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A scorching potato: Google and Microsoft have been at it for many years, and the search large has now introduced Redmond’s IT monopoly within the US authorities sector into the highlight with a brand new survey. Commissioned by the Google Cloud group, the Public Opinion Strategies survey polled 2,600 American staff, 338 of whom have been employed throughout federal, state or native governments. Besides a majority of those authorities staff displaying concern for future cyberattacks, and being unhappy with Microsoft’s office choices, Google mentioned that governments’ reliance on Microsoft tech made them extra weak to hacking.
In a quite scathing weblog submit, Google criticized the dominance of Microsoft’s productiveness software program presently in use throughout US federal and state governments for the safety dangers and vulnerability related to the ‘legacy’ instruments. While there may be fact to Google’s claims, the Public Opinion Strategies survey it has used to make them can also be questionable in itself.
For starters, the survey is commissioned by Google Cloud, as an alternative of being unbiased. And if that does not improve the chance of bias, the significant pattern dimension on which Google has drawn its conclusion types simply 13 p.c of the whole, since simply 338 out of two,600 surveyed persons are authorities staff.
With that mentioned, what the survey does reveal is that over 50 p.c of those authorities staff would quite produce other services – moreover Microsoft’s legacy software program – that might assist them do their jobs higher.
They additionally shared issues about potential cybersecurity assaults and governments being extra weak to hacking since they largely relied on Microsoft merchandise like Word, Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive.
The efficacy of those instruments was introduced into query as nicely, with the survey responses cut up between customers entering into favor of Microsoft and people caught utilizing these providers as a result of switching to a different vendor was tough.
Google mentioned that this example additionally risked staff adopting ‘shadow IT’ practices, which includes utilizing services at work that have not been formally authorised by their IT departments. The survey claims that the shortage of variety in out there instruments has led 35 p.c of D.C metro authorities staff to make use of shadow IT, 41 p.c of whom fall within the 20-34 age group.
In its response, Microsoft referred to as Google’s examine ‘disappointing however not shocking’ in an electronic mail to NBC News. Frank Shaw, Microsoft CVP of communications, mentioned that it was unhelpful of Google to create divisions within the safety group throughout a time of heightened alert.
He additionally famous that Redmond would collaborate throughout the business to defend its prospects and authorities companies and can help the US authorities with its greatest software program and safety providers.
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