How to configure context-aware IP restriction policy for Google Workspace

Context-Aware Access is a security feature in Google Workspace that allows administrators to create and enforce granular access policies for their organization's apps and resources. The article describes how to set up an IP address enforcement policy using Context-Aware Access levels.

Purpose and Reason

The primary purpose of using Context-Aware Access with IP address enforcement is to enhance security by restricting access to specific apps based on the user's IP address. This feature is particularly useful for organizations that want to:

1. Ensure that sensitive data and applications are only accessed from trusted networks

2. Comply with data protection regulations that require strict access controls

3. Prevent unauthorized access from potentially compromised or unsecured networks

Setting Up IP Address Enforcement

To create and implement an IP address enforcement policy:

1. Sign in to the Google Admin console

2. Navigate to Security > Access and data control > Context-Aware Access

3. Create a new access level with an appropriate name (e.g., "IP address enforcement")

4. Add an IP subnet attribute to define allowed IP addresses or ranges

5. Assign the access level to specific apps and organizational units

Key Points

- Supported IP Addresses: The policy supports both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, as well as CIDR block notation[1].

- Dynamic IP Addresses: To accommodate dynamic IPs, administrators must define a static IP subnet that covers the expected range[1].

- Application: The policy can be applied to various Google Workspace apps, such as Drive, Docs, Gmail, and Google Chat[1].

- User Experience: Administrators can customize messages users receive when access is blocked, including remediation options and helpful instructions[1].

Implementation Considerations

- Private IP addresses (including home networks) are not supported[1].

- It may take up to 24 hours for access level assignments to propagate for large organizational units[1].

- Administrators should be cautious when assigning access levels to avoid accidentally restricting access to the Admin console[1].

By implementing Context-Aware Access with IP address enforcement, organizations can significantly improve their security posture and maintain better control over who can access their Google Workspace resources and from where.

Citations:

[1] https://support.google.com/a/answer/12642752?hl=en

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