Google joins forces with Dropbox and other organizations to develop easy to use open source security tools

Today, Google, Dropbox and the Open Technology Fund announced Simple Secure, a new non-profit organization focused on making open source security tools easier to use. The group recognizes that several effective consumer-focused security options currently exist, however it also points out that these platforms have poor adoption rates because they’re too confusing for people to use. Stating that security measures like two-factor authentication are often avoided and viewed as a hassle.

The newly formed alliance pointed to examples like a recent celebrity photo leak that revealed private pictures of several entertainers, and the Edward Snowden NSA scandal as important reasons for improved security technologies. Under the direction of Sara Sinclair Brody, the organization will work with the open source community to develop tools that are easy for casual tech users to operate.

“We believe that security shouldn’t come at the expense of simplicity or design, and you shouldn’t have to be a tech expert to stay protected online, wrote Dropbox security engineer Devdatta Akhawe in a blog post. “We’re proud to play a part in helping get Simply Secure off the ground.”

While we’re confident that the talents at Simple Secure will come up with several new security methods, the group will have to find ways to get companies to use them. Two-factor authentication is an effective security feature, however the newly formed organization recognizes that it’s often seen as inconvenient. Simple Secure’s biggest challenge will be creating new security tech that appeals to the masses.