Google announces this Meet security feature for Gmail. What is it ?

The client-side encryption feature was previously available only for Google Meet and Docs data. Now, the company is extending this feature to the other tools of the Workspace productivity suite. It will keep the data encrypted on the end user’s device before it is transferred to the data centre servers.

Google has revealed several new features for the tools in its Workspace productivity suite during the company’s annual cloud computing showcase -- Google Cloud Next. Among them is a new security feature for its email service. This new Gmail security feature will help corporate users to prevent data from being exposed to attackers. The client-side encryption (CSE) support is set to arrive for Gmail by the end of this year and will be added to Google Calendar by the end of 2023, respectively. What is client-side encryption (CSE) The client-side encryption feature was previously available only for Google Meet and Docs data. Now, the company is extending this feature to the other tools of the Workspace productivity suite. It will keep the data encrypted on the end user’s device before it is transferred to the data centre servers. This means not even Google will have the encryption keys that are required to gain access. Once CSE is enabled, the security feature will only allow the sender and intended recipients to read the emails that are composed in Gmail. This feature will also prevent others from reading messages that may get intercepted during transit. 

Importance of client-side encryption This feature will allow businesses to have direct control over their encryption keys as well as the identity management provider required to access those keys. Google has mentioned that the company uses “the latest cryptographic standards” to encrypt the data landing on its servers to ensure that hackers don’t get access to sensitive information. The tech giant wants to help its customers “strengthen the confidentiality of their data while addressing data sovereignty and compliance requirements.” Google Chat is also set to receive the data loss prevention feature that will allow admins to protect against real-time leaks. Moreover, the company has also announced new data-sharing options for Google Drive that will offer businesses better control over how files are shared.