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Google Workspace Security Implementation Checklists¶

This document provides comprehensive security implementation checklists for Google Workspace environments. These checklists are designed to help organizations systematically implement security controls across different maturity levels.

How to Use These Checklists¶

Assess your current state: Review each checklist to identify controls already in place
Prioritize gaps: Focus on missing controls that represent the most critical security gaps
Create implementation plans: Develop timelines and resource allocations for addressing gaps
Document exceptions: Record any controls that cannot be implemented with appropriate justification
Validate implementation: Verify that controls are functioning as intended
Regular review: Revisit checklists quarterly to ensure continued compliance

Essential Security Controls¶

These controls represent the minimum security requirements recommended for all Google Workspace environments.

Account Security¶

MFA enforcement: Enable 2-Step Verification for all user accounts
Strong password requirements: Set minimum 12-character password length
Password breach detection: Enable Google's password breach detection
User lifecycle management: Implement procedures for user onboarding/offboarding
Recovery methods verification: Require recovery email/phone verification
Authentication alerting: Set up alerts for suspicious login attempts
Password reuse prevention: Enable password history enforcement
Advanced Protection Program: Implement for admin and high-risk accounts
Consumer account separation: Separate organizational and personal accounts

Administrative Control¶

Admin role separation: Implement separation of duties for admin functions
Super admin protection: Secure super admin accounts with hardware keys
Admin access logging: Enable comprehensive logging of admin actions
Emergency access procedure: Document break-glass procedures for admin access
Admin account inventory: Maintain inventory of all administrative accounts
Privileged access reviews: Conduct quarterly admin privilege reviews
Admin account delegation: Restrict admin delegation to authorized personnel
Service account governance: Implement controls for service account creation and use
Admin training: Ensure administrators receive security training

Data Protection¶

DLP for Gmail: Implement DLP rules for sensitive content in emails
DLP for Drive: Configure DLP scanning for documents
External sharing restrictions: Set appropriate limits on external sharing
Link sharing defaults: Configure restrictive defaults for link sharing
Drive sharing alerting: Monitor for unusual sharing patterns
Information Rights Management: Enable for sensitive documents
Data retention policies: Implement appropriate retention rules
Drive audit logging: Enable comprehensive Drive activity logging
Gmail content compliance: Configure content compliance rules

Access Control¶

Organizational unit structure: Implement logical OU structure for access control
Group-based access: Utilize groups for access management
External access review: Regular review of external user access
Mobile device management: Implement basic MDM controls
Access request workflow: Document process for access requests and approvals
Third-party application review: Process for evaluating third-party applications
Context-aware access: Configure basic rules for suspicious login detection
Inactive account handling: Disable accounts inactive for 90+ days
Guest user restrictions: Configure appropriate access for guest users

Security Monitoring¶

Security alert configuration: Set up critical security alerts
Login anomaly detection: Monitor for unusual login patterns
Admin activity review: Process for reviewing admin console activities
Audit log retention: Configure appropriate log retention periods
Security dashboard review: Regular review of security dashboard
Security health review: Regular review of security health recommendations
External access monitoring: Monitor for unusual external access patterns
DLP violation response: Process for responding to DLP violations
Regular security posture assessment: Quarterly review of security settings

Email Security¶

SPF records: Configure and maintain valid SPF records
DKIM implementation: Enable DKIM signing for all domains
DMARC configuration: Implement DMARC with appropriate policy
External email warning: Enable warnings for emails from outside organization
Attachment scanning: Enable enhanced attachment scanning
Phishing and malware protection: Enable Google's enhanced protections
Suspicious link warnings: Enable warnings for suspicious links
Email routing rules: Review and secure email routing configurations
Email security groups: Configure groups for email security announcements

Endpoint Security¶

Device inventory: Maintain inventory of all managed devices
Basic device policies: Implement screen lock and encryption requirements
Approved device types: Define approved device types for access
Mobile device wipe capability: Enable remote wipe functionality
Account security on devices: Ensure proper account security on mobile devices
Chrome security settings: Configure basic Chrome security settings
Device access monitoring: Monitor for access from unknown devices
Device trust validation: Implement basic device trust validation
Auto-update requirements: Enforce automatic updates where possible

Incident Response¶

Security incident plan: Document basic security incident response procedures
Account compromise playbook: Specific procedure for account compromise
Response team contacts: Document security response team contacts
Escalation procedures: Define escalation paths for security incidents
Communication templates: Prepare templates for security incident communications
Investigation process: Document process for security investigations
Evidence preservation: Procedures for preserving evidence during incidents
Third-party contact information: Maintain contacts for external response support
Post-incident review: Process for reviewing and learning from incidents

Advanced Security Controls¶

These controls represent enhanced protection recommended for sensitive environments or organizations with higher security requirements.

Advanced Identity Protection¶

Hardware security keys: Require physical security keys for authentication
Conditional access policies: Implement risk-based access conditions
Session duration controls: Configure appropriate session timeouts
Authentication strength by resource: Vary authentication requirements by resource sensitivity
Continuous authentication: Implement reauthentication for sensitive actions
Identity threat detection: Deploy advanced identity threat detection
On-device credentials: Utilize on-device secure credentials where possible
Custom password strength: Implement advanced custom password requirements
Biometric validation: Utilize biometric factors where supported

Enhanced Administrative Security¶

Tiered admin access: Implement tiered administrative access model
Admin session monitoring: Real-time monitoring of administrative sessions
Privileged access workstations: Dedicate secure devices for administration
Just-in-time admin access: Enable temporary access for administrative tasks
Admin activity correlation: Correlate admin activities across services
Administrative approval workflows: Multi-person approval for sensitive changes
Separation of duties enforcement: Technical controls for separation of duties
Advanced admin alerting: Sophisticated alerting on admin behavior anomalies
Privilege escalation monitoring: Detection of unauthorized privilege escalation

Advanced Data Protection¶

Customer-managed encryption keys: Implement CMEK for critical data
Advanced DLP with context: Context-aware DLP rules with machine learning
Automated data classification: Auto-classification of sensitive documents
Data access governance: Comprehensive data access governance program
Content inspection API integration: Custom content inspection for specialized data
Third-party DLP integration: Integration with specialized DLP solutions
Behavioral DLP: DLP based on user behavior patterns
Cross-platform data correlation: Track data across multiple platforms
Data access anomaly detection: ML-based detection of unusual access patterns

Zero Trust Implementation¶

Device trust integration: Comprehensive device trust verification
Context-aware access policies: Granular access policies based on context
Continuous authorization: Regular revalidation of access permissions
BeyondCorp implementation: Full implementation of BeyondCorp principles
Micro-segmentation: Granular access controls based on data sensitivity
Risk-based authentication: Authentication requirements based on risk score
VPA (Virtual Private Access): Implement for sensitive application access
Zero implicit trust: Remove all implicit trust assumptions
Continuous validation: Ongoing validation of user and device state

Advanced Monitoring and Analytics¶

Security information and event management: SIEM integration
User behavior analytics: Advanced UBA for anomaly detection
Advanced threat hunting: Proactive threat hunting capability
Machine learning detection: ML-based detection of suspicious patterns
Cross-platform security correlation: Connect signals across security systems
Custom security dashboards: Tailored dashboards for security posture visibility
Automated investigation workflows: Automation of common investigation tasks
Log centralization and analysis: Central repository for comprehensive analysis
Threat intelligence integration: Incorporation of threat intelligence feeds

Advanced Email Security¶

Third-party email security gateway: Enhanced email filtering and protection
Business email compromise protection: Advanced BEC detection
Custom phishing simulations: Regular targeted phishing training exercises
Executive email protection: Special protection for executive accounts
Email authentication monitoring: Continuous monitoring of email authentication
Partner email security verification: Validation of partner email security posture
Email security analytics: Advanced analytics for email threat patterns
Secure email collaboration: Enhanced security for external email collaboration
Email DLP with contextual awareness: Context-aware DLP for email communications

Advanced Endpoint Security¶

Endpoint detection and response: Deploy EDR solutions
Application allowlisting: Implement application control
Advanced device attestation: Strong device integrity verification
OS security baseline enforcement: Enforce security baselines for all OSes
Hardware-backed security: Utilize hardware security features
Endpoint isolation capability: Ability to isolate compromised endpoints
Advanced mobile threat defense: Deploy MTD solutions
Secure boot verification: Verify secure boot on endpoints
Firmware integrity validation: Ensure firmware integrity on endpoints

Advanced Incident Response¶

Security orchestration and automation: Implement SOAR capabilities
Digital forensics capability: Advanced digital forensics tools and processes
Tabletop exercises: Regular incident response exercises
Threat hunting integration: Connect threat hunting with incident response
Cross-functional response teams: Comprehensive IR team structure
External IR support arrangements: Pre-arranged external incident response support
Advanced containment strategies: Sophisticated incident containment capabilities
Adversary emulation exercises: Red team exercises to test response
Continuous IR improvement: Program for ongoing IR capability enhancement

MSP Client Onboarding Checklist¶

This checklist is designed specifically for MSPs to ensure secure onboarding of new Google Workspace clients.

Pre-Deployment Assessment¶

Security requirements gathering: Document client security requirements
Compliance needs assessment: Identify regulatory and compliance requirements
Existing security posture evaluation: Assess current security state
Risk assessment: Identify critical assets and threats
Technical environment assessment: Document technical environment details
Security stakeholder identification: Identify key security contacts
Current security tool inventory: Document existing security technologies
Security process documentation: Gather existing security process information
Security incident history review: Understand previous security incidents

Secure Deployment Planning¶

Security tier assignment: Assign appropriate security service tier
OU design for security: Design OU structure for security requirements
Authentication strategy: Document authentication approach
Admin accounts planning: Plan administrative account structure
Security groups design: Design security-related groups
Data protection strategy: Develop data protection approach
Email security planning: Plan email security configuration
Mobile device approach: Design mobile device security strategy
Migration security: Address security during migration phase

Initial Security Configuration¶

Default security settings: Apply baseline security settings
Initial admin accounts: Create secure administrative accounts
MFA deployment plan: Develop MFA rollout approach
Password policy configuration: Set password requirements
Email security baseline: Apply basic email security settings
Drive security baseline: Configure basic Drive security
Mobile device baseline: Set up basic mobile device management
Alert configuration: Configure critical security alerts
Delegated administration: Configure MSP delegated admin access

Advanced Security Implementation¶

Tiered security deployment: Implement security controls by tier
DLP configuration: Deploy appropriate DLP controls
Context-aware access: Configure context-aware access policies
Advanced endpoint management: Implement enhanced device controls
Third-party security integration: Connect complementary security tools
SIEM integration: Configure security log exports
Custom security dashboards: Create client-specific security dashboards
Advanced alert configuration: Set up comprehensive alerting
Security automation deployment: Implement security automations

Governance and Documentation¶

Security policies documentation: Document all security policies
Admin procedures: Document administrative procedures
Security responsibilities matrix: Define security responsibility assignments
Escalation procedures: Document security escalation paths
Regular review schedule: Set schedule for security reviews
Compliance documentation: Prepare compliance documentation
Security training materials: Develop client-specific training
Security reporting templates: Create security reporting formats
Continuous improvement plan: Document approach for ongoing security enhancement

Client Training and Handover¶

Admin security training: Conduct training for client administrators
End-user security awareness: Provide end-user security materials
Security dashboard review: Train on security dashboard use
Alert response training: Educate on alert response procedures
Security reporting review: Explain security reporting
Incident response procedures: Review incident response processes
Escalation contacts: Confirm escalation contacts
Ongoing security engagement: Set expectations for security reviews
Documentation handover: Provide all security documentation

Operational Security¶

Security monitoring activation: Begin active security monitoring
First security review scheduling: Schedule initial security review
Security improvement tracking: Establish improvement tracking
Phishing simulation planning: Schedule phishing simulations
Regular security assessment: Plan regular security assessments
Update management process: Confirm update management procedure
Security incident tests: Schedule incident response testing
Admin account reviews: Set up admin account review schedule
Security metrics tracking: Begin tracking security metrics

Resources¶

Note: These checklists should be adapted to your organization's specific needs and risk profile. Not all controls may be applicable to every environment.