Not All Google Workspace Plans Are Equal Which Google Workspace Edition Do Defense Contractors Need for CMMC Level 1?
Google Workspace Business plans lack critical security features required for CMMC compliance. Learn which edition you actually need and why upgrading is essential.
A small aerospace subcontractor reached out after their prime contractor asked for proof of CMMC Level 1 compliance. They'd been using Google Workspace for three years and genuinely believed they were secure—after all, they had email encryption, cloud storage, and multi-factor authentication enabled.
When I asked which Google Workspace plan they had, there was a pause. "I think it's the Business one? We pay about $12 per person each month."
That's when I had to explain that Google Workspace has multiple "Business" plans, and the features vary dramatically. They were on Business Standard, which seemed like the logical middle-tier choice. What they didn't realize was that several security features essential for CMMC—Context-Aware Access, advanced endpoint management, and Google Vault—simply don't exist in any of the Business editions, regardless of price.
"So we need to start over?" they asked. Not quite—but they did need to upgrade to Enterprise Standard, reconfigure their security settings, and document everything properly. The platform they'd been using for years could do what they needed, but only if they had the right edition.
⚠️ CRITICAL: Google Workspace Business Plans Cannot Meet CMMC Requirements
If you're using Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, or Business Plus, you cannot achieve CMMC Level 1 compliance.
These plans lack essential security capabilities:
- ❌ No Context-Aware Access – Cannot enforce granular access controls based on user context and device security
- ❌ Limited Endpoint Management – Cannot fully manage and secure all devices accessing FCI
- ❌ No Google Vault (Starter/Standard only) – Cannot properly retain and audit email/file access
- ❌ Insufficient DLP (Starter/Standard only) – Cannot prevent unauthorized data sharing
You must upgrade to Google Workspace Enterprise Standard ($20/user/month) or Enterprise Plus ($30/user/month) to meet CMMC Level 1 requirements.
1. The Quick Answer
✅ Which Google Workspace Edition Do I Need?
For CMMC Level 1 compliance, you need:
- Minimum: Google Workspace Enterprise Standard ($20/user/month annual commitment)
- Recommended for enhanced security: Google Workspace Enterprise Plus ($30/user/month annual commitment)
These plans will NOT work:
- ❌ Business Starter ($6/user/month)
- ❌ Business Standard ($12/user/month)
- ❌ Business Plus ($18/user/month)
No exceptions. The security features required for CMMC Level 1 are only available in Enterprise editions.
If you're currently on a Business plan and pursuing defense contracts, you must upgrade to Enterprise Standard or Plus before you can achieve CMMC compliance. The good news: unlike Microsoft 365's reseller problem, all Google Workspace plans are purchased directly from Google with full administrative access. The limitation is purely feature-based—and fixable with an upgrade.
2. What CMMC Level 1 Requires from Google Workspace
CMMC Level 1 focuses on protecting Federal Contract Information (FCI) through 17 security practices across 6 domains. Your cloud platform must support specific security capabilities:
Required Platform Capabilities for CMMC Level 1:
- Device Management & Security – Control all devices accessing federal data, enforce security policies, remotely wipe compromised devices
- Advanced Access Controls – Enforce granular access policies based on user identity, device security status, location, and context
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP) – Prevent unauthorized sharing or exfiltration of sensitive information via email, Drive, or other apps
- Comprehensive Audit Logging – Track all access to and modifications of FCI with retention for compliance reporting
- Email & File Retention – Implement legal holds and eDiscovery capabilities
- Encryption – Protect data in transit and at rest
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Require additional authentication beyond passwords
- Security Monitoring – Detect and respond to potential security threats
Here's the critical insight many contractors miss: Google Workspace offers these capabilities, but only in specific editions. The "Business" tier plans are designed for small businesses without regulatory compliance requirements. They lack the enterprise security stack defense contractors need.
3. Why Business Plans Don't Work for CMMC
Let's examine each Business plan and identify the specific compliance gaps:
Business Starter ($6/user/month)
❌ Missing Critical Features:
- No Context-Aware Access – Cannot implement granular access policies required for AC.L1-3.1.1 and AC.L1-3.1.2
- No Advanced Endpoint Management – Limited device control, cannot fully enforce security policies
- No Google Vault – Cannot properly retain emails or implement legal holds (AU.L1-3.3.1, AU.L1-3.3.2)
- No Data Loss Prevention – Cannot prevent unauthorized data sharing (SC.L1-3.13.5)
- No Security Center – Insufficient security monitoring and alerting
- Limited Storage – Only 30GB per user
Verdict: Completely insufficient for CMMC Level 1 compliance.
Business Standard ($12/user/month)
❌ Still Missing Critical Features:
- No Context-Aware Access – Same access control limitations as Starter
- No Advanced Endpoint Management – Device management still limited
- No Google Vault – Still cannot properly retain and audit communications
- No Data Loss Prevention – Data leakage prevention unavailable
- No Security Center – Limited security visibility
- Better storage (2TB) but security gaps remain
Verdict: Despite costing 2x more than Starter, still cannot meet CMMC requirements.
Business Plus ($18/user/month)
❌ Closer, But Still Missing Key Features:
Has some compliance features:
- ✓ Google Vault (email & file retention)
- ✓ Data Loss Prevention
- ✓ 5TB storage per user
Still missing critical requirements:
- No Context-Aware Access – This is the deal-breaker for CMMC compliance
- Limited Endpoint Management – Cannot fully enforce device security policies
- No Security Center – Inadequate security monitoring
Verdict: Temptingly close at only $2/user/month less than Enterprise Standard, but Context-Aware Access is non-negotiable for CMMC Level 1. Don't make this expensive mistake.
💡 Why Context-Aware Access Is Non-Negotiable:
CMMC Level 1 practices AC.L1-3.1.1 and AC.L1-3.1.2 require you to "limit information system access to authorized users" and "limit information system access to the types of transactions and functions that authorized users are permitted to execute."
Context-Aware Access lets you enforce policies like: "Allow access to FCI only from managed devices with updated security patches, only during business hours, only from approved locations." Without it, you cannot properly implement these access controls—and your CMMC assessment will fail.
4. Google Workspace Enterprise Standard (The Minimum for CMMC)
Price: $20/user/month (annual commitment required)
✅ What Makes Enterprise Standard CMMC-Compliant:
- Context-Aware Access – Enforce access policies based on user identity, device security, location, and IP address
- Advanced Endpoint Management – Full device management with policy enforcement, remote wipe, and security status monitoring
- Google Vault – Comprehensive email and file retention with eDiscovery and legal hold capabilities
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP) – Prevent sensitive data leakage across Gmail, Drive, and other Google apps
- Security Center – Centralized security monitoring, threat detection, and analytics dashboard
- Advanced Protection Program – Enhanced phishing and malware protection for high-risk users
- Audit Logging – Comprehensive activity logs for compliance reporting
- 2TB Storage per User – Adequate for most defense contractors
- Admin Console – Full administrative control over all security policies and settings
Why Enterprise Standard Works for Most Defense Contractors:
- Complete CMMC Level 1 Coverage – Includes all required security capabilities
- Cost-Effective – Only $2/user/month more than Business Plus (which doesn't work)
- Scalable – Suitable for contractors with 5-500 employees
- Direct from Google – Full admin access, no reseller limitations
- Simple Licensing – All users on the same edition, no confusion
Enterprise Standard Limitations:
- No advanced threat protection – Basic security monitoring only (upgrade to Plus for enhanced protection)
- 2TB storage limit – May be insufficient for document-heavy workflows (upgrade to Plus for 5TB)
- No advanced security controls – Some enterprise security features require Plus edition
🎯 Overwatch Tools Recommendation:
For most small defense contractors (5-50 employees), Google Workspace Enterprise Standard is the optimal choice. It provides all required CMMC Level 1 security capabilities at a reasonable price point ($240/year per user). Unless you're handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or planning for CMMC Level 2, Enterprise Standard offers the best value.
5. Google Workspace Enterprise Plus (Enhanced Security)
Price: $30/user/month (annual commitment required)
✅ What Enterprise Plus Adds Beyond Enterprise Standard:
- Enhanced Security Features – Advanced threat protection and security analytics
- 5TB Storage per User – 2.5x more than Enterprise Standard
- Advanced DLP – More sophisticated data loss prevention rules and monitoring
- Insider Risk Management – Additional tools for detecting insider threats
- Enhanced Security Center – More detailed security insights and recommendations
- BigQuery Export – Export audit logs for advanced analysis
- Assured Controls – Additional compliance certifications and data sovereignty controls
When to Choose Enterprise Plus:
- You're handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) requiring CMMC Level 2
- You need more than 2TB storage per user for large CAD files, engineering data, or extensive documentation
- You want enhanced threat protection beyond CMMC Level 1 minimums
- You're in a high-threat environment and prioritize maximum security
- You need advanced compliance features for other regulations (ITAR, EAR, etc.)
- Budget allows for premium security ($120/year more per user than Enterprise Standard)
💰 Cost Comparison (10 Users):
- Enterprise Standard: $2,400/year total
- Enterprise Plus: $3,600/year total (+$1,200/year)
For a 10-person team, Enterprise Plus costs an additional $100/month. This may be worthwhile for enhanced security, but isn't required for basic CMMC Level 1 compliance.
6. Google Workspace Edition Comparison
| Security Feature | Business Starter | Business Standard | Business Plus | Enterprise Standard ✅ | Enterprise Plus ✅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Context-Aware Access | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Advanced Endpoint Management | ✗ | ✗ | Limited | ✓ | ✓ |
| Google Vault (Retention/eDiscovery) | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Data Loss Prevention (DLP) | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ Advanced |
| Security Center | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ Enhanced |
| Advanced Protection Program | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audit Logging | Basic | Basic | Standard | ✓ Complete | ✓ Complete + Export |
| Multi-Factor Authentication | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Storage per User | 30 GB | 2 TB | 5 TB | 2 TB | 5 TB |
| Price (Annual) | $6/user/mo | $12/user/mo | $18/user/mo | $20/user/mo | $30/user/mo |
| CMMC Level 1 Compliant? | ✗ NO | ✗ NO | ✗ NO | ✓ YES | ✓ YES |
⚠️ The $2/Month Mistake:
Many contractors see Business Plus ($18/month) vs Enterprise Standard ($20/month) and think "only $2 more per user." But that $2/month difference is the gap between CMMC compliance and CMMC failure. Don't save $24/user/year only to lose your ability to compete for defense contracts. Always choose Enterprise Standard or Plus.
7. How to Check Your Current Google Workspace Plan
Not sure which edition you have? Here's how to verify:
Steps to Check Your Google Workspace Edition:
- Sign in to Google Admin Console – Go to admin.google.com as an administrator
- Click "Billing" in the left sidebar
- Select "Subscriptions"
- Look at your subscription name – It will clearly state: Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, or Enterprise Plus
- Check the price – Verify it matches the expected rate ($6, $12, $18, $20, or $30 per user/month)
🔍 Quick Test for Context-Aware Access:
Want to quickly verify if you have Enterprise features?
- Go to Google Admin Console
- Click "Security" → "Access and data control"
- Look for "Context-Aware Access" option – If you don't see this menu item, you're on a Business plan and need to upgrade
8. Upgrading Your Google Workspace Account
If you're currently on a Business plan, upgrading is straightforward:
Upgrade Process:
Step-by-Step Upgrade Instructions:
- Sign in to Google Admin Console – Go to admin.google.com
- Navigate to Billing – Click "Billing" → "Subscriptions"
- Click "Upgrade" next to your current subscription
- Select "Enterprise Standard" (or Enterprise Plus if desired)
- Review pricing change – Google will show you the new monthly/annual cost
- Choose annual commitment – Required for Enterprise Standard/Plus (saves ~17% vs monthly)
- Accept terms and confirm
- Wait 5-10 minutes – Enterprise features typically activate within minutes
What Happens During Upgrade:
- No downtime – Email, calendar, and files remain accessible throughout
- All data preserved – Nothing is lost or changed
- Immediate feature access – Enterprise features activate automatically
- Prorated billing – Google adjusts your bill for the current period
- Same user accounts – No need to recreate users or reset passwords
💡 Pro Tip:
Upgrade to Enterprise Standard first, implement your CMMC security configurations, and verify everything works. You can always upgrade to Enterprise Plus later if you need the additional storage or enhanced security features. There's no benefit to paying for Plus until you actually need those advanced capabilities.
9. Implementing Google Workspace for CMMC Compliance
Having the right Google Workspace edition is just the foundation. You still need to properly configure all security controls:
Required Configuration Steps:
Essential Security Configurations:
- Enable and Enforce MFA (2-3 hours) – Require multi-factor authentication for all users accessing FCI
- Configure Context-Aware Access (4-6 hours) – Set up access policies based on device security, location, and user context
- Implement Endpoint Management (4-8 hours) – Enroll all devices, enforce security policies, configure remote wipe
- Set Up Data Loss Prevention (3-5 hours) – Create DLP rules to prevent unauthorized sharing of FCI
- Enable Google Vault (2-3 hours) – Configure retention policies and eDiscovery
- Configure Security Center (2-4 hours) – Set up monitoring, alerts, and security dashboards
- Document All Policies (8-12 hours) – Create required CMMC documentation for each control
- Train Users (2-3 hours per user) – Ensure all employees understand security requirements
Total Implementation Time: 30-50 hours of technical work plus user training
⚠️ Configuration Is Not Optional:
Simply upgrading to Enterprise Standard does not make you CMMC compliant. Google Workspace Enterprise provides the capabilities required for compliance, but you must configure them properly. This is where most contractors struggle—and where expert guidance becomes invaluable.
10. Next Steps for Google Workspace Users
✅ Action Items:
- Verify your current Google Workspace edition – Check if you have Enterprise Standard or Plus
- Upgrade if necessary – Move to Enterprise Standard ($20/user/month minimum)
- Budget for compliance implementation – Plan 30-50 hours of technical work plus training
- Assess your current security posture – Use our free CMMC assessment tool
- Plan your configuration roadmap – Determine which controls you'll implement and in what order
Key Takeaways:
- Business plans cannot meet CMMC requirements – No exceptions, no workarounds
- Enterprise Standard is the minimum – $20/user/month with annual commitment
- Context-Aware Access is non-negotiable – This single feature separates compliant from non-compliant
- Upgrade is simple – No downtime, no data loss, immediate feature access
- Configuration is critical – Having the right plan is only step one
Ready to Achieve CMMC Level 1 Compliance with Google Workspace?
Having the right Google Workspace edition is essential—but it's only the foundation. You still need to implement all 17 CMMC Level 1 practices across 6 security domains and configure your Google Workspace security controls properly.
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Google Workspace Configuration Experts
Our toolkit includes Google Workspace-specific configuration guides, templates adapted for Google's environment, and step-by-step procedures for implementing Context-Aware Access, Endpoint Management, and DLP policies. We help Google Workspace users achieve compliance in weeks—without the trial-and-error that typically delays implementation by months.
Questions? Email us at support@overwatchtools.com
About Overwatch Tools
Overwatch Tools specializes in CMMC Level 1 compliance solutions for small defense contractors using Google Workspace or Microsoft 365. We provide practical, affordable templates and platform-specific guidance to help contractors achieve compliance without enterprise-level complexity or cost.
Disclaimer: This article provides general guidance on Google Workspace edition requirements for CMMC compliance. Every organization's situation is unique. Google Workspace Enterprise Standard meets CMMC Level 1 requirements when properly configured.