Google Restricts Internet Access for Some Employees to Combat Hacks, Data Breaches

Google started on Wednesday a new security pilot program where several employees will be restricted to internet-free desktop computers as it looks for ways to combat hacks and breaches in its systems.

According to CNBC, the company already started enlisting employees for the program to work without internet access. However, they will still have internal web-based tools and Google-owned websites like Gmail and Google Drive.

This latest effort from Google aims to reduce the number of attacks targeting its employees and systems, and the company believes that not being on the internet could be the way to do it.

Google Restricts Internet Access to Some Employees

The company noted in the internal materials viewed by CNBC that "Googlers are frequent targets" of cyberattacks. Thus, the company is running the program to minimize the risk of attacks.

Google said the attackers could have access to infrastructure code and user data if an employee's computer is compromised, resulting in a major incident and undermining user trust.

The description noted that attackers could not easily hack the devices remotely or grab data if the internet is turned off. Some employees will also have no root access, which means they cannot run administrative commands or install software.

This was initially mandatory for the 2,500 employees picked, but after "receiving feedback," the company revised the program to allow employees to opt out and open it up to volunteers.

Reducing Attacks, Breaches on Google's Workforce

While this means that Googlers would no longer have full access to the internet like before, the company does not altogether remove it as some work tools and Google apps require a connection.

According to Ars Technica, receiving emails with viruses or malware via Gmail is still possible, but Gmail would filter it. The company noted that employees who need the internet to do their job will get exceptions.

Google's Security and External Attacks

Google, one of the world's largest internet companies, has one of the most sophisticated security programs among entities in the industry. The Mountain View company in California is among those fighting against cyberattacks.

Earlier this year, Google implemented various measures, such as adding newly discovered malicious websites and domains to Safe Browsing, which sends alerts to targeted individuals to combat a North Korean hacking group called ARCHIPELAGO, a subset of APT43.

With Google's fame, it became a massive target for hacks and breaches. Googlers and the company's customers are also being attacked. Different Google apps have been subjected to these attacks, but mostly it was Gmail, as it contains significant sensitive information that hackers can use.

As it tries to improve its security and enforce better programs to protect the company, employees, and customers, Google is testing a new approach to prevent phishing attacks, attempts to download malicious code, and funnel data to some hackers' servers.