Increasingly, organization’s are setting their team members up on easily-accessible cloud-based platforms to facilitate centralization of business processes and applications. Further, given that remote work is on the rise, cloud platforms address accessibility and on-demand requirements effectively. However, businesses are also weighing the pros and cons of their many options, including Office 365 and Google Apps.

There are many components that go into a decision on the right document processing solution. Do you prefer Google Apps, or would you like Office 365 Managed Services? Of course the most essential priority is cyber security. As the digital landscape grows larger, it also becomes more susceptible to cyber threats. With few differences between features, information security is the number one factor.

Google Apps vs. Office 365

The two most popular business platforms are Office 365 and Google apps. Among the enterprise, Office 365 is the most widely used and many business users are already familiar with the Windows productivity suite.

While Google Apps are newer, they have been around for over a decade and Google does have a history of producing secure yet accessible software. On the other hand, Microsoft also prioritizes information security as it is a hallmark of their business reputation. Let’s take a look at both options side-by-side.

Google Apps information security

Data monitoring and protection

Google manages a large network of data networks housing customized servers and a proprietary OS designed for security and efficiency. Google oversees and monitors its entire hardware stack so it can address threats immediately. Google apps also offer complete in-transit and at-rest data encryption. And, Google is now using machine learning to detect threats continuously.

Google does take cyber threats very seriously, and provides a large range of information strategies for infection prevention. For instance, Google uses automatic and manual scanners to identify websites that are phishing traps.

Compliance

Google Apps do follow strict privacy and security standards along with industry-wide best practices. In fact, Google is fully compliant.

Google comes with the following compliance certifications:

• ISO 27001, 27018
• SOC 2, SOC 3
• HIPAA
• FERPA
• COPPA
• EU Data Protection Directive and GDPR

End-user access

From the admin console, Google did at one time offer only a limited set of security management features. Today, Google offers the ability to manage user accounts and user permissions so that Administrators can protect information from unauthorized third parties.

Security logs

Google’s activity logs are accessible through Google’s API Console, but they cannot be tampered.

Automatic updates

Google apps are completely integrated with the cloud, so software updates are a constant process.

Office 365 information security

Data monitoring and protection

Office 365 comes with the updated Exchange Online Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) and has an email filtering service that focuses on preventing most advanced spam and threats including malware viruses. Therefore, you get real-time protection against malicious threats and phishing traps. Office 365 does prioritize information security as it provides several layers of encryption technologies to protect in-transit and at-rest data.

Compliance

Office 365 has a compliance framework complete with over 900 built-in controls. The platform is always up-to-date with current compliance standards. Microsoft also has a compliance team that stays on top of regulations and builds new controls into the suite as needed.

Office 365 comes with the following compliance certifications:

• ISO 27001, 27018
• SSAE16
• SOC1 Type II & SOC2 Type II
• FISMA
• HIPAA
• EU Data Protection Directive and GDPR

End-user access

Every section of Office 365 has built-in user control. Administrators have complete control over security policies determining how content is shared and how external users are invited. So then, Administrators can create customized information security policies to meet unique and evolving security demands.

Security logs

Office 365 comes with controls that can eliminate activity logs and are only available with user privileges. Log elimination means users can mitigate data hoards and security logs are easier to search and monitor.

Automatic updates

Once a glitchy process, Office 365 now offers automated updates seamlessly. Your Office 365 suite is always protected.

In summary

As you can see, both Google Apps and Office 365 have strategic information security protocols and strategies that protect end users. Each platform offers an attractive set of features. Yet, Office 365 does take the information security lead.

Unfortunately, Google does not keep company data private at all times. Microsoft is more reliable with data privacy, which is synonymous with information security. Also, consider the fact that Google obtains revenue from advertising and has a history of selling end-user data to advertisers. In contrast, Microsoft has made clear that it does not intend to scan or sell end-user data to advertisers or third parties.

While the platform features are similar, Office 365 comes with experience and privacy to make it better from an information security perspective. Contact SSI today to learn more about our Office 365 Managed Services.