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Deploying or hardening a Google Workspace environment for enterprise use
CIS benchmark compliance assessment for Google Workspace configuration
Protecting against business email compromise (BEC) and phishing attacks targeting Google accounts
Implementing Data Loss Prevention controls for Gmail and Google Drive
Restricting OAuth application access and third-party integrations
Configuring admin account security with Advanced Protection Program enrollment
Do not use for Microsoft 365 environments; Google Workspace has distinct admin console settings and API configurations that differ from Azure AD/Entra ID controls.
Prerequisites
Google Workspace Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, or Enterprise Plus license
Super Admin access to the Google Admin Console (admin.google.com)
DNS management access for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC record configuration
Google Cloud Identity or Cloud Identity Premium for advanced security features
FIDO2 security keys for super admin accounts (YubiKey 5 Series recommended)
Workflow
Step 1: Harden Super Admin Accounts
Secure the highest-privilege accounts in the Google Workspace tenant:
# Google Workspace Admin SDK - configure admin account security# Using gam (Google Apps Manager) CLI tool# List all super admin accounts for audit
gam print admins role "Super Admin" > super_admins.csv
echo"Review and minimize super admin count (recommended: 2-3 maximum)"# Enforce Advanced Protection Program for super admins# APP provides strongest account protections:# - Requires FIDO2 security key for sign-in# - Blocks third-party app access to Gmail and Drive# - Enhanced account recovery verification
gam update user superadmin@corp.com \
advanced_protection true# Create dedicated break-glass admin account
gam create user breakglass-admin@corp.com \
firstname "Break" lastname "Glass Admin" \
password "" \
changepassword \
org
gam create admin breakglass-admin@corp.com
> admin_alert_policy.json <<
{
: [
{
: ,
: {
: ,
:
},
: {
: [],
:
}
},
{
: ,
: {
:
},
: {
: []
}
}
]
}
EOF
$(openssl rand -base64 32)
true
"/Emergency Accounts"
# Assign super admin role to break-glass account
"Super Admin"
# Configure admin activity alerts
# Alert Center API - create alert for admin actions
Google's strongest account security requiring FIDO2 security keys, blocking third-party app access, and enhanced identity verification for account recovery
Context-Aware Access
Security policy framework that evaluates device posture, location, and user identity before granting access to Google Workspace applications
DMARC
Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance protocol that prevents email domain spoofing by validating SPF and DKIM alignment
DLP Rule
Data Loss Prevention policy that scans content in Gmail, Drive, and Chat for sensitive data patterns and triggers block, quarantine, or warn actions
OAuth App Allowlisting
Admin control restricting which third-party applications can access organizational data through Google OAuth API scopes
2-Step Verification (2SV)
Google's multi-factor authentication implementation supporting security keys, phone prompts, TOTP, and backup codes as second factors
Tools & Systems
Google Admin Console: Web-based administration portal for managing all Google Workspace security settings, users, and organizational units
GAM (Google Apps Manager): Open-source command-line tool for bulk Google Workspace administration and automation
Google Workspace Alert Center: Centralized dashboard for security alerts including suspicious login activity, DLP violations, and device compromise
Google BeyondCorp Enterprise: Zero-trust access solution integrated with Google Workspace for context-aware access policies
Common Scenarios
Scenario: Securing a Newly Acquired Google Workspace Tenant
Context: Post-acquisition security audit reveals the acquired company's Google Workspace has no MFA enforcement, open external sharing, no DLP policies, and multiple unauthorized OAuth applications accessing user data.
Approach:
Immediately enforce 2SV for all super admin accounts using FIDO2 security keys
Reduce super admin count to 3 (primary, secondary, break-glass)
Deploy SPF, DKIM, and DMARC starting with monitoring mode (p=none)
Enable all anti-phishing and anti-spoofing settings in Email Safety
Audit and revoke all unauthorized OAuth application tokens
Set third-party app access to blocked with allowlist of approved applications
Restrict external Drive sharing to approved partner domains only
Deploy DLP rules for PII, financial data, and confidential documents
Enable context-aware access requiring managed devices for sensitive applications
Configure security alerts and SIEM integration for ongoing monitoring
Pitfalls:
Enforcing MFA without enrollment grace period locks users out of accounts
Setting DMARC to reject before monitoring period causes legitimate email delivery failures
Blocking all OAuth apps without identifying business-critical integrations disrupts workflows
Not auditing existing external shares before restricting sharing leaves data exposed
