Securing Manufacturing: How Enterprise Browsers like Kahana Oasis Combat Browser-Based Threats

The manufacturing industry is in the midst of a digital transformation, with cloud-based workflows, smart factories, and interconnected supply chains driving unprecedented productivity. However, this evolution comes with a sharp increase in cyber risk—especially from browser-based threats. As the browser becomes the primary interface for accessing SaaS platforms, operational dashboards, and sensitive data, attackers are shifting their tactics, making the choice of a secure web browser more critical than ever for manufacturers.

The Manufacturing Threat Landscape: Real-World Incidents

Recent years have seen manufacturing emerge as a top target for cybercriminals. In March 2025 alone, the sector suffered 91 ransomware incidents globally, with the United States being the most targeted (source). Attackers are leveraging new strategies, including automated brute-force attacks on VPNs, exploitation of IoT devices, and the deployment of ransomware-as-a-service models. Groups like Black Basta and Moonstone Sleet have demonstrated the ability to automate attacks and bypass traditional security measures, while new entrants such as Arkana and CrazyHunter are complicating the threat landscape further.

These attacks are not just theoretical. The 2025 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) found that malware was present in 66% of manufacturing breaches, with ransomware accounting for nearly half (47%) of those incidents (Verizon DBIR 2025). Hacking via stolen credentials (34%), exploiting vulnerabilities (23%), and phishing (19%) are also common attack vectors. The average cost of a data breach in manufacturing reached $4.47 million in 2022, with operational downtime, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties adding to the toll.

One of the most alarming trends is the rise of browser-native ransomware. Unlike traditional ransomware, which typically requires a malicious file to be downloaded, browser-native ransomware exploits browser vulnerabilities or identity access to cloud resources, often bypassing endpoint security tools entirely (browser-native ransomware risks). For example, attackers may trick employees into authorizing malicious browser extensions or OAuth apps, which then systematically reset passwords, exfiltrate data from platforms like Google Drive or OneDrive, and lock users out of critical SaaS applications. Because browsers are now the gateway to most enterprise data, a single compromised session can expose entire organizations and their supply chains.

Why Traditional Security Falls Short

Manufacturers often rely on standard browsers like Chrome, deploying them via tools such as the Google Chrome Enterprise Installer, MSI, or web download. While these tools help with centralized deployment and policy enforcement, they do not address the unique risks posed by browser-native threats. Traditional endpoint security solutions are designed to detect file-based malware, but they struggle to identify or block attacks that occur entirely within the browser—such as credential theft, session hijacking, or malicious OAuth authorizations.

The manufacturing sector's reliance on legacy operational technology (OT) systems, minimal downtime tolerance, and interconnected IT-OT environments further complicate matters (ReliaQuest Threat Report). Attackers exploit these dependencies, using techniques like living-off-the-land binaries (LOLBins) and remote-access trojans (RATs) to move laterally from IT to OT networks, disrupt production, and steal intellectual property. Insider threats are also on the rise, with malicious or careless employees able to exfiltrate sensitive data or introduce malware through browser-based interfaces (ProcessUnity: Inside the Breach).

How Kahana's Oasis Enterprise Browser Addresses Manufacturing Security

Kahana's Oasis Enterprise Browser is purpose-built to tackle these modern challenges, providing a secure web browser environment that goes far beyond the capabilities of consumer browsers or basic enterprise deployments of Chrome. You can learn more about the features and benefits of Oasis in our Enterprise Browser product page.

• Zero Trust Security Architecture: Oasis implements a zero-trust model, requiring continuous identity verification and least-privilege access for every session. This means that even if an attacker gains access to a device or credentials, they cannot move laterally or escalate privileges without passing real-time security checks. Contextual access controls ensure that only authorized users and devices can reach sensitive manufacturing systems, dramatically reducing the risk of unauthorized access through its zero-trust security approach.
• Granular Permission and Content Security Policies: Unlike standard browsers, Oasis enforces strict content security policies (CSPs), limiting resource loading to trusted sources and blocking unauthorized scripts, frames, or form submissions. This protects against cross-site scripting (XSS), clickjacking, and other browser-based exploits that are commonly used in ransomware and phishing attacks, thanks to the Oasis Enterprise Browser platform.
• Advanced Certificate and Mixed Content Management: Oasis provides robust SSL/TLS certificate validation, ensuring that all connections are encrypted and that users are alerted to potential man-in-the-middle attacks. Automatic HTTPS enforcement and mixed content blocking prevent attackers from injecting malicious content into otherwise secure sessions—a crucial feature when accessing cloud-based manufacturing dashboards or IoT device interfaces.
• Comprehensive Permission Management: With Oasis, administrators can apply a default-deny policy to sensitive browser features such as camera, microphone, clipboard, and downloads. Permissions are managed on a per-origin basis, with clear visual indicators and persistent storage, ensuring that users cannot inadvertently grant access to malicious extensions or web apps, all managed through the Oasis Enterprise Browser.
• Real-Time Threat Detection and Content Filtering: Oasis includes built-in threat intelligence and content filtering, blocking access to known phishing sites, malicious downloads, and suspicious URLs in real time. Smart filtering and behavioral analysis help identify and stop browser-native ransomware before it can compromise user identities or cloud resources, leveraging secure browsing technology.
• Centralized Management and Audit Capabilities: IT teams can deploy, update, and manage Oasis across the enterprise using familiar tools and workflows, similar to the Chrome web download, Google Chrome Enterprise Installer, and MSI processes. Centralized policy controls, audit logging, and compliance reporting provide complete visibility into browser activity, making it easier to detect insider threats, enforce regulatory requirements, and respond to incidents, all supported by the Oasis Buyer Guide.
• Seamless User Experience and Productivity: Oasis is built on the Chromium engine, ensuring compatibility with modern web applications and a familiar interface for users transitioning from Chrome or Edge. Features like AI-powered tab grouping, project-based organization, and distraction-free focus modes help manufacturing teams stay productive without sacrificing security.

Real-World Impact: Preventing and Mitigating Attacks

Consider a scenario where a manufacturing employee receives a phishing email that leads to a fake productivity tool requesting OAuth access to their Google Workspace. In a standard browser, the employee might inadvertently grant access, allowing the attacker to reset passwords, exfiltrate files, and lock out entire departments from critical SaaS applications. With Oasis, however, granular permission controls and real-time threat detection would flag the suspicious OAuth request, block unauthorized access, and alert IT administrators before any damage occurs.

In another case, attackers might exploit a vulnerability in a browser-based HMI (human-machine interface) to disrupt production lines or steal sensitive data. Oasis's strict CSP enforcement, process isolation, and automatic HTTPS upgrades would prevent malicious scripts from executing, while centralized monitoring would enable rapid incident response.

During the 2025 surge in ransomware attacks, many manufacturers fell victim to exploits that bypassed endpoint security by targeting browsers directly (Cyfirma Ransomware Report). Organizations using Oasis benefited from reduced attack surfaces, proactive threat blocking, and the ability to quickly update security policies across all endpoints—minimizing downtime and financial loss.

The Future of Browser Security in Manufacturing

As browser-native ransomware and identity attacks become more sophisticated, the need for enterprise browsers like Oasis will only grow. The manufacturing sector's unique combination of legacy systems, minimal downtime tolerance, and interconnected supply chains makes it especially vulnerable to browser-based threats (ProcessUnity: Inside the Breach, ReliaQuest Threat Report). By adopting a secure web browser with zero-trust architecture, granular policy controls, and real-time threat intelligence, manufacturers can protect their operations, intellectual property, and reputation.

Kahana's Oasis Browser offers a compelling solution, combining enterprise-grade security with productivity-enhancing features and seamless deployment options. Whether you're managing devices via Chrome web download, Google Chrome Enterprise Installer, or MSI, Oasis integrates smoothly into existing IT workflows while delivering the advanced protections needed to defend against today's most pressing cyber threats.

Conclusion

The manufacturing industry stands at a crossroads: embrace the productivity and agility of cloud-based workflows, or risk falling behind in a rapidly evolving market. But with this digital transformation comes a new wave of browser-based threats that traditional security tools cannot address. Real-world incidents—from high-profile ransomware attacks to sophisticated phishing campaigns—demonstrate the urgent need for a secure web browser built for the modern enterprise.

Kahana's Oasis Enterprise Browser rises to this challenge, providing manufacturers with the tools they need to defend against browser-native ransomware, phishing, insider threats, and more. With zero-trust security, granular permissions, advanced threat detection, and seamless user experience, Oasis transforms the browser from a weak link into a cornerstone of enterprise security. For manufacturing organizations looking to protect their digital future, the choice is clear: secure your workflows, safeguard your data, and empower your teams with an enterprise browser designed for the realities of today's threat landscape.