Google recently wrote an article criticizing Microsoft, saying its technology makes customers less secure. If you’re wondering what the basis for this extraordinary claim is, the company actually cites the results of Google’s own commissioned polling strategy. The survey surveyed 2,600 U.S. employees, including 338 who worked for the government in various capacities.
While the survey included questions on a variety of topics including cybersecurity, software compatibility and organizational purchasing habits, there were also some questions about Microsoft. According to the results, 84% of Washington, D.C. government employees use Microsoft services such as Teams, Word, Outlook and OneDrive. The majority of all respondents claimed that the government’s reliance on Microsoft technology makes it more vulnerable to cybersecurity incidents such as hackers.
Google suggests that Microsoft’s technology is actually legacy and that the only reason businesses don’t switch to new suppliers is resistance to change. About half of the respondents also claimed that there were other products that would allow them to do their jobs better.
This has led to a harmful shadow IT trend, in which workers use unapproved software to increase workplace productivity, Google said. And why are they allowed to download software without any scrutiny from IT administrators?
Lastly, Google also added that businesses need to rethink their software acquisition strategies, it went on to say. With so many respondents reporting that they are dissatisfied with traditional IT solutions, it may be time for the government to rethink its procurement approach. […] As the government struggles to meet the needs and preferences of its constituents and employees, it is clear that there is an over-reliance on traditional solutions despite a track record of cybersecurity breaches and poor user perception.
While criticizing Microsoft’s plans, Google also introduced its cloud services, saying it’s time to give civil servants across the United States more tools for variety and choice — 70 percent use them outside of work, according to the survey by Gmail. Government workers are entitled to benefit from the same flexible, secure office tools they use in their personal lives.
In a statement to NBC News, Microsoft expressed disappointment at Google’s attack on competitors’ marketing tactics but said it was not surprising to see its competitors use these methods to push their own products, and said it would continue to use its “best” software and security services” to support the U.S. government and other customers.
Visit Google’s original text: https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/identity-security/government-workers-say-microsoft-tech-makes-them-less-secure-new-survey
