Metomic, a security firm, recently published a report shedding light on the security implications for businesses utilizing Google Drive. The comprehensive study analyzed around 6.5 million Google Drive files, uncovering alarming findings. Notably, 40% of the information stored on the platform was identified as sensitive, posing a significant risk of data breaches and cyber-attacks to organizations.

Furthermore, the study highlighted that approximately 34% of these files were shared with external contacts. Metomic’s report also emphasized a concerning statistic: 350,000 documents were publicly shared, granting access to anyone with the link. This exposed a wide array of sensitive information, including employee contracts and spreadsheets containing passwords.

Of particular concern were the 18,000 files flagged as critical level. These documents either contained highly sensitive data or lacked secure file permissions. The absence of robust security measures could potentially compromise the confidentiality and integrity of crucial information. The report serves as a stark reminder of the need for organizations to vigilantly manage their Google Drive files, implementing robust security protocols to safeguard against potential threats and unauthorized access.

Cloud Data

Businesses can choose to use cloud computing services to store, manage, and process data. Cloud data is widely used because of its cost efficiency, accessibility, and agility. Other benefits include easily backed up data and disaster recovery, which together with the automatic updates and maintenance result in robust storage for sensitive data. While using a cloud database, it’s crucial to prohibit employees from sharing online data with unauthorized users, to prevent security issues that users of Google Drive faced. Other than security concerns and data privacy, cloud data poses drawbacks such as dependency on internet connection and limited customization.

How Can Businesses Stay Safe?

The alarming findings underscore the critical need for businesses to adopt proactive measures in safeguarding their data stored on cloud platforms. Achieving robust security for cloud data involves a systematic approach, starting with a thorough examination of the risks identified in Google’s automatically generated data protection reports. These reports provide valuable insights into potential vulnerabilities, allowing organizations to enhance their data protection methods.

For a comprehensive and streamlined solution in securing cloud data, leveraging Mobile Device Management (MDM) tools is a highly effective strategy. An exemplary MDM solution, such as Trio, goes beyond conventional measures by bolstering firewall security and extending protection to mobile devices.

Another way that MDM helps is with device management and compliance enforcement. These solutions regulate access to cloud resources, ensuring that only compliant and secure devices can connect. MDM also addresses data security through encryption, both at rest and during transmission, safeguarding against unauthorized access. Additionally, features like remote wipe and lock offer a fail-safe in case of device loss or theft, preventing potential data breaches. MDM’s integration with identity management systems controls user access, while containerization segregates business and personal data, fortifying cloud data security even on compromised devices. These solutions extend their influence to application security, content collaboration, threat detection, and comprehensive auditing, offering a multi-layered defense against evolving cyber threats.

By seamlessly integrating with broader security ecosystems, MDM solutions provide organizations with a unified strategy. This strategy encompasses not only mobile devices but also the entire cloud infrastructure. This integration ensures a cohesive approach to security, allowing for detailed monitoring, threat detection, and reporting. In summary, MDM solutions offer a holistic and proactive defense, addressing the intricate landscape of cloud data security and promoting resilience against emerging threats, unauthorized access, and potential data vulnerabilities in today’s interconnected business environments.