Innovative security features supplement Google Apps

By Dave Nixon

Google Apps set of office tools is being supplemented by the addition of security for remote workers.

Google Web Security for Enterprise, the consequence of last year’s procurement of Postini, includes real-time malware defense and URL filtering with policy enforcement and reporting.

In a statement Google added that an additional feature extends the same protections to users working remotely on laptops in hotels, cafes, and even guest networks.

Google furthermore leveraged the Postini purchase last October when it provided users with access to new email security and compliance features at no extra cost.

Google Web Security allows companies to secure their networks from Web-based malware; enforce Internet use policies at the user, workgroup or company level; and receive comprehensive reporting on all web activities; according to the company.

Similar to the hosted Google Apps software, the security features are delivered over the internet as a service, so the elective security features for remote workers can be accessed without internal network access for employees.

In addition to implementing policies, administrators can audit and appraise web activity reports on individual users, departments or the whole company.

Google released the enterprise version of Google Apps over a year ago to contend with the omnipresent Microsoft Office suite of work tools.

Google Apps includes email, shared calendaring, instant messaging, VoIP, web page creation and online document hosting and collaboration.