# Cis Gworkspace 3.1.6.2

> Ensure creating groups is restricted

- Skill: `cyberstrikeus/cis-gworkspace-3-1-6-2` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add cyberstrikeus/cis-gworkspace-3-1-6-2`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-gworkspace-3-1-6-2/raw
- Safety review: PASS (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: cyberstrikeus (https://skillmd.com/u/cyberstrikeus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/cyberstrikeus/cis-gworkspace-3-1-6-2

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# 3.1.6.2 Ensure creating groups is restricted

## Level

L1

## Profile Applicability

- Enterprise Level 1

## Type

Manual

## Description

Control who is allowed to create Groups in your organization and if they can have external members.

## Rationale

The organization should have some control over the organizational groups created and the purpose they are for.

## Impact

In a large organization, this may cause too much burden on administrators.

## Audit

To verify this setting via the Google Workspace Admin Console:

1. Log in to `https://admin.google.com` as an administrator
2. Select `Apps`
3. Select `Google Workspace`
4. Select `Groups for Business`
5. Select `Creating groups`
6. Verify `Only organization admins can create groups` is `selected`
7. Verify `Group owners can allow external members Organization admins can always add external members` is `unchecked`
8. Verify `Group owners can allow incoming email from outside the organization` is `unchecked`

## Remediation

To configure this setting via the Google Workspace Admin Console:

1. Log in to `https://admin.google.com` as an administrator
2. Select `Apps`
3. Select `Google Workspace`
4. Select `Groups for Business`
5. Select `Creating groups`
6. Select `Only organization admins can create groups`
7. Set `Group owners can allow external members Organization admins can always add external members` to `unchecked`
8. Set `Group owners can allow incoming email from outside the organization` to `unchecked`
9. Select `Save`

## Default Value

- `Anyone in the organization can create groups` is `selected`
- `Group owners can allow external members Organization admins can always add external members` is `unchecked`
- `Group owners can allow incoming email from outside the organization` is `unchecked`

## CIS Controls

| Controls Version | Control                                               | IG 1 | IG 2 | IG 3 |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | ---- | ---- | ---- |
| v8               | 3.3 Configure Data Access Control Lists               | x    | x    | x    |
| v7               | 14.6 Protect Information through Access Control Lists | x    | x    | x    |

## Profile

Level 1