Google Workspace vs ShieldBox
for Government & Public Sector
in Australia
Government agencies and contractors cannot use Google Workspace for OFFICIAL: Sensitive communications. See why Australian government entities are switching to ShieldBox for PSPF and ASD Essential Eight compliance.
Google Workspace stores Australian business email in the US and Singapore. Every email sent is an ongoing APP 8 cross-border disclosure under the Privacy Act 1988. No ASD Essential Eight alignment available.
Key Risks for Government & Public Sector
Using Google Workspace
Compliance Obligations for Government & Public Sector
Why Google Workspace cannot satisfy the compliance requirements of Australian government & public sector.
Google Workspace is a USA-based service subject to USA law. PSPF mandates Australian data residency and ASD Essential Eight compliance for email systems handling OFFICIAL: Sensitive and PROTECTED information. Google Workspace cannot satisfy these requirements.
Google Workspace does not meet ASD Essential Eight standards for Australian government email. ASD Essential Eight compliance is required for email systems handling OFFICIAL: Sensitive and PROTECTED information. ShieldBox is built to ASD Essential Eight Maturity Level 2.
Google Workspace is subject to USA law. US CLOUD Act (or equivalent) allows authorities to compel access to government data stored anywhere in the world — including in Australian data centres. This is incompatible with PSPF requirements.
Google Workspace does not provide the ASD Essential Eight Maturity Level 2-3 controls required for government email — including DMARC enforcement, phishing-resistant MFA, and 7-year audit logging.
Why ShieldBox Wins for Government & Public Sector
ShieldBox is purpose-built for Australian government use — satisfying PSPF, ISM, and ASD Essential Eight requirements that Google Workspace cannot meet, with full Australian data sovereignty.
Google Workspace vs ShieldBox for Government & Public Sector — FAQs
Can Australian government agencies use Google Workspace?
No. Google Workspace is a USA-based service subject to USA law. PSPF mandates Australian data residency and ASD Essential Eight compliance for email systems handling OFFICIAL: Sensitive and PROTECTED information. Google Workspace cannot satisfy these requirements. ShieldBox is built to ASD Essential Eight Maturity Level 2.
Does Google Workspace meet ASD Essential Eight standards for Australian government use?
No. Google Workspace does not meet ASD Essential Eight standards for Australian government email. ASD Essential Eight compliance is required for email systems handling OFFICIAL: Sensitive and PROTECTED information under the PSPF. ShieldBox is purpose-built for Australian government compliance.
What ASD Essential Eight maturity level does Google Workspace support?
Google Workspace does not provide the ASD Essential Eight Maturity Level 2-3 controls required for government email. ShieldBox includes DMARC enforcement, phishing-resistant MFA, and 7-year audit logging as standard — supporting Maturity Level 2-3 implementation.
Why are Australian government agencies switching from Google Workspace to ShieldBox?
Australian government agencies are switching from Google Workspace to ShieldBox to satisfy PSPF data sovereignty requirements, meet ASD Essential Eight obligations, and achieve Maturity Level 2-3. ShieldBox is purpose-built for Australian government compliance with full data sovereignty.
Switch from Google Workspace to ShieldBox
Start for free — no credit card, no US servers, no CLOUD Act exposure. Built for Australian government & public sector.