How Secure is Google Drive?

TL;DR

• Google Drive’s platform security is generally strong by default.
• Most incidents stem from overshared folders, links, and external access.
• Third-party apps and sync clients expand your effective attack surface.
• Continuous visibility into sharing and exposure is essential for control.

How Secure is Google Drive on Its Own?

Google Drive is built on Google’s robust cloud infrastructure, which includes strong encryption, access controls, and continuous monitoring[1]. Files are encrypted both in transit and at rest, and Google’s zero trust architecture helps prevent unauthorized access. For most organizations, these built‐in protections are a solid starting point.

But security isn’t just about technology. It’s about how people use it. Even the best platform can’t protect you from accidental oversharing, misconfigured permissions, or risky third‐party apps.

“Even with good intentions, aligning Google Drive's sharing policies with security best practices is tough. There’s too much data to check manually, and the rate of collaboration makes it hard to keep up over time.”[2]

Key Security Features in Google Drive

• Encryption for data at rest and in transit
• Granular sharing controls (internal, external, public)
• Integration with Google Workspace security tools
• Audit logs for file access and sharing
• Support for multi‐factor authentication (MFA)[3][1]

Common Google Drive Security Challenges

While Google Drive’s security features are strong, real‐world use introduces complexity. Here are the most common challenges organizations face:

1. Oversharing and Data Exposure

It’s easy for users to accidentally share files with the wrong people, or even make sensitive documents public. As organizations grow, tracking who has access to what becomes a major headache[2].

2. Shadow IT and Third‐Party Apps

Employees often connect third‐party apps to Google Drive to boost productivity. But these apps can introduce new risks if they request broad permissions or aren’t properly vetted.

3. Account Compromise

If an attacker gains access to a user’s Google account, they can exfiltrate sensitive files or change sharing settings. Strong authentication and monitoring are critical[3].

4. Lack of Visibility

Security teams often struggle to answer basic questions:

• What sensitive data exists in Google Drive?
• Who owns it, and who has access—internally and externally?
• How do we monitor access and usage over time?

Imagine a finance team’s budget spreadsheet accidentally shared with the entire company. Without the right tools, this kind of exposure can go unnoticed for months.

How Does DLP in Google Drive Actually Work?

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a set of tools and policies designed to prevent sensitive information from leaving your organization. Google Drive offers native DLP capabilities, especially for Google Workspace Enterprise customers[1].

How Google Drive DLP Works

• Scans files for sensitive data (like credit card numbers or social security numbers)
• Applies rules to block sharing or alert admins when sensitive data is discovered
• Integrates with Google Workspace’s broader security and compliance tools

DLP Best Practices for Google Drive

• Define what counts as sensitive data for your organization
• Set up DLP rules to monitor and restrict sharing of this data
• Regularly review DLP alerts and update policies as your business evolves

Best Practices for Securing Google Drive

Securing Google Drive is a team effort. Here’s a checklist to help you get started[3]:

• Restrict sharing outside your domain
• Limit local copies of Drive files
• Control and audit third‐party app access
• Enforce multi‐factor authentication for all users
• Regularly review and clean up sharing permissions
• Monitor for unusual access patterns or risky behavior

Step‐by‐Step: Securing Sensitive Files

1. Identify files containing sensitive data using automated tools
2. Audit who has access to these files (internal and external)
3. Remove unnecessary permissions and public links
4. Set up alerts for new risky sharing events
5. Educate users on secure sharing practices

Where Do Real-World Google Drive Misconfigurations Expose Sensitive Data?

Material Security provides a detection and response platform purpose‐built for Google Workspace environments. Our platform answers the tough questions that keep security teams up at night:

• What sensitive data is in Drive?
• Who owns it, and who can access it?
• How do we monitor and remediate risky sharing at scale?

Material Security’s platform offers:

• Full visibility into both Google Drive and One Drive
• Continuous monitoring for new risks, not just one‐time snapshots
• Actionable insights into exposure patterns across your organization
• Automated remediation tools to clean up sharing configurations at scale

Material’s automated remediations lets teams clean up sharing configurations at scale—revoking public links, flagging inappropriate external shares, and even bulk‐enforcing policy‐aligned ACLs—all while preserving the access employees and partners need to stay productive.

This approach means you can enable powerful features like Enterprise Search without worrying about accidental data leaks.

Comparison: Native Google Drive Security vs. Material Security

Addressing Advanced Threats: Account Takeover and Phishing

Account Takeover (ATO) and Business Email Compromise (BEC) are top concerns for organizations using cloud email and storage. Attackers target user credentials to gain access to sensitive files and communications.

Preventing Account Takeover

• Enforce strong authentication (MFA)
• Monitor for suspicious login activity
• Use identity and access management (IAM) tools to control permissions

Detecting Risky Behavior

Material Security continuously monitors user behavior and configurations, surfacing risky actions like unusual file sharing or access from unfamiliar locations. This helps security teams respond before a minor incident becomes a major breach[2].

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I most effectively manage permissions in Google Drive?

• Use group-based access controls for teams
• Regularly audit file and folder sharing settings
• Remove public links and unnecessary external shares

What are the best methods for preventing and containing account takeovers?

• Require multi-factor authentication for all users
• Monitor for unusual login patterns
• Limit the use of third-party apps with broad permissions

How do I secure regulated data in Google Workspace?

• Use DLP tools to detect and restrict sharing of regulated data
• Classify sensitive files and apply stricter access controls
• Continuously monitor for policy violations

Closing Thoughts

Securing Google Drive isn’t a one-time project. It’s an ongoing process that requires visibility, automation, and the right tools. Material Security helps organizations answer the tough questions, automate remediation, and keep sensitive data protected—without slowing down collaboration.

Ready to see how Material Security can help you secure Google Drive and your entire Google Workspace environment? Contact us for a personalized demo or explore our resources to learn more.

References

1. Google Workspace Security Center
2. Securing Google Drive for the Enterprise AI Search Wave
3. Google Workspace Admin Help: Security checklist for medium and large businesses (100+ users)

‍