BeyondCorp<\/a> is Google\u2019s model for securing networks not just through VPNs and other endpoint security techniques, but through a model that focuses on context-aware access<\/a> policies that focus on the user\u2019s identity, hardware and the context of the request. That has been Google\u2019s internal security policy for a while now and over the last few months, it started bringing it to its own customers, too, starting with its Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy<\/a>, which is now generally available, and its VPC Service Controls<\/a>.<\/p>\n Today, the company is extending these context-aware access capabilities to its Cloud Identity<\/a> user and device management service, as well as G Suite, its productivity suite. So while earlier implementation centered around protecting a company\u2019s technical cloud infrastructure, this release focuses on devices and cloud-based apps like Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets and Calendar.<\/p>\n In this context, some devices, for example, may be more highly trusted because they have been enrolled in the Cloud Identity service and because a number of security policies are in place for it. That\u2019s a different kind of security posture than a system that simply trusts users because they come through a specific VPN.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Context-aware access for G Suite apps is now in beta, but only for customers who subscribe to Cloud Identity Premium, G Suite Enterprise and G Suite Enterprise for Education.<\/p>\n With today\u2019s release, Google <\/a> also announced the BeyondCorp Alliance, which brings together a number of security and management partners. These include Check Point<\/a>, Lookout<\/a>, Palo Alto Networks<\/a>, Symantec<\/a> and VMware<\/a>. According to Google, these companies are all working to bring device posture data to Google\u2019s context-aware access engine.<\/p>\n