If your organization uses Google Workspace, you may find yourself wondering how to best secure all of the various services and devices that are part of your daily workflow. Mobile devices, laptops, and desktops can all connect to your Google Workspace services, giving them access to your organization’s sensitive information and private data. This is why it is more important than ever to have comprehensive security policies across platforms.
Fortunately, Google Endpoint Management can help you improve your organization’s data security with relative ease. In this article we will discuss Google Endpoint Management and explore how it can be used to increase your organization’s security.
Topics include
- Understanding Endpoints
- Types of Endpoint Management
- Using Endpoint Management For Information Security
Understanding Endpoints
Before discussing Google Endpoint Management, it’s important to first understand the concept of endpoints. An endpoint is a term used to describe any device that connects to a larger network. In the context of Google Workspace, an endpoint refers to any mobile device, laptop, or desktop that connects to one or more of Google Workspace’s services.
It can help to think of endpoints as windows, and your Google Workspace as a house. The more windows your house has, there are more possible points of entry that need to be secured. Without endpoint management, you are essentially leaving the windows unlocked, making it easier for someone to gain unauthorized access to your private data. Fortunately, Google Endpoint Management is built into Google Workspace, giving you all of the tools you need to secure your endpoints.
Types of Endpoint Management
Since there are multiple types of endpoints, there are different types of endpoint management depending on the type of device being used. Google Workspace divides endpoint management into two types: Computer and Mobile. Generally speaking, computer endpoints are composed of desktops and laptops, while mobile endpoints are mobile devices such as phones and tablets.
To help you keep track of the options available to you, here are the different types of endpoint management and their related features:
Mobile Security – Divided into two types of security, Basic and Advanced.
Basic Security – Requires no set-up and is applied automatically to any device connected to your workspace.
Advanced Security – Allows you to fine-tune the security of connected devices by requiring stronger passwords and enabling the ability to remotely wipe data. Through advanced security you can also manage iOS apps on connected Apple devices and implement work profiles for connected Android devices.
Computer Security – This type of endpoint management applies to both laptops and desktops. With this enabled, you can block devices, sign out users remotely, and manage company-owned devices.
Based on this list of features, it’s easy to see how Google Endpoint Management can be used to increase your organization’s information security. For example, if a mobile device is lost or stolen, you can remotely wipe the data to prevent unauthorized access. Keeping track of company-issued devices has never been easier, since Google Workspace automatically incorporates basic mobile security by default. If you need to increase your security for any reason, the advanced security features give you easy ways to do so.
Using Endpoint Management For Information Security
The primary benefit of using endpoint management is the ability to remotely wipe data from connected devices. To help you get a better idea of how this works, we will outline the various ways you can remotely secure your devices.
There are two ways to delete or “wipe” data from defunct or compromised devices, the first involves the deletion of work-related user accounts, which removes the ability for the device to connect to your Google Workspace organization. The second method involves wiping data from the entire device, including work data and apps as well as personal data and apps. For Android devices, work profiles can be created that will allow for the deletion of only work-specific applications and data.
Depending on the type of device being managed, remotely wiping data is handled by different device policies:
- Android – Android Device Policy
- iOS Devices – Device Policy Profile
- Windows 10 Devices – Windows Device Management
These policies must be enabled in order to remotely delete sensitive information from lost, stolen, or defunct network endpoints.
Please Note: For Android devices, you are unable to delete user accounts without wiping the entire device unless it meets the following requirements:
- The device was originally under advanced mobile management but has been switched to basic mobile management.
- The device is set up as a company-owned device or a personal device set up as work only.
Next Steps
For easy management of physical resources such as conference rooms and equipment, consider setting up building management for your Google Workspace organization.
