Google Workspace (specifically Chrome Enterprise Core, which is often included or available for free with Google Workspace editions) provides built-in capabilities to manage Chrome browsers across an organization. By enrolling Chrome browsers in your domain, you can apply policies centrally from the Google Admin console, controlling security settings, extensions, updates, and more. This is a first-party, cloud-based solution that doesn't require additional software or licensing costs beyond your existing Google Workspace subscription, making it the "least expensive solution." Here's why the other options are less suitable for managing Chrome browsers with the least expense:
* A. Use a third-party software deployment solution to manage the Chrome browser. While possible, this would incur additional costs for the third-party software, its licensing, and potentially its maintenance. Google Workspace offers native browser management, so a third-party solution is not the
"least expensive."
* B. Remotely wipe all employee devices to ensure that they are using the latest Chrome browser version. Remotely wiping devices is a drastic and disruptive measure, typically used for lost/stolen devices or offboarding. It's not a standard or appropriate method for managing browser versions or applying configuration settings. It would also be highly expensive in terms of lost productivity and IT effort.
* D. Disable all extensions on employee Chrome browsers to prevent any potential security risks.
While disabling extensions can mitigate some risks, it's an overly broad and potentially disruptive action that could hinder employee productivity if legitimate and necessary extensions are disabled.
More importantly, it's just one potential policy you might apply, not the method for managing the browsers centrally and cost-effectively. Chrome browser policies allow for granular control, including allowing/blocking specific extensions.
References from Google Workspace Administrator:
* Set Chrome policies for users or browsers: This is the key administrative function that allows you to manage Chrome browsers. It describes how to apply policies to Chrome browsers enrolled in your organization's domain.
Reference: Chrome Enterprise and Education Help: Set Chrome policies for users or browsers Chrome Enterprise Core: This outlines the free cloud-based management features available for Chrome browsers, which are often integrated with Google Workspace. It explicitly states that "cloud-based management and reporting for $0" are available with Chrome Enterprise Core.
Reference: Chrome Enterprise website: Chrome Enterprise - The Trusted Enterprise Browser for your Business (Look for sections describing Chrome Enterprise Core capabilities and pricing).
Maximizing Google Chrome Management in Google Workspace: This article further emphasizes that "the basic policies for Google Chrome management are available for free with Google Workspace." Reference: itGenius blog: Maximizing Google Chrome Management in Google Workspace By leveraging the built-in Chrome browser management capabilities within the Google Workspace Admin console, organizations can centrally control Chrome settings and security with no additional software cost, fitting the "least expensive solution" requirement.