Google unveils business security tools

Google adds enterprise web filtering to Apps offering

Google has unveiled its enterprise-focused hosted security product, which protects against web-based malware.

Google's Web Security for Enterprise is based on Postini technology, which it acquired for £320m ($625m) last year. The technology analyses URL reputation, traffic behaviour, code behaviour and code reputation to ensure that users do not inadvertently download malicious code. It has now been added to Google's Apps portfolio.

"One of the benefits of Google Apps is the protection it provides for communication and collaboration within businesses," said Scott Petry, Google's director of product management, in a statement. "Now companies can extend that protection to more of their users' internet activities, whether they're surfing the web at the office or the airport."

The product also allows companies to enforce internet usage policies at the user, department or organisation level. As this is a hosted service, it also ensures that mobile workers are covered.

The service, currently only available to companies in the US and Europe, costs £18 per user per year, with a £6 supplement for each mobile worker.