Web application isolation (WAI) separates different web apps from each other, even on the same server, confining any security breach to a single web app. This technique is designed to contain any security breaches, such as SQL injection or cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, to a single web application, so that other applications are not impacted.
WAI can help to reduce the risk of security threats and data breaches by limiting the ability of malicious code to access sensitive information and interact with other applications and systems. By isolating the web application, you can improve the security of your systems and protect your customers’ data.
Web application isolation is typically achieved through the use of virtualisation technologies, such as containers or virtual machines.
- In a containerized environment, each web application runs in its own container, which acts as a lightweight virtual machine. This isolation ensures that any security breaches are contained within the container, and that other containers are not impacted.
- In a virtual machine environment, each web application runs on its own virtual machine, which is isolated from other virtual machines. This provides a high level of isolation and makes it difficult for an attacker to compromise multiple web applications at once.
How does web application Isolation (WAI) work?
Web application isolation (WAI) works by separating the execution of a web application from the underlying operating system and other applications. This isolation can be achieved through various methods, including:
Virtualisation
WAI can be implemented using virtualization technologies, such as virtual machines (VMs) or containers, to create a secure and isolated environment for the web application. The web application runs in its own isolated environment, with limited access to the underlying system resources, reducing the risk of security threats and data breaches.
Application Sandboxing
This technique involves creating a secure sandbox environment for the web application, limiting its access to the underlying system resources and restricting its ability to interact with other applications and data. This can help to prevent malicious code from executing and accessing sensitive information.
Remote Browser Isolation
This method involves executing the web application in a remote browser instance, which is isolated from the user’s device and local network. All user interactions with the web application are handled in the remote browser instance, reducing the risk of malware infections and data breaches.
Micro-Virtualisation
This approach involves executing individual web application components in isolated environments, providing a high level of security and granular control over the web application.
How is web application isolation done in a zero trust environment?
In a zero trust environment, web application isolation can be achieved through a combination of security technologies and processes that work together to provide comprehensive security for your systems.
In a zero trust environment, web application isolation is a critical component of a comprehensive security strategy. By implementing these security technologies and processes, you can protect your systems and data, improve your security posture, and meet regulatory requirements.
Remote Browser Isolation and Application Sandboxing, as described above, also form part of the zero trust toolkit. There are three more ways that web application isolation can be implemented in a zero trust environment:
Network Segmentation
This involves dividing your network into smaller, isolated segments, each with its own set of security controls. This allows you to restrict access to sensitive systems and data, reducing the risk of security threats and data breaches.
Micro-segmentation
This involves isolating individual applications and components within your network, providing granular control over the flow of data and interactions between systems. This can help to prevent malware infections and data breaches by limiting the spread of malicious code and restricting access to sensitive information.
Multi-Factor Authentication
This involves requiring multiple forms of authentication, such as a password and a security token, to access sensitive systems and data. This can help to prevent unauthorized access and reduce the risk of data breaches.
The benefits of web application isolation
- Improved security: By isolating web applications, it becomes more difficult for an attacker to compromise multiple applications at once. This reduces the attack surface and reduces the risk of a data breach.
- Reduced downtime: If one web application is compromised, it will not affect the availability of other applications. This means that the organization can minimize downtime and continue to operate even if one of its web applications is under attack.
- Increased scalability: Isolating web applications makes it easier to scale each application independently, as required. This allows organizations to scale their infrastructure according to their specific needs, rather than being limited by the security of a shared environment.
