All You Need to Know About Google Drive Security Settings

The use of Google Drive has increased quickly. It crossed the one billion user mark in just three years after inception. According to the most recent information, over 3 billion individuals use Google Drive.

Given how frequently people store and share information on Google Drive, it’s important to know its security settings. 

Protecting private data on Google Drive is important, and it fits into the shared responsibility model, where users are held responsible for keeping their data safe on the platform.

This blog explains everything you must know about the security settings on Google Drive. 

How to Enhance Your Privacy and Security of Google Drive

Here are some important Google Drive security settings and suggested techniques.

1. Use Two-Factor Authentication (TFA)

Luckily, two-factor authentication and other strong secure login options are included with Google Drive. To enable two-factor verification (TFA), follow these steps:

1. Go to your Google Account and select “Security” from the left-hand navigation panel.
2. Scroll down to the “Signing in to Google” area and select the “2-Step Verification” button.
3. To set up two-factor authentication, click “Get started” and follow the on-screen instructions.
4. To sign in to your account after using two-factor authentication, you’ll need to touch a prompt on your phone or input a verification number emailed to your phone.

Select your favorite approach, such as using an authentication app on your phone or receiving an SMS text message with a code. 

Every time you log into your Google account after setting up the Google 2-Step Verification, you will need to submit two pieces of information. 

This ensures that even with your password, hackers cannot access the data on Google Drive.

2. Use Data Encryption

Google now provides client-side encryption features for all of the Google Workspace toolkits but in beta. 

In addition to the G-Suite default encryption, businesses may now use their encryption keys. To improve Google Drive data security, you’ll have complete control over your keys, how people access them, and their accounts.

Alternatively, you can use an encryption tool, partner, or service provider from a third party. Selecting a third-party encryption solution might be especially beneficial when working with complex regulations or highly sensitive intellectual property. 

Partners assist in making sure that your Google Drive encryption complies with applicable compliance standards and that excellent client-side encryption is in place to protect access to your most sensitive data. 

3. Configure Your Account for Recovery

Sometimes, users may need to completely restore their Google Drive account if they mistakenly leave it open. 

A hacker may have learned the password, the account may have been left open on a public computer, or the user may have left their laptop unsecured, allowing unwanted access. Thankfully, there are methods for account recovery during setup in Google Drive.

To configure your account for recovery on Google Drive, you can follow these steps:

1. Select “Security” from the left-hand navigation panel after logging into your Google account.
2. Scroll down to “Ways we can verify it’s you” and choose “Recovery phone.”
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to add a recovery phone number to your account.
4. You may also enter a recovery email address by selecting “Recovery email” from the “Ways we can verify it’s you” section.

4. Access Controls

Managers may monitor and manage the Google services and applications each user has access to, including Google Drive, to apply for least-privilege access. 

To access and manage access controls in Google Drive, you can follow these steps:

Accessing Shared Drives

Go to Google Drive and select “Shared drives” from the left-hand panel to view a list of shared drives that you are a member of.

Managing Shared Drive Members

If you are an administrator, you can manage shared drive members through the Admin console by following these steps:

1. Sign in to your Google Admin console.
2. In the Admin console, go to Menu > Apps > Google Workspace > Drive and Docs.
3. Click “Manage shared drives” to access the settings for shared drives5.
4. You can add or remove members, change access levels, and manage permissions for shared drives through the Admin console.

Assigning Roles and Permissions

To limit what activities users, groups, and service accounts can take on Google Drive resources, roles, and permissions can be provided to them. Each of the roles contains a collection of permissions to allow specific actions on Drive resources

5. Take Care Who You Share Your Files With

Access to your Google Drive files should only be granted to those who specifically require it. ‘Restricted’ or ‘Anyone with the link’ are the two permissions choices available to you when sharing files.

You give the person who received the file full permission to share the link with anybody else if you choose “Anyone with the link.” 

You should only add someone’s email address to a Google Drive file in order to share access with them. 

This prevents the other person from sharing the link with other people and allows them only to read the file when signed into their Google account.

6. Accept Use Policy

To avoid account suspension due to policy breaches, follow Google’s Acceptable Use Policy. Access the Google Drive Terms of Service by visiting the following link: Google Drive Terms of Service. Review the terms to understand the conditions and agreements related to using Google Drive.

7. RECAPTCHA

Google employs reCAPTCHA to defend against fraudulent and abusive activities inside Google Drive.

Protect Your Data and Information on Google Drive

To ensure the security of Google Drive, users must adhere to approved restrictions, implement strong safety settings, and use responsible conduct. 

By using the techniques above, people and companies may enhance the safety of their data and provide a safe and efficient work environment within Google Drive.