IT beware: Chrome, Google Apps pose security risks

Another analyst has added to Richard Stallman's warnings on cloud computing, specifically honing in on Google's Chrome and Apps. Frost & Sullivan's Robert Ayoub warned in a webinar that both tools pose security risks, especially to organizations where IT has failed to put appropriate policies in place, says Collection Technology.net's Mary Wisneiwski. The idea is that since Chrome enables a faster, better Web experience, more end users will begin doing actual business on the Web, putting business data at risk.

While Chrome and Apps aren't insecure in themselves, the processes they enable are. As Ayoub says:

“The minute you put your data in the hands of your provider, you have just lost control and security of that data.”

Ayoub also offers these three steps for ensuring data remains safe, even in a Chrome/Apps scenario:

1. Recognize the risks and benefits of new devices and applications;
2. Be vigilant. This means looking for new devices that could allow for data to leave the enterprise;
3. Educate users and management about the risks of adopting unchecked applications.

In the end, IT needs to weigh the value of cloud computing against the inherent risks to the organization. In some cases, the flexibility and cost savings of the cloud will outweigh the security issues, whereas in others, the security risks will be too high. But unless IT gets out ahead of the issue, and vets these new applications and technologies up-front--before business users start widely adopting them--they'll end up doing an adhoc job, severely curtailing their influence, and leaving their data open to risk.