Google named a Leader in Forrester Wave™ IaaS Platform Native Security
Sunil Potti
VP/GM, Google Cloud Security
As organizations migrate their applications and data to the cloud, cloud-first security products that are tightly integrated with cloud platforms make it easy for customers to start secure and stay secure.
When done well, the use of these capabilities can help simplify security so it becomes almost invisible to users. Cloud services can reduce operational complexity, shift the balance of shared responsibility to a more mature, shared fate relationship between the customer and cloud provider, and decrease the need for highly-specialized security talent.
Invisible security innovation leveraging Google’s core strengths
At Google Cloud, we call this outcome invisible security, and it builds on our foundation of innovative, powerful, and best-in-class security controls. Given the importance of these cloud-first security capabilities to our customers in their cloud migration journey, we are pleased to announce today at the RSA Conference that Forrester Research has named Google Cloud a Leader in The Forrester Wave™: IaaS Platform Native Security, Q2 2023 report.
A Leader with highest marks possible across 14 criteria
In the Wave, Forrester evaluated the cloud-first security capabilities and go-to-market of the most significant cloud platform providers based on each vendor’s Current Offering, Strategy, and Market Presence. Of the eight vendors, Google Cloud received the highest score in the Strategy category, and received the most 5 out of 5 ratings across the 22 criteria evaluated in the Wave.
In the Current Offering, Strategy, and Market Presence categories, Google Cloud received the highest score possible in the following criteria: Data Centers, Security Certifications, Administrative IAM, Hypervisor Security, Guest OS Security, Container Security, Network Security, Vision, Market Approach, Planned Enhancements, Innovation, Delivery Model, Commercial Model, and IPNS revenue.
The report states that, “Google offers convincing admin IAM capabilities, as well as robust hypervisor and confidential computing security. Network security, especially web application firewall and segmentation/microsegmentation, are ahead of competitors.”
Driven by Zero Trust and digital sovereignty principles
Discovery and protection of sensitive data are integral parts of Google Cloud’s strategy to safeguard customer data, and in a recent evaluation Forrester Research ranked Google Cloud a Leader in The Forrester Wave™ Data Security Platforms Q1 2023. This together with control over data and transparency into its use and access are at the core to our approach that is built on three pillars:
A secure platform that delivers transparency and enables sovereignty: We provide a secure foundation that customers can verify and independently control. Services enable customers to move from their own data centers to our cloud while maintaining control over data location and operations, and help ensure compliance with local regulations.
A Zero Trust architecture: We offer battle-tested technology that can comprehensively protect data against the threats that Google Cloud sees and defends against every day.
Shared fate, not shared responsibility: We strive to operate in a shared-fate model for risk management in conjunction with our customers. We believe that it's our responsibility to be active partners as our customers deploy securely on our platform, not delineators of where our responsibility ends.
Recognizing, in our opinion, our leadership, our progress, continued investment, and innovation for cloud platform security, the report emphasizes, “Google has invested in digital sovereignty and Zero Trust, policy intelligence, and automatic data leak prevention, as well as security foundations (the vendor’s continually updated architectural blueprint) for security posture management. It has a strong vision and strategy for developing its IPNS solution set. Its go-to market approach is based on real life customer requirements. Google’s innovation, as well as delivery and commercial model are ahead of those of other vendors evaluated.”
Delivering value for our customers
We are honored to be a Leader in The Forrester Wave™ IaaS Platform Native Security Q2 2023 report, and look forward to continuing to innovate and partner with you on ways to make your digital transformation journey safer and more secure.
A copy of the full report can be viewed here.
