Back to controls

Ensure the default firewall does not have any default rules besides http and https

### Overview

Category

Controls

Medium

Applies to

Google Cloud

Coverage

null controls, 1 queries

Asset types

1 covered

Overview

Overview

The default Firewall rules will apply to all instances by default in the absence of specific custom rules with higher priority. It is a safe practice to not have these rules in the default Firewall.

Remediation guidance

  1. Login to GCP Console and from Networking, select VPC network.
  2. Click on the name of the default network and go to Firewall Rules
  3. Select all rules starting with default- excepting http and https and delete them

Multiple Remediation Paths

Google Cloud

SERVICE-WIDE (RECOMMENDED when many resources are affected): Enforce Organization Policies at org/folder level so new resources inherit secure defaults.

gcloud org-policies set-policy policy.yaml

ASSET-LEVEL: Use the product-specific remediation steps above for only the impacted project/resources.

PREVENTIVE: Use org policy constraints/custom constraints and enforce checks in deployment pipelines.

References for Service-Wide Patterns

  • GCP Organization Policy overview: https://cloud.google.com/resource-manager/docs/organization-policy/overview
  • GCP Organization policy constraints catalog: https://cloud.google.com/resource-manager/docs/organization-policy/org-policy-constraints
  • gcloud org-policies: https://cloud.google.com/sdk/gcloud/reference/org-policies

Operational Rollout Workflow

Use this sequence to reduce risk and avoid repeated drift.

1. Contain at Service-Wide Scope First (Recommended)

  • Google Cloud: apply organization policy constraints at org/folder scope.
gcloud org-policies set-policy policy.yaml

2. Remediate Existing Affected Assets

  • Execute the control-specific Console/CLI steps documented above for each flagged resource.
  • Prioritize internet-exposed and production assets first.

3. Validate and Prevent Recurrence

  • Re-scan after each remediation batch.
  • Track exceptions with owner and expiry date.
  • Add preventive checks in IaC/CI pipelines.

Query logic

These are the stored checks tied to this control.

The default firewall does not have any default rules besides http and https

Connectors

Google Cloud

Covered asset types

Firewall

Expected check: eq []

{GCPNetworking7{...AssetFragment}}
Cyscale Logo
Cyscale is an agentless cloud-native application protection platform (CNAPP) that automates the contextual analysis of cloud misconfigurations, vulnerabilities, access, and data, to provide an accurate and actionable assessment of risk.

Stay connected

Receive new blog posts and product updates from Cyscale

By clicking Subscribe, I agree to Cyscale’s Privacy Policy


© 2026 Cyscale Limited

LinkedIn icon
Twitter icon
Facebook icon
crunch base icon
angel icon