Google's security 'embedded within infrastructure'
25/03/2008 13:07:51
The vice president of engineering for Google has explained that security measures at the firm are embedded in the technical infrastructure, rather than at the "endpoints" of the system.
Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Douglas Merrill states: "We have antivirus and antispyware running on people's machines, but we also have those things on our mail server. We have programs in our infrastructure to watch for strange behavior".
He also explains that the choice of operating systems provides difference challenges for supporting employees.
However, Mr Merrill also adds that this approach allows staff to be more productive, despite the fact that "it's a little bit less cost-efficient".
Google maintains a number of data security jobs, with the vice president stating that the company employes 150 engineers "who do nothing but security".
Mr Merrill initially joined Google in 2003 as senior director of information systems. He is currently responsible for internal engineering and Google's worldwide support.
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