Google Boosts Enterprise App Security

Google is introducing new security features for enterprise users of its G Suite productivity apps, reports said Tuesday (Jan. 31).

Administrators using these solutions now have greater control over the data stored on Google’s platform. Reports said the updates include the ability for admins to require their own users to use security keys to access data on the apps, while those managers can also control who gets those tokens, via the Security Key service. This, Google said, helps employees be protected from phishing attacks, one of the most common cybersecurity threats of a business.

A two-year study on the use of security keys by Google employees, released last month, found that the technology is better than two-factor verification solutions, like smartphones, at preventing hacks.

Google is also expanding its data loss prevention (DLP) service, which had previously only been extended to Gmail. Administrators can enact the DLP solution for Google Drive, which prevents employees from sharing sensitive corporate data beyond the company.

Additionally, Google has introduced new features for email security, allowing businesses to implement their own encryption certificates, while enabling companies to also store emails outside of Gmail and Google Vault by integrating with third-party services.

Reports noted that the updates appear to be an effort on Google’s part to prevent businesses from using other cloud-based app services. The G Suite solutions are the result of Google’s rebranding of its enterprise-facing units last October. At the time, Google announced a partnership with enterprise services company Accenture to help corporate clients understand G Suite’s offerings, develop industry-specific apps and support cloud adoption.