Google boosts security of hosted developer services

Google services like Cloud Storage will now be able to authenticate interaction with applications using certificate-based technology

Google has beefed up the security of its cloud hosted services for developers by making several of them able to authenticate interactions with applications using certificate-based Service Accounts.

These certificates offer a stronger authentication method than shared keys and passwords because they aren't "human-readable or guessable," wrote Google product manager Justin Smith in a blog post.

Cloud-hosted developer services that can now authenticate application requests through Service Accounts are Google Cloud Storage; Google Prediction API; Google URL Shortener; Google OAuth 2.0 Authorization Server; Google APIs Console; and Google APIs Client Libraries for Python, Java, and PHP.

Google plans to add more APIs and client libraries to that list. The feature is implemented as an OAuth 2.0 flow and is compliant with draft 25 of the OAuth 2.0 specification, according to Smith.

IDC analyst Stephen Hendrick said that security remains the main concern among users regarding cloud services, so Google has done well to focus on this initiative.

"Since the cloud is predicated on service enablement, security improvements specific to service invocation are likely to gain attention and garner praise. Initiatives like OAuth 2.0 and Google's decision to align their Service Account support with OAuth is an important step forward in improving cloud security," Hendrick said via email.

Juan Carlos Perez covers enterprise communication/collaboration suites, operating systems, browsers and general technology breaking news for The IDG News Service. Follow Juan on Twitter at @JuanCPerezIDG.

Register now for the ARN Security Forum 2013 on June 4 at the Sydney Mint

More about: Google, Hewlett-Packard, HP, IDC, IDG
References show all
Comments are now closed.
Related Whitepapers
Latest Stories
Community Comments
ARN Directory | Distributors relevant to this article
Alloys , Aquion , ASI Solutions , Australasian PC Distributors (APCD) , Australian IT Spares , Avnet Technology Solutions , Banksia Software , Bluechip Infotech , Com1 International , Dicker Data , Dynamic Supplies , EMPR Australia , ICT Distribution , Impact Systems Technology , Ingram Micro Australia , Lynx Technologies , MPA Systems , Sektor , Synnex Australia , Topstar Computer International , Wholesale IT , XiT Distribution
ARN Directory | Vendors relevant to this article
HP
rhs_login_lockGet exclusive access to ARN's news, research and invitation only events.
ARN Distributor Directory
Find distributors by name | vendor | location
Channel Deals
/deals/aca-pacific/479_storagecraft-shadowprotect-4-award-winning-dis
ACA Pacific

StorageCraft ShadowProtect 5. Maximise Business Continuity and Minimise Recovery Times

More details »
ARN Vendor Directory
Find vendors by name | category

iAsset is a channel management ecosystem that automates all major aspects of the entire sales,marketing and service process, including data tracking, integrated learning, knowledge management and product lifecycle management.

Latest Jobs