google_workspace_mcp

Least-privilege permissions

• Create a dedicated Google Workspace account for the AI agent with access limited to only the folders, calendars, and document types it actually needs—not blanket access to all Gmail or Drive.
• Use Google Workspace Security Controls to restrict which users or groups the AI can send emails from, and disable features like "forward emails" if the agent doesn't need them.
• Rotate credentials regularly (every 90 days) and immediately revoke access if the AI connector is no longer in use or if you suspect compromise.
• Review permissions quarterly to ensure they haven't drifted—remove any access that's no longer necessary for the agent's current tasks.

Network isolation

• Run the connector on a separate, controlled server (not on user workstations or public cloud instances with other services) with a firewall that only allows outbound connections to Google's API servers.
• Disable direct internet access from the AI agent to file-sharing sites, email forwarding services, or external APIs outside of Google Workspace to prevent sneaking data out through side channels.
• Use a VPN or private network if the connector must communicate with your company systems, and encrypt all connections end-to-end.
• Isolate logs and output files on a secure, restricted-access server; do not store AI agent activity logs on shared drives or cloud storage where they might contain sensitive email excerpts or document previews.

Monitoring

• Log all AI actions (emails sent, files accessed, deletions, sharing changes) in a central, tamper-proof location separate from the AI agent itself, and review them weekly for unexpected activity.
• Set up alerts if the agent accesses an unusually large number of files, sends bulk emails, or modifies permissions on sensitive folders in a short time window.
• Compare audit trails between the AI agent's recorded actions and Google Workspace's native audit logs—mismatches may indicate tampering or prompt injection attacks.
• Track which human users reviewed and approved each AI decision; if the AI sent an email or deleted a file, confirm a real person signed off on it first.

Red flags to watch for

• Unexpected bulk actions: Agent suddenly deletes dozens of files, sends hundreds of emails, or shares documents with external domains without explicit instruction.
• Privilege escalation: Agent gains access to accounts, folders, or data types it was never configured to use; check Google Workspace permissions immediately.
• Garbled or off-topic outputs: Agent generates nonsensical instructions to send emails, access unrelated calendars, or reference files it shouldn't know about—sign of prompt injection.
• Gaps in audit logs: Google Workspace shows an action (email sent, file moved) but the AI agent's logs are silent, or vice versa—indicates possible compromise or misconfiguration.