New solution brings browser‑centric security, Shadow AI governance and simplified SASE‑grade protection without the heavy infrastructure overhead
Sophos has announced the launch of Sophos Workspace Protection, a major portfolio expansion designed to secure the future of hybrid work and bring governance to rapidly emerging AI tools in the enterprise. Announced on 22 January 2026, the solution introduces a browser‑centric model for protecting users, applications, and data — without the heavy cost or complexity associated with traditional SASE and SSE deployments.
Built around the new Sophos Protected Browser, powered by Island’s enterprise browser technology, Workspace Protection delivers security directly to where modern work occurs. With 85% of the workday now spent inside a browser, Sophos’ approach provides visibility and control over application use, local data handling, and AI interactions — all integrated natively into the Sophos Central platform.
“We are helping organizations govern AI use, protect critical data and secure hybrid workforces with a solution that is easier to deploy and manage.” — Joe Levy, CEO, Sophos
Joe Levy, CEO of Sophos, said the new offering reflects a changing workplace reality. “Security teams are increasingly impacted by complexity as hybrid work, SaaS adoption and AI tools expand the workspace. By integrating Island’s browser technology with Sophos’ security capabilities, we help organizations govern AI use and secure hybrid workers without adding complexity.”
Unlike traditional SASE models that backhaul traffic through centralized gateways, Sophos Workspace Protection secures the workspace itself, enforcing policy at the point of activity. This reduces latency, cuts operational overhead and ensures protections follow users wherever they work — in the office, remotely or on unmanaged devices.
“Hybrid work shouldn’t mean tradeoffs between security and productivity Island and Sophos make AI‑safe work possible directly in the browser.” — Mike Fey, Co‑founder & CEO, Island
The solution includes four integrated components:
- Sophos Protected Browser with built‑in ZTNA and application controls
- Sophos ZTNA for posture‑based access to private apps
- Sophos DNS Protection to block malicious domains and phishing
- Email Monitoring System to detect unwanted or malicious messages in Google Workspace and Microsoft 365
As organizations grapple with Shadow IT and the explosion of Shadow AI, Workspace Protection gives IT and security teams unified visibility into which AI tools employees are using, what data is being shared and where risks emerge.
Mike Fey, CEO of Island, said the integration makes AI‑safe and secure work seamless. “Organizations can now embrace AI while ensuring data stays protected, all through the browser people already use.”
Sophos Workspace Protection will be available globally from February 2026.