Key points
- OneDrive and Google Drive are popular cloud storage platforms, but which is more secure for your business?
- Both platforms offer comprehensive security features, but risks remain due to oversharing and improper access controls.
- Security breaches can occur if sensitive data is not properly monitored or if compliance is overlooked.
- Metomic helps secure sensitive data by scanning, classifying, and controlling access across both OneDrive and Google Drive.
Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive are both trusted, popular options for businesses needing secure cloud storage. But when it comes to protecting sensitive business data, how do these platforms actually compare?
Choosing a secure platform isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about safeguarding your data, meeting compliance standards, and maintaining client trust.
In this article, we’ll look at the key security features of both OneDrive and Google Drive, explore the risks that come with each, and show how Metomic can help strengthen their security further. Let’s take a closer look and see which platform might be the best fit for keeping your data safe.
What are the built-in security features of OneDrive?
Microsoft OneDrive offers several key security features to help protect your organisation’s data.
These include:
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of identification, such as a code sent to a mobile device, before access is granted.
- File encryption: OneDrive encrypts files both at rest and in transit, reducing the risk of interception or unauthorised access. Encryption ensures that data remains secure whether it's stored in the cloud or being shared between users.
- Granular permissions: OneDrive’s role-based access control lets administrators set detailed permissions for users, allowing them to control who can access specific files and folders. File-specific sharing permissions can also limit file sharing outside your team or organisation.
- Integration with Microsoft 365 compliance and threat protection: OneDrive integrates with Microsoft’s compliance tools, including Advanced Threat Protection (ATP), which helps detect and mitigate risks from malware and other cyber threats. ATP scans files for potential dangers, adding a proactive layer of protection.
As 25% of all breaches involve data stored on public clouds, choosing a platform with built-in security features like these is essential for any business. OneDrive's security measures offer a solid foundation, but it’s worth exploring how additional tools can further strengthen protection against modern threats.
What are the security features in Google Drive?
Google Drive includes several key features to keep your data secure:
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): Google Drive uses 2FA to add an extra layer of security, ensuring that users confirm their identity through an additional verification method before accessing files. This is particularly important as 57% of businesses globally are adopting MFA to safeguard their cloud data.
- Encryption: Google Drive encrypts data both at rest and during transfer, protecting files from unauthorised access or interception while stored or shared.
- File-specific permissions and link-sharing controls: Google Drive’s sharing settings allow admins to control access at the file level, restricting who can view, comment on, or edit documents. Link-sharing controls also limit visibility outside of your organisation, helping to prevent sensitive data from being shared unintentionally.
- Integration with Google Workspace security tools: Google Drive works with Google Workspace’s security and compliance tools, such as security dashboards and audit logs, to help teams monitor user activity and maintain compliance standards. The audit logs, for instance, give detailed insights into user behaviour, supporting quick detection of unusual activities or potential risks.
Google Drive’s security features provide a strong base for data protection, but as with any platform, adding extra layers of security can further enhance safety for your business.
What are the security risks involved with both?
Even with their strong security features, both OneDrive and Google Drive come with some risks that require attention:
- Misconfigured access controls: A common issue with cloud storage, misconfigured access settings can easily expose sensitive information. Nearly 23% of cloud security incidents are actually due to misconfiguration, often when permissions are set too broadly or aren’t regularly reviewed.
- Oversharing data: Both platforms make sharing files and folders simple, but this convenience can sometimes lead to oversharing. Public sharing links or open folder permissions can allow sensitive data to end up in the hands of more people than you’d like, creating unnecessary risk.
- Insider threats and human error: Large teams especially can face issues with users accidentally sharing the wrong files or adding unauthorised users. Whether intentional or accidental, internal threats are a real concern as people often have access to valuable data.
Recognising these risks can help you take steps to keep data secure. Both platforms benefit from strong sharing practices and regular audits to keep permissions in check.
What can cause security breaches in both?
Even with comprehensive security tools, certain factors can lead to security breaches in both OneDrive and Google Drive:
- Human error: Mistakes happen – a user might accidentally share a file with the wrong permissions or send a link that’s publicly accessible. Human error remains a leading cause of cloud data breaches, responsible for around 31% of incidents.
- Lack of monitoring: Without regular oversight of access controls and file-sharing practices, sensitive data can slip through the cracks. Unmonitored access settings or outdated permissions make it easy for information to be accessed or shared in ways that expose it to risk.
- Weak authentication practices: Insufficient encryption or basic passwords make these platforms more vulnerable to attackers. Without strong multi-factor authentication (MFA) in place, malicious actors have an easier path to access valuable files.
Keeping data secure on OneDrive and Google Drive requires more than just good tools; it also requires consistent practices around monitoring, access control, and user training.
Which is better for protecting data?
When it comes to choosing between OneDrive and Google Drive, both platforms offer strong security features, but their strengths and weaknesses vary depending on your specific needs.
Here’s a breakdown of how each platform stacks up when it comes to data protection:
Strengths and weaknesses
Feature |
OneDrive |
Google Drive |
Integration with ecosystem |
Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 tools, ideal for businesses already using Microsoft’s ecosystem. |
Deep integration with Google Workspace, ideal for businesses using Google services. |
Access control & sharing |
Offers Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and file-specific sharing permissions to prevent oversharing. |
Provides file-specific permissions, link-sharing controls, and extensive user access management. |
Security features |
Strong file encryption (in transit and at rest), with additional threat protection features. |
Strong 2FA and encryption, with audit logs and endpoint protection. |
Ease of use |
More complex setup, especially when integrating with other Microsoft security tools. |
User-friendly interface, but can require additional third-party security tools for full protection. |
Compliance support |
Built-in compliance tools like Microsoft Defender and Microsoft 365 compliance centre. |
Built-in tools for compliance, but requires more third-party integration for full functionality. |
Continuous monitoring and control
Regardless of the platform you choose, continuous monitoring and control over sensitive data are critical. Both OneDrive and Google Drive offer automated security controls, such as alerts and compliance reports, but the most important step is how these tools are used and maintained.
For optimal data protection:
- Regular audits should be conducted to monitor who has access to what data and how that data is being shared.
- Enforcing least privilege access ensures that only the necessary users have access to sensitive files, reducing the risk of accidental exposure.
- User training is essential to prevent human error which makes up almost a third of all cloud data breaches.
Security for businesses with compliance requirements
When considering which platform offers better security for businesses with compliance needs—such as GDPR, ISO 27001, or other regulatory standards—both OneDrive and Google Drive offer useful tools, but there are some differences to consider.
Cloud Storage Comparison
Compliance Feature |
OneDrive |
Google Drive |
Compliance Certifications |
Meets standards like GDPR, ISO 27001, HIPAA, with advanced auditing and reporting capabilities. |
Meets GDPR, ISO 27001, and other global standards; more focused on ease of use. |
Audit & reporting tools |
Integrated with Microsoft 365 compliance centre, offering automated reports and audit logs. |
Security dashboards and audit logs, though may require additional configuration. |
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) |
Built-in DLP features, with easy management through Microsoft 365 admin centre. |
DLP features available via Google Workspace, though may require additional setup. |
Data retention & classification |
Integrated with Microsoft’s retention policies and data classification tools. |
Offers retention and classification tools, but may require third-party integrations for full functionality. |
Ultimately, both platforms can meet the needs of organisations with compliance requirements, but it depends on the specific setup, user management, and how actively security tools are maintained.
For those already within a Microsoft ecosystem, OneDrive may be a more seamless choice. However, Google Drive stands out for its ease of use, integration, and its ability to adapt to a wide range of business needs.
While it may require some additional management to ensure full compliance, the flexibility and scalability it offers can make it an excellent choice for organisations looking for a streamlined, user-friendly solution.
Remember, it’s not just about which platform has the best security features—it’s about how those features are deployed and monitored within your organisation. With the right security approach, Google Drives features can be effectively managed to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance.
🔒How Metomic can help
Metomic enhances your data security by integrating seamlessly with OneDrive and Google Drive, offering the tools you need to keep sensitive data protected.
- Scanning and classifying sensitive data: Metomic scans and classifies sensitive data across both platforms, giving you clear visibility over what data is stored and shared.
- Real-time scanning and automated alerts: It provides real-time scanning for any sensitive data uploads or file sharing, with automated alerts whenever there are policy violations or instances of oversharing.
- Enforcing data retention and preventing oversharing: Metomic automatically enforces data retention policies and monitors file-sharing settings, helping to prevent accidental oversharing and reduce risks of exposure.
- Supporting compliance requirements: Metomic helps businesses stay compliant with standards like GDPR and ISO 27001, offering compliance reports and audit logs to track data handling practices.
With Metomic, you can keep tighter control over your data in OneDrive and Google Drive, reducing security risks and supporting your compliance efforts.
Getting started with Metomic
Getting started with Metomic is simple, and it can really take your data security in OneDrive and Google Drive to the next level.
Here’s how you can get going:
- Free security assessment: Kick things off with a free risk assessment to spot any gaps in your security ecosystem. Metomic will help you identify potential risks and show you where improvements can be made to better protect your data.
- Book a personalised demo: Curious about how Metomic works? Book a personalised demo with our security experts to see how features like real-time scanning, data classification, alerts, and retention policies can help secure your business data.
- Reach out to us: Have questions or want to learn more? Get in touch with our team to talk through your organisation’s specific needs and find out how Metomic can help protect your data in OneDrive and Google Drive.