Workspace Security — Security Checklist
Access management, device security, network controls, and data protection.
1. Governance & Inventory
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Documented Workspace Security PoliciesDo you maintain documented security policies governing workspace operations (device standards, account management, access control)?
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Accountability for Workspace SecurityIs there a clearly designated person or team accountable for workspace security (policy maintenance, reviews)?
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Policy Review and Update ProcessDo you operate a documented review and update process for security policies with defined triggers (incidents, technology updates)?
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Device Ownership and Security StatusDo you maintain an inventory of organizational devices (laptops, phones, tablets) that tracks ownership and critical security status (encryption, OS version)?
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Accounts Inventory and OwnershipDo you maintain an inventory of organizational accounts (email, cloud services, social media, DNS, development tools) with defined ownership?
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Information Classification by SensitivityDo you classify information and systems based on sensitivity and criticality to determine appropriate security controls?
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2. Device Security & Management
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Security Requirements for Company DevicesDo you maintain documented security requirements for company issued devices (encryption, authentication, patching, software restrictions)?
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Device Provisioning and ComplianceDo you have procedures for provisioning devices according to security requirements and verifying ongoing compliance?
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Device Supply Chain SecurityDo you maintain procedures for device procurement through verified supply chains and verification of device integrity upon receipt?
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Device Access Authentication RequirementsDo you enforce authentication requirements for device access (password complexity, timeout settings, lock screens)?
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Administrative Privilege Management on DevicesDo you maintain procedures for managing administrative privileges on devices (separation from daily use accounts, approval processes)?
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Corporate vs Personal Device Usage PoliciesDo you maintain policies distinguishing between corporate and personal device usage with appropriate security controls?
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Remote Device Management for Loss/CompromiseDo you have procedures for remotely managing organizational devices in case of loss or compromise (remote lock/wipe capabilities)?
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2. (cont.)
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Secure Device Decommissioning ProceduresDo you maintain procedures for secure device decommissioning including data sanitization?
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Lost or Stolen Device ProceduresDo you have documented procedures for responding to lost or stolen devices?
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EDR/MDM Deployment and MonitoringDo you maintain endpoint detection and response (EDR) or mobile device management (MDM) solutions on organizational devices with documented deployment and monitoring procedures?
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EDR/MDM Alert Response ProceduresDo you have procedures for responding to EDR/MDM alerts and enforcing compliance with security policies through these platforms?
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Browser and Application SecurityDo you maintain policies for browser and application security (browser isolation, extension approval, external file handling)?
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Physical Workspace SecurityDo you maintain requirements for physical workspace security for both on-site and remote work environments?
3. Account Management & Access Control
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User Account Provisioning LifecycleDo you have procedures for provisioning, modifying, and deprovisioning user accounts with appropriate approvals?
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MFA Enforcement with ExceptionsDo you enforce multi-factor authentication for critical accounts with a documented exceptions process?
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Security Configuration Standards MaintenanceDo you maintain security configuration standards for enterprise platforms (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, collaboration tools)?
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Periodic Access Reviews and RevocationDo you conduct periodic access reviews for corporate systems with documented revocation procedures?
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Organizational Social Media SecurityDo you maintain procedures for securing organizational social media and external service accounts?
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3. (cont.)
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Ownership Verification for External AccountsDo you have procedures for verifying ownership and preventing unauthorized use of organizational external accounts?
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Account Security ControlsDo you maintain policies for account security controls (recovery method restrictions, organizational identity verification)?
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Domain Registration and DNS ManagementDo you maintain security procedures for domain registration and DNS management (registrar lock, change controls)?
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DNS Change Validation and ApprovalDo you have procedures for validating and approving DNS changes with appropriate documentation?
4. Password & Credential Management
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Password Policy Requirements and RotationDo you maintain documented password requirements with risk-based complexity and rotation standards?
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Secure Password Storage and TransmissionDo you have procedures for secure password storage and transmission (password managers, encrypted channels)?
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Credential Rotation Based on RiskDo you maintain procedures for credential rotation based on risk, time intervals, or security events?
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Enhanced Controls for High-Privilege CredentialsDo you have enhanced controls for high-privilege credentials (admin accounts, service accounts, API keys)?
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Account Sharing ProhibitionDo you maintain policies prohibiting credential sharing and requiring individual accounts for accountability?
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5. Development Environment Security
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Evaluation Criteria for Development ToolsDo you maintain criteria for evaluating and approving development tools (IDEs, extensions, libraries, AI assistants)?
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Access Control for Source Code RepositoriesDo you maintain access control procedures for source code repositories with role-based permissions?
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Sensitive Data Exposure Prevention in RepositoriesDo you have procedures for preventing exposure of sensitive information in code repositories?
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Dev Dependencies and Supply Chain ManagementDo you have procedures for managing development dependencies and supply chain risks?
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6. Network & Communication Security
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Secure Network Access ProceduresDo you maintain procedures for secure network access including remote access methods (primarily for organizations with physical offices - if not select N/A)?
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Secure Organizational Communication ChannelsDo you maintain procedures for securing organizational communication channels (email, messaging, collaboration tools)?
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Identity Verification for Sensitive CommunicationsDo you have procedures for verifying identity in sensitive communications to prevent impersonation?
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Employee Travel Security ProceduresDo you maintain security procedures specific to employee travel (device handling, network usage, data access)?
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7. Monitoring & Incident Response
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Workspace Security Incident ResponseDo you maintain procedures for detecting and responding to workspace security incidents (account takeovers, data leaks, device compromise)?
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Workspace Incident Response ProceduresDo you have documented response procedures for different types of workspace security incidents?
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8. Employee Lifecycle & Training
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Security Onboarding: Provisioning and TrainingDo you maintain security onboarding procedures including device provisioning, account creation, and initial training?
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Pre-Access Identity and Authorization VerificationDo you have procedures for verifying employee identity and authorization before granting access?
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Workspace Security Awareness Program UpdatesDo you maintain a security awareness program covering workspace security topics with regular updates?
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Phishing and Social Engineering TestingDo you conduct regular phishing simulations and social engineering awareness exercises with follow-up training for personnel who fail?
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8. (cont.)
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Offboarding Procedures: Access Revocation and ReturnDo you maintain comprehensive offboarding procedures including access revocation, device return, and credential rotation?
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Adjusting Access Rights on Role ChangeDo you maintain procedures for adjusting access rights when employees change roles?
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Periodic Review of Access PermissionsDo you conduct periodic reviews to identify and remove unnecessary access permissions?
9. Insider Threat & Third-Party Access
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Insider Threat AssessmentDo you conduct insider threat assessments to identify potential damage scenarios and ensure access is minimized for each role?
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Third-Party Access ManagementDo you maintain procedures for managing third-party access (time-limits, purpose-specific permissions, audit trails)?
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