Google Workspace is undoubtedly one of the most secure tools available online today as an application for productivity, collaboration, document storage, and cloud performance. In reality, Google actively safeguards its users, providing security guidelines for contemporary mid-sized firms. The Google ecosystem is constantly changing and getting better. The Google Workspace ecosystem is constantly gaining new tools and solutions that are intended to make the user experience more secure and private. The best results from Google Workspace come from diligent use and using technologies that can improve your security and privacy.
Why do we use Google Workspace Security?
Google provides many levels of protection.
In order to ensure that your company complies with the standards set by your sector, Google offers the possibility to have layer upon layer of protection from every direction you can imagine. Additionally, it allows you total control over your domain settings and personal data. The domain administrator is responsible for determining how many levels of the “security onion” is necessary for your company.
The most crucial Google Workspace security features that every company should use.
Access and identification
- MFA, or multiple-factor authentication
MFA helps reduce the hazards brought on by your workers’ poor password security. Anyone with the correct password has the same level of access as the others in your organization. The crucial step in this process is to set up two-factor authentication, which verifies users using both a password and an extra layer.
- SSO, or single sign-on
Using Google single sign-on, employees can work on any device, nearly anywhere. All internal apps are accessible with a single click using the same corporate login information. Decreasing the number of passwords your staff must create improves security while saving time.
- Context-sensitive access
You can specify what context every user must fulfill in order to access programs by using context-aware access. On the basis of identification, device security status, IP address, and location, you can control the policies for business data. Layers can be created in any number, one at a time or all at once.
Asset management
- Endpoint security
With a single console, you can increase device security for Windows, iOS, and Android devices throughout your whole company. With predefined security features and regulations, you can quickly set up devices for new users while also increasing the protection of your company’s data.
- Device Management for Mobile
Endpoint management and context-aware access are combined in mobile device management (MDM), allowing your workers to utilize their own devices, such as smartphones, for work-related tasks on a daily basis. It keeps business data secure and enables your staff to work remotely utilizing their own devices. Without compromising the privacy of your employees, it enables you to have total control over your company’s data.
Operational control
- DLP, or data loss prevention
DLP is a more sophisticated service that offers state-of-the-art methods for locating, identifying, and safeguarding the most sensitive data. Which files may be shared externally can be simply controlled. One individual, a group, or the entire domain may be affected. Additionally, you receive a thorough picture of who is managing sensitive data and how.
- Admin console (management console)
The Google Admin panel will be your closest companion as a corporate administrator. You have the power to handle all of the security rules, policies, and services, as well as standard Google Workspace settings like adding or deleting users, handling invoicing, configuring mobile devices, and more.
Top 5 Risks to Avoid in 2023
The ideal tool for collaboration is Google Workspace. There is no one who is immune to data attacks. Particularly with cloud services, where everything is interconnected, hazards are present. A chain of files that a whole department depends on can be destroyed by one bad connection.
- G Suite accounts are being hacked via phishing
In a word, phishing is a method for stealing your personal information, such as login credentials or credit card numbers. You get a text message, email, or perhaps a telephone call from someone you know or a reliable source. There are specific call-to-actions in this email that are misleading.
Depending on the situation and the kind of action they want you to take, phishers employ a variety of pretexts to get unauthorized access. Those pretenses may seem plausible. Especially we often don’t have the time or attention during a hectic workday to investigate the validity of each email that arrives in our inbox. This approach leads the list among all malevolent tactics due to the human element.
How to prevent it
By using the improved pre-delivery message scanning. It is a built-in feature for Google Workspace administrators that aids in the detection of phishing emails. Although it’s not entirely trustworthy, it could give you a warning or transfer the questionable email to spam.
- Ransomware attack
A form of software known as ransomware prohibits you from viewing your data unless you pay the hacker a “ransom.” It scrambles information into a format that is unreadable and encrypts the files. You require a digital key to unlock it, which you can only acquire after making a payment. And the costs are frequently very high.
Since ransomware is so pervasive, your odds of contracting it are actually higher than your chances of getting the flu. Every 14 seconds, ransomware affects someone—large multinational corporations, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and private people. Organizations in constant desperation to recover access to their data often pay out tens of thousands of dollars.
How to prevent it
Your only hope in this situation is an automatic backup on a reputable cloud storage system and a preliminary dangerous app audit. Unlimited storage is provided via third-party cloud storage, which also backs up your data in case it has been destroyed or encrypted. Thus, even if ransomware attacks your G Suite data, you can quickly restore everything with just a few clicks. Every suspicious app may be blocked to prevent them from accessing your info.
- Insider dangers to the security of Google Workspace
75% of former workers still have access to company information. Even more concerning, 25% of them indicated a desire to sell customer data. Only the bid price makes a difference.
For a Google Workspace organization, what does it mean? It implies that whatever information you provide on the cloud regarding your clients, marketing strategies, and customers might be exposed to your rivals in just two clicks. Years may go by while an employee steals or leaks data without your knowledge. A few leaked documents might occasionally be enough to hurt your company.
How to prevent it
Observe the required security protocols when employees quit your company. They consist of the following:
- The blocking of G Suite services
- Storing employee info in backup
- Collecting all equipment provided to staff
- Reviewing all the installed programs and add-ons
- Malicious Google Add-ons and Third-Party Apps
While third-party applications might be extremely helpful, they can raise fresh G Suite security issues. Your data may be in danger if Google does not create an extension or app. Many bogus applications include malware or have the potential to compromise the security of your Gmail account. Most often, it is made to either destroy or steal your company’s data. Because they are free and seem to provide a lot of functions, you or one of your staff may download them hastily. These applications ask your Google account for a number of permissions in order to operate. They could allow you to send emails on your behalf and alter or delete the info. And that’s where the danger lies: each app to which you provide access in the Google Cloud account raises the stakes in terms of security.
How to prevent it
Spend money on a G Suite cybersecurity solution that examines outside apps. You can view every program and extension with access to your data. A service like this will also demonstrate how trustworthy these applications are. This will make it simple for you to spot hazardous apps and, if required, withdraw their permissions.
- Brute-force attacks
Hackers have a variety of methods for accessing your data, and brute-force attack is only one of them. It is accomplished with the use of a password-cracking program that can decipher your G Suite account password. Attacks using brute force are multiplying exponentially and becoming more advanced daily. Additionally, the more specific they are, the quicker they can determine your password. Sometimes, if the password is straightforward, it may be cracked in under a minute. But what if everyone in the department logs onto their computers using the same password? Hackers may access all the data on the employees’ devices after it has been broken. You may even bid the company’s cloud files farewell if they have their files synchronized with a corporate G Suite’s Google Drive.
How to prevent it
You can stop them by stepping up security: Create lengthy, complicated passwords; restrict the number of login tries; make use of Captcha; and enable two-factor authentication.
gworkspace.in support the growth and security of organizations by offering cutting-edge Google workspace technology solutions that promote seamless collaboration and workplace excellence at affordable pricing. We have a team of professionals that have been personally educated by partners, and we are an official partner for Google Cloud, Microsoft, and AWS. A fantastic renewal ratio of 95% is a noteworthy accomplishment. We have provided services to a large number of clients across various industry sectors.
