

Google Drive encrypts your data at rest using AES-256 encryption, a widely used encryption standard. When your data, such as your documents, is stored on Google servers or on your device, it is “at rest.” Put simply, this state covers situations where your data is not being actively accessed, transferred or used. Your data can exist in three states and it must be protected in all states to maintain the security and privacy of your sensitive information. To understand if your data on Google Drive is secure, it’s important to first understand how your data travels through Google Drive. Let’s delve into why and answer the million-dollar questions: Is Google Drive secure? What security and privacy gaps does it have? But these measures are table stakes in online privacy - while they may be effective against external threats to some extent if implemented properly, they are not enough to provide full security and privacy for the data that you store on Google Drive. Google does implement various measures to protect your files and documents on Google Drive, including encryption of your data both “in transit” and “at rest,” the details of which we’ll cover below. What if a disgruntled Google employee accesses this content, sells it on the dark web, or uses it against you? Or, in the case of your medical information, are your sensitive details secure against unauthorized access? Can Google or others use it for advertising? Imagine that you keep your private journal on Google Docs and it contains sensitive details about your life.

What Security Measures Google Uses to Protect Google Drive

If you’re like most people, you probably store these documents on Google Drive, along with a wide range of other types of personal information. Passport copies… Medical records… Tax documents….
