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Google Copies Corporate Data to Google's Servers?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the not-me-seekrit-plans dept.

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.'"

2 of 295 comments (clear)

  1. CIOs, come on, go(ogle) for it! by yagu · · Score: 1, Troll

    Up front disclaimer: My WA state license plates are "GOOGLE" so some would probably accuse me of some bias.

    I'll probably get flamed here, but I think CIO's are missing an opportunity for a great productivity enhancement at the hands of their Google paranoia. I wouldn't blame a CIO for wanting policy like this (I guess), but Google has shown themselves to be good corporate citizens, and I still submit they honor their "do no evil" credo.

    I don't know what better way for a company of employees to share and access their data than having a Google desktop. Certainly (and Google knows this) Google exposes itself to such huge liability I can't imagine this being something they don't address with extreme due diligence.

    As for the paragraph from the fine article:

    Analyst Gartner last week warned that the 'search across computers' feature on the latest version of Google Desktop poses an "unacceptable risk" to many organisations because it allows people to share information and also stores some of that data on Google servers.

    People sharing information in companies isn't new, and I don't see this desktop searching as bringing any additional risk to bear. As for the information stored on Google servers, as stated above, Google seems to have this in hand, and I'd trust them for this service far more than anyone else, including any home-grown in house attempt to provide similar architecture.

    I'd rather my CIO be a little more bold and allow this as a tool to further leverage my company's data.

  2. Uh huh... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    This FUD-fest brought to you by Microsoft.

    (Who just announced that they will bury Google with their new search engine. No no, I'm sure they're not related in the slightest! Nooooo!!!)