ANALYSIS – While not quite as blunt as earlier articles (InfoWorld), the message that Google is relaying to IT departments in this WSJ Online article is this—resistance is futile—our applications will be on your network whether you like it or not. The latest salvo comes in the form of a new version of Google Apps that allows sharing of docs with others based on the company email addresses. And when critical mass is achieved, then IT will be forced to succumb.
The security risks with this approach are many. Is there an opt-in/opt-out feature? Is the configuration process so blindingly simple, that end-users will not “accidentally” share the company’s earnings statement? If an employee who is part of the group quits, what guarantee is there that they will be removed from the sharing list? And of course the Google practice of indexing everything needs to be addressed. And the list goes on.
Interestingly, the tactics Google is taking to increase penetration smell somewhat like the same strong arm tactics that their rival has taken to achieve their success, which raises the question, is it just a matter of time?
Click here to view the Wall Street Journal blog article.
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