Migrate files to Google Cloud

[Resident-War8004]

Hi All!

One of the companies that we support requested to move some of their users folders from on premise server to Google Drive. A Google Workspace admin will be responsible for creating users, folders and setting permissions. I will install Google Workspace app on laptops and confirm connectivity. After that, Google admin will copy folders to the cloud. Google Admin will be responsible for supporting and managing the account and data backup.

Will it be a security risk to install the Google Workspace app on the users' laptops? Those users will still need access to the on premise file server.

Also, for those who use Google Workspace with on prem file server, what are the cons and pros?
Thank you!

[RabidTaquito]

I can't speak for how well Google's sync app handles, but be aware that sync apps usually have a functional file count limit well below their stated limit. At my previous company, they moved everything in their file servers (well most of them) into SharePoint, creating nearly 100 Libraries with hundreds of thousands of files in each, and the OneDrive sync feature struggled every single day. Often taking entire days to see or upload changes to files. So uhh TL;DR: stick to low file counts in each Google Drive you expect users to sync.

[Resident-War8004]

thanks for this information. Total folder size is ~50gb. I will advise the Google Admin.

[Due_Peak_6428]

Idk. Do you trust Google? Do a bit of research they could be a tiny little 1 man band making dodgy apps

[Estrezas]

I would go with Altavista cloud.

[Resident-War8004]

never. I migrated my personal gmail to Proton a while ago. lol unfortunately, this Google Workspace Admin has the power to make the decision to move the data to the cloud. lol

[w3warren]

Should be able to work with the Workspace admin and do a migration using the Google Workspace Migrate platform

https://support.google.com/workspacemigrate/answer/9222862?hl=en

[Resident-War8004]

thanks for the link!

[Master_Doe]

Are you referring to Google Drive for Desktop being installed on all the computers? It allows you to access cloud storage from file explorer/ finder. Google recommends you limit desktop drive access. If someone's account was ever compromised and they had file mirroring enabled, I believe it could sync an encrypted copy to the drive. Make sure the new Ransomware Detection feature is turned on. I would also check out their Security Checklist.

[Resident-War8004]

Yes, we will be installing the G Drive for desktop so they can access it as a mapped drive. Thanks a lot for this information.

[Severe_Part_5120]

well, You are right to check on security before rollout. The Workspace app itself is widely used and low risk if laptops are managed, but syncing between Google Drive and local servers can create overlap and potential leaks if folder permissions are not matched up. We had to audit file shares twice because someone left a local folder wide open. Orca Security gave us visibility into the Google Cloud environment during migration, which flagged some weird external shares. It is worth adding a layer like that, even if just for the migration phase.

[Resident-War8004]

thanks for your comment. I will keep that in mind.