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From Blind Spots to Boardroom Decisions: How Custom AI Tools Helped Clients Reclaim Control Over Their Google Workspace

The DeepNet Difference

Rather than recommend a costly platform migration without hard data—or worse, ignore the issue—we built our own solution.

Using AI-assisted development techniques, our Tech AdvisoryLead engineered a custom software tool that directly queried the client’s Google Workspace via API. The tool programmatically identified and categorized every file shared internally, externally, or publicly—then translated it into a format business leaders could act on.

The tool analyzed:

·     Total number of shared files (by type: internal, external, public)

·     Authentication and expiration status

·     End-user activity, login patterns, and license usage

·     Security configurations like 2FA and email protocol settings

Critically: No third-party vendors were involved. The audit ran securely on local systems, and client data was deleted after thereport was generated—preserving privacy and trust throughout the process.

“Most businesses hear about AI but don’t see it make a difference. This changed that. We built something that got real answers, fast—and helped our clients make the kind of decisions that save money and reduce risk.”— Andy Smith, Tech Advisory Lead at DeepNet

Key Challenges

Untracked File Sharing at Scale

Clients using Google Workspace had thousands of files shared publicly or externally—with no central visibility, expiration policies, or safeguards. Most didn’t realize the extent of their exposure.

No Affordable, Private Audit Tools

Existing solutions to audit Google Workspace file sharing required third-party software costing $10–$30 per user, creating a steep barrier—especially for small to mid-sized organizations.

Compliance Pressure in Regulated Industries

For legal and government clients, ensuring data residency and secure sharing was non-negotiable. But without clear governance tools, they were at risk of violating confidentiality or legal standards.

Turning Insights into Impact

The custom audit surfaced thousands of publicly accessible files—many with no expiration and zero tracking. It also highlighted user behaviors that created downstream risk, including inactive accounts, lack of two-factor authentication, and legacy email protocols.

We compiled the data into an executive-ready report, including:

  • A dashboard summarizing risks by category
  • A breakdown of licensing gaps and technical recommendations
  • A strategic brief outlining platform options and associated costs

For this client, it became clear that continuing on Google would require expensive licensing upgrades and intensive policy cleanup. Instead, they opted to migrate to Microsoft 365—where endpoint management was already handled by DeepNet—simplifying their stack and improving governance.

Scaling the Solution

Since the first engagement, we’ve deployed this audit tool across several organizations:

  • Law firms needing evidence of compliance and secure data residency
  • CPG and manufacturing companies with complex internal-external collaboration
  • Public sector entities lacking IT visibility and exposed to silent risk

The tool has now become a part of DeepNet’s ongoing advisory process—empowering organizations to make smarter, faster platform decisions.

The Results

Thousands of Risky Shares Identified

The audit uncovered thousands of publicly and externally shared files—many of which had no expiration or tracking in place. These posed serious data leakage risks, especially in regulated sectors.

Clear, Executive-Ready Reporting

Custom dashboards and executive summaries translated technical findings into board-level insights. This gave leadership the clarity they needed to make fast, confident decisions.

Six-Figure Projects Unlocked

Audit data directly supported a client decision to migrate to Microsoft 365—resulting in a $30,000+ project. The tool became a catalyst for enterprise-scale change.

Cost Savings Over Off-the-Shelf Tools

By building the solution in-house, we avoided costly third-party licensing ($10–$30/user/month), making enterprise-grade auditing accessible to clients of all sizes.

Reusable, Scalable Audit Platform

Once developed, the tool was deployed across multiple clients in legal, manufacturing, and public sectors—delivering fast, repeatable value with zero added cost.

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