Google Workspace is a cloud-based email service that offers robust security practices to deal with changes in the threat landscape. However, those using Gmail still witness storms of spam messages, email phishing attacks, and other security issues. In this article, we will explore the risks associated with Google Workspace email security, essential security features and setup, top email security solutions, and how to evaluate them.
Understanding Google Workspace Email Security Risks
Hackers continue to exploit the email message channel because this attack surface continues to be very profitable for scammers, phishers, and cybercriminals. Data breaches have varying effects across industries, with healthcare being the most affected sector, with losses of $10.93 million in 2023. Email communications become targeted by cyber-criminals who use malware and social engineering tactics to deceive users and gain access to sensitive information. Email phishing attacks, malware attacks, and credential theft are some of the top attack vectors facing Google Workspace users.
Essential Security Features and Setup
Google Workspace incorporates security features such as spam settings and phishing protection. The Enterprise package unlocks several security tools and additional advanced email security measures like enhanced security and management controls, eDiscovery, retention, Vault, and advanced endpoint management. To set up basic and enterprise email for Google Workspace, start by logging into the admin console using your credentials. Google Workspace admins can access several features within the security menu based on their licensing levels. User access, establishing email encryption, defining DLP rules, enabling automation for incident response, and pushing down policies to the various Gmail Workspace accounts all become managed through this security menu.
Top Email Security Solutions for Google Workspace
There are several top email security solutions available for Google Workspace, including Trustifi, a global leader in cloud-based advanced-AI email security. Trustifi offers several protection layers to help augment Google Workspace at a lower cost point. Other solutions include Google’s Advanced Protection Program, which safeguards users with high visibility and sensitive information from targeted online attacks. Gmail also uses AI-enhanced spam-filtering capabilities to protect users from spam, phishing, and malware.
Evaluating Email Security Solutions
When evaluating email security solutions for Google Workspace, consider the following factors:
- Cost: What is the total cost of ownership, including license fees, cloud storage, and training expenses for security operations engineers?
- Consolidation: Can the solution consolidate multiple security features into a single platform?
- Ease of use: How easy is it for users to adopt and use the solution?
- Effectiveness: How effective is the solution in detecting and blocking advanced threats like malicious emails, including spear phishing, and other sophisticated phishing tactics?
- Integration: How well does the solution integrate with Google Workspace and other third-party providers?
By considering these factors, organizations can make an informed decision when evaluating email security solutions for Google Workspace.
FAQ
What Are The Phishing Attacks That Threaten Your Google Workspace Account?
Google Workspace (formerly G-Suite) is a comprehensive suite of tools for managing your work environment. Included in the suite is Gmail, Calendar, Meet, Docs, Drive, Slides, and many others. There are 14 applications in total. The solution is designed to manage your entire work needs. This utility also makes it a worthwhile target for attackers.
If an attacker can access one of these applications, they may be able to continue their attack laterally.
For instance, if your Google Account or Gmail account is jeopardised, it may be used as part of a business email compromise (BEC) attack. Your authentic email address will be used to convince other users that the attackers requests are valid. They may send emails to your contacts that install malware or attempt to exploit money from them.
Alternatively, attackers may harvest data from your Sheets, Docs, Slides, and Forms applications. Depending on the type of data that was stolen, attackers could have valuable information on your customers, business plan, or finances. In some cases, your organization could be liable for the data leak. If this data is not copied, it could be edited or deleted, preventing your organization from operating as it should.
Does Google Offer Native Security Features for Gmail Users?
Yes. There are several features that Google have included to give you greater control, and peace of mind, over your Google Workspace accounts. These features include:
- Administrator has configuration control to ensure that authentication, asset protection, and operational expectations are met
- Conforms to ISO/IEC 27001, 27017, 27018, SOC 2/3, FedRAMP, PCI DSS
- You, not Google, owns your data
- At-rest and in-transit data encryption
- Enhanced security with the use of FIDO2 security keys to prevent account takeovers and phishing
For more information on Google’s native security features, read their white paper here.