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Google Workspace NIST/FedRAMP Controls Testing Guide

Overview

This section provides comprehensive testing guidance for NIST and FedRAMP security controls specifically tailored for Google Workspace environments. These guides help assessors, security teams, and administrators validate compliance and security implementations across Google Workspace services.

Google Workspace Services Covered

  • Gmail: Email security, data loss prevention, and communication controls
  • Google Drive: Document security, sharing controls, and data protection
  • Google Meet: Video conferencing security and privacy controls
  • Google Calendar: Scheduling security and information sharing
  • Google Admin Console: Administrative controls and policy management
  • Google Vault: eDiscovery, retention, and legal hold capabilities
  • Google Cloud Identity: Identity and access management

Control Testing Guides

Access Control (AC) - Coming Soon

Comprehensive testing procedures for: - User access provisioning and deprovisioning - Role-based access control (RBAC) implementation - Organizational unit (OU) based policies - Guest and external user access controls - Mobile device access restrictions

Identity and Authentication (IA) - Coming Soon

Testing methodologies for: - Multi-factor authentication (MFA) enforcement - Single Sign-On (SSO) configuration - Password policies and complexity requirements - Session management and timeout controls - Certificate-based authentication

Data Protection (SC/MP) - Coming Soon

Validation procedures for: - Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies - Email encryption and S/MIME - Drive encryption and sharing restrictions - Information Rights Management (IRM) - Mobile device management (MDM)

Audit and Accountability (AU) - Coming Soon

Assessment guides for: - Admin audit logs configuration - User activity monitoring - Login and access reports - Alert policies and notifications - Log retention and export

Configuration Management (CM) - Coming Soon

Testing procedures for: - Security baselines and hardening - Change management processes - Group policies and settings - API access controls - Third-party app management

Quick Reference

Essential Admin Console Locations

Control Area Admin Console Path
User Management Directory > Users
Security Settings Security > Security Center
Device Management Devices > Mobile & Endpoints
Audit Logs Reports > Audit Log
DLP Rules Security > Data Protection
Authentication Security > Authentication

Key APIs for Automation

# Example: List users with admin privileges
from googleapiclient.discovery import build
from google.oauth2 import service_account

# Initialize the Admin SDK Directory API
service = build('admin', 'directory_v1', credentials=creds)

# List all admin users
results = service.users().list(
    customer='my_customer',
    query='isAdmin=true',
    orderBy='email'
).execute()

Common Compliance Checks

  1. MFA Enforcement Status 

    Admin Console > Security > Authentication > 2-Step Verification

  2. Password Policy Compliance 

    Admin Console > Security > Authentication > Password Management

  3. External Sharing Settings 

    Admin Console > Apps > Google Workspace > Drive > Sharing Settings

  4. Mobile Device Requirements 

    Admin Console > Devices > Mobile & Endpoints > Settings

Best Practices

Preparation Checklist

  • Obtain Super Admin access or appropriate delegated admin roles
  • Review organizational structure and OU hierarchy
  • Document current security policies and exceptions
  • Enable comprehensive audit logging before testing
  • Create test accounts for validation procedures

Testing Considerations

  • Always test in a controlled manner to avoid service disruption
  • Be aware of propagation delays for policy changes (up to 24 hours)
  • Consider the impact on end users when modifying settings
  • Document all changes made during testing for rollback purposes

Integration with GCP

Many organizations use both Google Workspace and GCP. Key integration points for testing:

  • Cloud Identity: Unified identity management
  • Context-Aware Access: Combined access policies
  • Security Command Center: Centralized security monitoring
  • Cloud Logging: Aggregated audit logs

Tools and Resources

Google-Provided Tools

Third-Party Assessment Tools

  • BeyondCorp Enterprise assessment tools
  • Workspace security scanners
  • Compliance automation platforms

Roadmap

  • Q2 2025: Access Control (AC) Testing Guide
  • Q2 2025: Identity & Authentication (IA) Testing Guide
  • Q3 2025: Data Protection Testing Guide
  • Q3 2025: Audit & Accountability Testing Guide
  • Q4 2025: Automated testing scripts and tools

Getting Help

For questions about Google Workspace security controls: - Google Workspace Admin Help - Google Workspace Security Center - Google Cloud Customer Care