Google Copies Corporate Data to Google's Servers?

Penguinisto writes "According to Silicon.com, some CIOs have been seeing their company data being transferred to Google's servers as part of Google Desktop's functionality." From the article: "Mark Saysell, IT director at Coutts Retail Communications UK, said he is planning a network audit to find rogue installations, which will then be de-installed. New security measures will also be put in place to prevent further downloads. He said: 'Google has definitely over-stepped the mark and in turn is forcing IT departments to take a very draconian approach to machine security and web access.'"

Comments

Indeed. It's easy to enforce such policy.

[CyricZ]

One particularly good way of achieving such a policy is a transition to an OpenBSD or Solaris-based network of desktops.

While such systems of course aren't suitable for all users, they do provide an environment for getting basic work done (eg. email, word processing, spreadsheets, etc.) that is far less vulnerable to the problems that plague many Windows installations.

You don't have to worry about Google Desktop when using OpenBSD or Solaris. As of this time, it's just plain a non-issue.

Best of all, you don't have to harp on your employees do not do this, or not do that. They just won't be able to do such things, period.

BlackBerry maker, NTP ink $612 million settlement!

[OzPhIsH]

BlackBerry maker, NTP ink $612 million settlement:
http://money.cnn.com/2006/03/03/technology/rimm_nt p/index.htm?cnn=yes
Off Topic, so sue me. My submissions are never accepted anyway. $612 million dollars for not making a product. I need to get in on some of that.

Don't just stick to policy.

[CyricZ]

A company shouldn't just have a stated "No Google Desktop" policy. They should run systems which make it virtually impossible for their employees to even install such software.

OpenBSD or Solaris desktops can make for a very secure corporate network. Google Desktop won't run on such systems. Likewise, the systems will be protected from other, potentially-malicious software that may prove harmful to a Windows system.

Running such a network strikes at the very root of the problem, which complements the policy you mentioned quite well.

Don't just tell them. Make it impossible.

[CyricZ]

Using systems like OpenBSD and Solaris, it is quite easy to provide an employee with a desktop that will not only vastly increase their productivity, but will also eliminate problems such as this.

Employees won't even be able to install Google Desktop on such systems. That alone is likely a better option than just telling them not to install such software, or threatening them with legal action if they do proceed to do so. Far less costly, too.