: by routing all traffic through a secure tunnel or virtualized environment, organizations hope to shield operations from cyberattacks and data leaks. However, as we explore in our VDI reduction guide, this approach comes with significant drawbacks.

However, this approach comes at a steep price:

• Licensing and Infrastructure: Running VDI and VPN environments requires significant investment in licenses, cloud infrastructure, and ongoing maintenance.
• IT Overhead: Managing these systems demands constant monitoring, patching, and troubleshooting, stretching already overburdened IT teams.
• User Friction: VPNs and virtual desktops can slow down workflows, frustrate clinicians, and hamper productivity—especially in fast-paced healthcare settings.
• Security Gaps: Despite their intent, VPN credentials are frequent targets for attackers, and VDI environments can be compromised through browser-based exploits or misconfigurations.

The Cybersecurity Risks of Browser-Based Remote Access

A Rapidly Expanding Attack Surface

Remote access is now a frequent entry point for cybercriminals targeting healthcare. With clinicians, administrators, and vendors connecting from a range of locations and devices—including personal laptops and smartphones—the risk of unauthorized access, data leaks, and malware infections has never been higher. This challenge is particularly acute in BYOD environments, where personal devices introduce additional security risks.

• Decentralized Workforces: Hybrid work and BYOD policies mean more devices, more endpoints, and more opportunities for attackers.
• Third-Party Access: The interconnected nature of healthcare means vendors and contractors often need remote access. According to recent reports, third-party breaches are on the rise, amplifying the risk of exposure through interconnected systems, as detailed by NCC Group and reported by Industrial Cyber.
• Manual Policy Enforcement: Many healthcare organizations still rely on browser settings, add-ons, and manual controls to secure remote sessions—a strategy that is both inconsistent and easy for attackers to bypass.

Real-World Incidents: The High Cost of Inadequate Remote Security

The healthcare sector has experienced a staggering increase in data breaches and cyberattacks:

• 2024-2025 Surge in Ransomware: The sector experienced 1,710 security incidents, with 1,542 confirmed data disclosures. Ransomware and phishing attacks have disrupted clinical operations, delayed care, and exposed sensitive PHI, affecting millions of patients, as reported by Rubrik and detailed by Health-ISAC.
• Misconfigured Cloud Storage: In 2025, a major U.S. health insurance provider exposed 4.7 million customer PHI records over three years due to a misconfigured cloud storage bucket—underscoring the risks of poor access controls and lack of browser visibility, as reported by HIPAA Journal.
• Vendor-Driven Breaches: Third-party vendor risks continue to escalate, as highlighted by the Health-ISAC 2025 report, with attackers using vendor credentials or browser-based exploits to infiltrate healthcare networks.
• Phishing and Credential Theft: Phishing remains a persistent threat, with attackers targeting healthcare professionals through browser-based email and collaboration tools, leading to compromised credentials and unauthorized access, as reported by ISACA.

These incidents highlight a critical reality: legacy remote access solutions and manual browser controls are no match for today's sophisticated cyber threats. As we detailed in our analysis of virtual machine browsers, traditional approaches to browser security are increasingly inadequate.

Why VPNs, VDI, and Piecemeal 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 healthcare budgets tighten.
• User Friction: Clinicians and 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.
• 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 Healthcare

What Makes Enterprise Browsers Different?

An enterprise browser like Oasis by Kahana is purpose-built for secure, productive remote access in healthcare. 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. Learn more about our zero trust security approach.
• 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, clinicians, contractors, and third parties—without the friction of VPNs or VDI.

Real-World Impact: How Oasis Transforms Healthcare 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 healthcare.
• 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 healthcare organizations meet HIPAA and other industry standards, avoiding costly penalties.

Enterprise Browser Use Cases in Healthcare

• Remote Workforce Enablement: Empower clinicians and staff to work securely from any device or location, without the cost and complexity of VDI. See how we're helping organizations reduce VDI costs.
• 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 Healthcare

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. Healthcare'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, healthcare organizations can protect their patients, data, and reputation—while saving on operational costs.

Conclusion

The healthcare sector stands 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 ransomware outbreaks to third-party breaches—demonstrate the urgent need for a modern, unified solution.

Kahana's Oasis Enterprise Browser rises to this challenge, providing healthcare organizations with zero-trust security, granular permissions, advanced threat detection, and seamless user experience. For organizations 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 healthcare's next era.