Cis Gworkspace 3.1.3.7.2

Ensure 'Send email over a secure TLS connection' Is Enabled (Manual)

Description

The default is that Gmail always tries to send messages over a secure TLS connection. If the receiving server doesn't use TLS, Gmail still sends messages with TLS but the connection isn't secure.

This setting allows the option to require a CA-signed certificate, verify the hostname associated with the certificate, and test the TLS connection.

A padlock image will appear next to the recipient address if the message will be sent with TLS. The padlock shows only for accounts with a Google Workspace subscription that supports S/MIME encryption.

Google Workspace supports TLS versions 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3.

Rationale

Transport Layer Security (TLS) encrypts email messages for security and privacy and prevents unauthorized access of messages when they're sent over internet connections.

Impact

This should not have an impact on the usage of Gmail.

Audit Procedure

Using Google Workspace Admin Console

1. Log in to https://admin.google.com as an administrator
2. Select Apps
3. Select Google Workspace
4. Select Gmail
5. Select Compliance
6. Under Secure transport (TLS) compliance, select Configure
7. Under Email messages to affect ensure Inbound - all messages and Outbound - all messages are ON

Expected Result

Both Inbound - all messages and Outbound - all messages should be ON under Secure transport (TLS) compliance.

Remediation

Using Google Workspace Admin Console

1. Log in to https://admin.google.com as an administrator
2. Select Apps
3. Select Google Workspace
4. Select Gmail
5. Select Compliance
6. Select Secure transport (TLS) compliance
7. Select Configure
8. Set Inbound - all messages and Outbound - all messages to checked
9. Select Save

Note: Enabling the Inbound - all messages and Outbound - all messages configurations will also, by default, enable Require CA-signed certificate when delivering outbound messages to the TLS-enabled domains specified above. This is not a required configuration, but it is recommended.

Default Value

This setting is not configured by default.

References

1. https://support.google.com/a/answer/2520500

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