AWS Introduces WorkLink to Simplify Secure Intranet Access on Mobile
Amazon Web Services launches WorkLink, a managed service that replaces clunky VPNs with one-click access to internal websites for a flat monthly fee. The service renders intranet pages as secure vector graphics to keep corporate data off employee devices.
Amazon Web Services unveils Amazon WorkLink, a fully managed service that aims to eliminate the frustration of using traditional VPNs and mobile device management tools for accessing internal websites. For a flat rate of five dollars per user per month, IT administrators grant employees one-click access to internal web apps without forcing them to use clunky, proprietary browsers on their mobile devices.
The service works by routing internal website requests through a secure AWS container, which converts the site into an interactive vector graphic before sending it to the employee's phone. Because no actual company data is stored or cached on the mobile device, IT departments avoid the need for remote wiping procedures if a device is lost or stolen. WorkLink connects to on-premise servers through an AWS Virtual Private Cloud or AWS Direct Connect and integrates seamlessly with standard SAML 2.0 identity providers like Okta.
WorkLink operates on both Android and iOS platforms, though the initial release only supports the iOS app and the Safari browser with Chrome support arriving in the coming weeks. The service currently launches in North America and Europe, with plans to expand to additional regions later this year as AWS positions itself ahead of cloud rivals in the enterprise mobility space.