cis-gworkspace-4-1-2-2

name	cis-gworkspace-4.1.2.2
description	Ensure User account recovery is enabled
category	cis-gworkspace
version	1.3.0
author	cyberstrike-official
tags	["cis","gcp","google-workspace","security","account-recovery","authentication"]
cis_id	4.1.2.2
cis_benchmark	CIS Google Workspace Foundations Benchmark v1.3.0
tech_stack	["gcp","google-workspace"]
cwe_ids	[]
chains_with	[]
prerequisites	[]
severity_boost	{}

4.1.2.2 Ensure User account recovery is enabled

Profile Applicability

• Enterprise Level 1

Description

This option allows non-Super Admin users to recover access to their accounts if their password has been forgotten.

The option is not available if either Single Sign On or Password Sync is in use.

Rationale

Allowing users to recover access to their accounts when they have forgotten their passwords reduces the number of support tickets generated by users, and reduces the amount of down time spent waiting on the account recovery process to initiate and complete.

Impact

The potential impact to users being allowed to recover their accounts includes:

1. The user is now empowered to reset their passwords.
2. The user will no longer need to call a helpdesk or open a support ticket to regain access to their account.

An organization that allows users to recover their account will realize less time spent by administrative staff working on these tasks.

Audit

To verify this setting via the Google Workspace Admin Console:

1. Log in to https://admin.google.com as an administrator.
2. Select Security.
3. Select User account recovery
4. Verify Allow users and non-super admins to recover their account is checked.

Remediation

To configure this setting via the Google Workspace Admin Console:

1. Log in to https://admin.google.com as an administrator.
2. Select Security.
3. Select User account recovery
4. Select either the pencil icon or the setting itself.
5. Set Allow users and non-super admins to recover their account to checked.
6. Select Save.

Default Value

Allow users and non-super admins to recover their account is OFF