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Google’s New AI Ransomware Protection in Drive: How to Strengthen It with Containment, CDR, and an AI Vault
By Ran Dubin - CTO
On 1 October 2025, Google introduced an AI model in Drive for desktop that looks for behavior consistent with ransomware, then automatically pauses cloud sync and allows users to bulk-
restore healthy versions in a few clicks. The feature is currently in open beta and is included in many commercial Workspace plans at no additional cost. Availability and functionality may
change. Administrators receive alerts and audit visibility via the Security Center [1], [3], [4].
In practice, when Drive for desktop detects unusual file changes that resemble ransomware, it halts sync, so potential damage does not propagate to Drive. From there, users can restore
multiple files from known-good versions in the Drive web UI, while administrators investigate using alerts and logs [1], [3], [4].
This is a meaningful step forward. It can reduce recovery friction and limit blast radius across an organization’s cloud storage.
The U.S. risk picture continues to worsen, so prevention should lead
According to the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, reported cybercrime losses in the United States reached $16.6 billion in 2024, a 33% year-over-year increase, and ransomware complaints rose 9%. The report notes ransomware remains widespread among critical infrastructure victims [7]. Verizon’s 2025 DBIR reports ransomware or extortion in 44% of
analyzed breaches, up from 32% the prior year [8]. Separate industry analysis indicates large-scale credential theft driven by information-stealing malware, with 3.2 billion credentials compromised in 2024 and more than twenty-three million devices affected [9]. These trends support a straightforward principle: effective ransomware defense should start with prevention at the endpoint, not only recovery after suspicious activity begins.
Where Drive’s new protection fits, and where gaps can remain
Google Drive’s AI-based detection and restore layer is valuable, but it activates once suspicious encryption is underway. It helps contain potential cloud spread and simplifies rollback, yet
local endpoints and non-Drive data may still be impacted before detection. Examples include newly created local files, network shares that are not synchronized to Drive, or sensitive assets
that should not be synchronized at all. Drive for desktop is a Windows and macOS sync client; its scope is Drive-connected content and workflows, not every endpoint process or data path [2].
Preemptive containment, Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR), and on-host data classification with secure vaulting provide complementary layers that can further reduce risk.
BUFFERZONE®: Protection by Containment™, CDR, and AI-assisted data vaulting
BUFFERZONE® Safe Workspace® uses Protection by Containment™ to isolate higher-risk activity (browsing, email attachments, downloads) from the trusted operating system
and data, helping reduce the chance that ransomware executes where it can affect files. Combined with CDR, it sanitizes inbound content by removing active elements that are commonly
abused, complementing signature-based tools.
Paired with BUFFERZONE Safe Data, the on-host classification engine continuously monitors file activity to detect business-sensitive, PII, and medical data, then prompts users to secure
those files at rest in a local, encrypted AI-assisted vault powered by NoCloud® technology. NoCloud ® processes content locally by default and is designed to avoid sending sensitive content to cloud services, subject to your configuration and policies. This privacy-preserving approach helps keep sensitive data protected even if an endpoint is attacked, including in cases where files should not be synchronized to the cloud due to regulatory or data-residency requirements.
To reduce exposure windows, combine containment, CDR, and classification with vaulting so you help keep threats out and keep sensitive data protected at rest.
How the layers work together
| Threat moment | Google Drive for desktop (new AI feature) | BUFFERZONE Safe Workspace + CDR | BUFFERZONE Safe Data (classification + AI vault) |
| A risky file or web session attempts delivery | Out of scope until synced content changes | Containment helps isolate the session; CDR sanitizes files before they reach the OS | Can detect when activity involves sensitive files and keeps those files vaulted |
| Ransomware begins encrypting files | Detects mass-encryption behavior, pauses sync, and limits potential cloud blast radius [1] | Helps prevent execution in trusted space and reduces the ability to reach local data | Sensitive data is already in a secure vault, which limits the impact |
| Recovery | Bulk restores healthy versions via Drive web; administrators alerted and logged [1], [3], [4] | Minimal recovery is typically needed in the trusted OS | Vaulted data remains protected; any re-exposure follows policy-controlled release |
Practical architecture tips
- Enabled Drive’s AI ransomware detection for eligible users and verified administrator alerts and Security Center dashboards for incident triage [1], [3], [4].
- Harden endpoints with containment first. Run browsers, email attachments, and downloads in isolated zones so malware has fewer paths to local files.
- Sanitize at the door with CDR. Remove active content that can be abused before documents enter the trusted environment.
- Classify and vault sensitive data at rest. Use Safe Data to detect sensitive content in real time and secure it locally in an AI-assisted vault, regardless of cloud sync status.
- Segment what should synchronize. Not all sensitive data belongs in the cloud. Apply policies that keep high-risk files local and vaulted while enabling collaboration on non-sensitive
content [2].
Bottom line
Google’s new AI-powered ransomware controls in Drive can help stop the spread in the cloud and make recovery easier. To further minimize risk windows and help protect sensitive data
at rest, add BUFFERZONE® Safe Workspace® with Protection by Containment™ and NoCloud® AI technology. In combination, these layers provide complementary prevention,
isolation, and faster recovery.
Want to learn more? Contact us.
References
[1] Luke Camery and Kristina Behr. “Block ransomware proliferation and easily restore files with AI in Google Drive.” Google Workspace Blog. October 1, 2025. Accessed Oct 5, 2025.
[2] Google Support. “Use Google Drive for desktop.” Help Center. Accessed Oct 5, 2025.
[3] Google Workspace Admin Help. “About the security center.” Accessed Oct 5, 2025.
[4] Google Workspace Admin Help. “Use the alert center.” Accessed Oct 5, 2025.
[5] Google Workspace. “Google Drive — Share files online with secure cloud storage.” Product page. Accessed Oct 5, 2025.
[6] Jay Peters. “Google Drive adds AI to detect ransomware before it spreads.” The Verge. September 30, 2025. Accessed Oct 5, 2025.
[7] FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. 2024 Internet Crime Report. Published April 23, 2025. Key figures include $16.6B reported U.S. losses in 2024 (33% year-over-year increase) and a 9% rise in ransomware complaints. Accessed Oct 5, 2025.
[8] Verizon. 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report. Indicates ransomware or extortion in 44% of analyzed breaches, up from 32% the prior year. Accessed Oct 5, 2025.
[9] ASIS Security Management (summary of Flashpoint research). “3.2 Billion Credentials Compromised in 2024 as Cybercriminals Adopt Infostealers.” March 2025. Notes 75% of stolen credentials tied to infostealers and more than 23 million devices affected; over 200 million additional credentials stolen in early 2025. Accessed Oct 5, 2025.
