Gemini AI Security in a Business Environment
If you plan to use AI in business, security is likely one of your main concerns. Discover the security features that Gemini has to offer.
Topics Covered:
Privacy and Data Handling Policies Gemini AI Compliance and Certifications Limitations of Gemini Gemini Secure ImplementationGemini AI Security in a Business Environment
Google Gemini is an AI-powered assistant designed to enhance productivity and collaboration across various business areas.
It is deeply integrated with core Google Workspace applications such as Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Slides, serving as an intelligent assistant. Beyond Workspace, Gemini for Google Cloud assists users with coding, data analysis, and security tasks.
So, if you are planning to implement this tool in your company, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the security features offered by Gemini for business deployments and understanding how they support your organization’s security.
Privacy and data handling policies
For users with a Google Workspace license (business, enterprise, education, public sector clients), Gemini for Google Workspace provides enterprise-grade data security.
Content from these accounts is not reviewed by humans or used for model training. However it should be noted, that the Gemini application stores activity (queries, responses) for up to 18 months.
When using the Gemini API, data (queries, context, results) is stored for 55 days solely for policy enforcement and is not used to train or fine-tune any AI/ML models.
An exception is the review of flagged content—that violates the model’s usage policy. In this case, prompts, contextual information, and content generated by Gemini may be reviewed by authorized Google employees under strict supervision.
Compliance and certifications
Google has obtained a comprehensive set of security, privacy, and compliance certifications and attestations for Gemini from international regulatory and certification bodies. These include:
- ISO/IEC 27001: An international standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). It ensures that Google has a structured approach to managing information security risks.
- ISO/IEC 27701: Confirms Google’s ability to manage personal data in accordance with global privacy frameworks.
- ISO/IEC 27017: Indicates security controls specific to the cloud environment.
- ISO/IEC 27018: A standard for the protection of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in public clouds.
- ISO/IEC 42001: The first international standard for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems (AIMS).
- SOC 1/2/3: System and Organization Controls (SOC) for services provided by an organization. SOC 2 and 3 are crucial for assessing controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
- HIPAA Support: The ability to handle workloads involving Protected Health Information (PHI). This is key for healthcare organizations and requires a Business Associate Addendum (BAA) and appropriate implementation controls are on the client’s side.
- US FedRAMP High: An attestation for cloud services used by U.S. government agencies. The “High” level indicates the capability to handle the most sensitive, unclassified data.
- German BSI C5: The German Cloud Computing Compliance Controls Catalogue. It confirms compliance with Germany’s stringent data security requirements.
Limitations of Gemini
Besides understanding Gemini’s security, it’s also important to be aware of the tool’s key limitations. Knowing them will help you avoid common mistakes when using it.
- Model Hallucinations, Grounding: There are instances where Gemini models may lack grounding and a full understanding of the conversation’s topic. This can lead to model hallucinations—generating results that sound plausible but are factually incorrect. Hallucinations also include generating fake links to web pages.
- Bias: Language models can unintentionally exhibit bias, leading to outputs that perpetuate social prejudices and unequal treatment of certain groups.
- Language Quality: Although Gemini for Google Cloud demonstrates impressive multilingual capabilities, most benchmarks have been performed in American English. Consequently, the language models may provide inconsistent quality to different users. This is particularly important to watch for during translations. It’s wise to carefully review content created by Gemini.
- Limited Domain Knowledge: Gemini models have been trained on Google Cloud technology but may not possess the full knowledge required to provide accurate and detailed answers on highly specialized or technical topics, leading to superficial or incorrect information. In such cases, it is advisable to use the feature that allows adding sources containing that knowledge.
Securely implementing gemini
Organizations can control access to Gemini AI in Google Workspace by either completely disabling it or restricting access to specific users or teams (organizational units or groups) through the Google Admin console. A gradual rollout is recommended, starting with a pilot group, monitoring usage and feedback, and adjusting access based on security needs and organizational goals.
Before implementing Gemini, companies should establish internal policies defining acceptable AI use cases, data security, privacy guidelines, and industry-specific compliance requirements. An effective AI implementation requires governance and the maintenance of data security and integrity. How should such an implementation proceed?
- Assess and ensure security – Identify overexposed data, risky permissions, and compliance with evolving regulations (e.g., EU AI Act, CCPA).
- Enforce intelligent data classification and retention – Train AI models on clean, labeled data while controlling sensitive records.
- Proactively create backups – Extend Google Workspace’s native retention capabilities with zero-trust backups and mass restore options.
- Continuously audit and evolve security protocols – Implement regular reviews, update controls, and refine procedures as AI adoption grows.
How FOTC Can Support Your Gemini for Business Integration
As a trusted Google Cloud Partner, FOTC offers comprehensive support for businesses looking to integrate Gemini into their operations:
Google AI Implementation Plan
We will assess your team’s specific needs and how they currently use Google Workspace tools to create a tailored implementation plan. The goal is to ensure Gemini is integrated in a way that provides real value and supports your unique workflows.
Gemini Workshops
Our hands-on, interactive training sessions will give your team practical experience using Gemini for real-world tasks. Each workshop is customized to your team’s roles, use cases, and skill levels, making the learning relevant and immediately applicable.
AI Integration into Existing Workflows
Together, we will identify the best ways to incorporate Gemini into your existing processes. From automating tasks to improving collaboration, we will ensure that AI supports your goals without disrupting the way your team already works.
Ongoing Proactive Support
Our team stays by your side after the setup is complete. Whether it’s troubleshooting, customization, or scaling usage, we offer proactive, ongoing support to help you continuously get the most out of your Google AI investment.
