The Google Workspace team has been hard at work creating features that make the user experience easier, more enjoyable, and more secure. From Google Meet to the Admin console and beyond, here are the latest Google Workspace updates you should know about.
New Meet Admin Settings
Google Workspace admins now have more control over the meetings users in their organization can join.
Admins can choose from three settings:
- Only allow users to join meetings created by a member of the same organization.
- Only allow users to join meetings created by a Google Workspace customer (paid account).
- Allow users to join all meetings, including those created using a personal Google account.
By default, users can join all meetings (option three).
For instructions on changing this setting and managing other Meet security settings, visit Google’s Meet security settings guide.
Enable Audit Logs for Google Cloud Search
Admins can now enable audit logging for Google Cloud Search APIs, providing greater visibility into API usage and helping organizations gain deeper insights into their users’ search experience.
When enabled, audit logs securely record information such as:
- API method and request details
- Relevant request and response data
- IP address and caller identity
- Response status
- Other API activity details
This feature is available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus and Google Cloud Search customers. At this time, Google does not plan to make it available for other Google Workspace or G Suite editions.
Learn more about Google Cloud Search audit logging.
New Limit for Google Calendar API Queries
Developers should be aware that Google Calendar API queries are now monitored and limited on a per-minute basis.
To learn more about API quotas and recommended best practices, visit Google’s Calendar API quota guide.
Download and Edit Backups in Bulk with Classic Sites Manager
With the retirement of Classic Google Sites approaching, Google has updated the Classic Sites Manager to make the transition to the new Google Sites easier.
Admins can now:
- Bulk download site archives through Google Takeout
- Bulk enable or disable users from editing sites
These features are available across all Google Workspace and G Suite plans and join the Classic Sites Manager’s existing capabilities, including:
- Bulk deletion
- Site restoration
- Ownership updates
Google Drive File Link Updates
Admin Decision Required
Google is rolling out a security update that will change the links for some Google Drive files.
While this update is intended to improve security, Google recognizes that changes to file URLs and access could create additional work for some organizations.
To help admins prepare, Google will provide information about how many users, folders, Shared Drives, and files may be affected. Admins can then decide whether to opt out of the update before July 23, 2021.
To review the impact and make your decision, look for an alert titled “Security update for Drive” in the Admin console’s Alert Center.
Important: This update will take effect by default. An admin must manually opt out if your organization does not want to apply the security change.
New Community for Google Workspace Admins
Google has launched a new community for Google Workspace and G Suite admins.
The Google Cloud Community replaces the previous Cloud Connect Community while offering the same features, along with new resources such as:
- Workspace discussion forums
- Ideation and UX research
- Community events
- Community blogs
To create an account, visit Google Cloud Community and select the Workspace for Admins community. You can sign in using your Google Workspace credentials through Single Sign-On (SSO).
Create Custom Google Sites Templates
Google has also begun rolling out custom templates for Google Sites.
Similar to templates in Google Docs and Slides, this feature allows organizations to create, submit, and use their own custom Sites templates in addition to the 10 templates provided by Google.
The rollout began recently and is expected to be available to all Google Workspace customers except Google Workspace Business Starter users by early August 2021.
Final Thoughts
These updates give Google Workspace admins more control over security, collaboration, auditing, and content management while making it easier for organizations to manage their Workspace environments.
Have questions about these updates or how they may affect your organization? Reach out to the HiView Solutions team through our contact form. We’d be happy to help!
