The Security Services Edge (SSE) platform has become the go-to architecture for protecting hybrid work and SaaS access. They promise centralized enforcement, simplified connectivity, and consistent policy control across users and devices.
But there’s a problem. They don’t stop anywhere in the browser where the most sensitive user activity actually occurs, i.e.
This is not a small omission. That is a structural limitation. And it leaves an organization exposed in one place they can’t afford to do so: the final miles of user interaction.
New Reports Reevaluated for SSE: Analyzing gaps in SSE implementations Technical gap analysis of last mile protection reveals where the current architecture is lacking and why many organizations are reevaluating how they protect user interaction within browsers. The findings point to the fundamental visibility challenges at the time of user actions.
SSE provides value to what they are designed to do: strengthen network-level policies and securely route traffic between endpoints and cloud services. However, it was never constructed to observe or control what happens within the browser tab where actual risk exists today.
And that’s exactly where attackers, insiders and data leaks thrive.
Architecturally blinds the user’s behavior
SSE solutions rely on upstream enforcement points (cloud-based proxy or point of existence (POP)) to inspect and route traffic. This is useful for coarse-grain access control and web filtering. However, when a user is granted access to the application, SSES loses visibility.
They cannot be seen:
The identity that users sign in to (personal or corporate) is signed to what they are entering at the Genai prompt whether the file upload is a sensitive IP or a harmless PDF if the browser extension is quietly extended.
In short, once the session is permitted, enforcement ends.
This is a huge gap in the world where work is done on SaaS tabs, Genai tools, and unmanaged endpoints.
Use Case SSE cannot be handled independently
Genai Data Leakage: SSES can block domains like chat.openai.com, but most organizations don’t want to block Genai completely. Once accessed, SSE has no way of checking whether to paste its own source code into ChatGPT. This is a recipe for undetected data leaks. Misuse of Shadow Saas and Identity: Users routinely log in to concepts with personal identity, such as Slack, Google Drive, and other SaaS tools, especially on BYOD or hybrid devices. Because SSE cannot distinguish based on identity, personal logins using sensitive data are not monitored or controlled. Browser Extension Risk: Extensions often require full access to the page, clipboard control, or credential storage. SSE blinds all of that. If a malicious extension is active, it can bypass all upstream controls and quietly capture sensitive data. File Movement and Upload: Even if you drag a file into Dropbox or download it from a corporate app to an unmanaged device, the SSE solution cannot force control when content hits the browser. Browser tab context – whether logged in, active accounts, or devices are managed is out of scope.
Filling the gap: Browser and native security
To secure the final miles, organizations are turning their eyes to browsers and native security platforms. It’s not a solution that works inside the browser itself, and not around it.
This includes Enterprise Browser and Enterprise Browser extensions.
Visibility browser extensions for copy/paste, upload, download, and text input account-based policy enforcement (for example, allow corporate Gmail and allow personal blocking) Monitoring and control of real-time risky user activity
Critical, these controls can work if the device is not managed or if the user is remote. Ideal for hybrid, BYOD and distributed environments.
Do not increase or replace
This is not a call to rip and replace SSE. SSE continues to be an important part of the modern security stack. But it needs help – especially in the user interaction layer.
Browser and native security do not conflict with SSE. That complements that. Together, it provides full spectrum visibility and control, from network-level policies to user-level enforcement.
Conclusion: Rethink the edge before it breaks
The browser has become an actual endpoint. Where Genai tools are used, where sensitive data is processed and tomorrow’s threats appear.
Here’s why organizations need to rethink where the security stack starts and ends:
Download the full report and find out the gaps in SSE architecture today and how browser native security closes them.
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