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Monday.com Hardening Guide

Productivity Last updated: 2025-02-05

Work management platform hardening for Monday.com including SAML SSO, authentication policies, and admin controls

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Overview

Monday.com is a leading work management platform used by millions of users for project management, workflows, and team collaboration. As a repository for project data and business operations, Monday.com security configurations directly impact operational security and data protection.

Intended Audience

  • Security engineers managing work management platforms
  • IT administrators configuring Monday.com Enterprise
  • GRC professionals assessing collaboration security
  • Account administrators managing access controls

How to Use This Guide

  • L1 (Baseline): Essential controls for all organizations
  • L2 (Hardened): Enhanced controls for security-sensitive environments
  • L3 (Maximum Security): Strictest controls for regulated industries

Scope

This guide covers Monday.com security including SAML SSO, authentication policies, admin controls, and account security.

Table of Contents

  1. Authentication & SSO
  2. Account Security
  3. Access Controls
  4. Monitoring & Compliance
  5. Compliance Quick Reference

1. Authentication & SSO

1.1 Configure SAML Single Sign-On

Profile Level: L1 (Baseline)

Framework Control
CIS Controls 6.3, 12.5
NIST 800-53 IA-2, IA-8

Description

Configure SAML SSO to centralize authentication for Monday.com users.

Prerequisites

  • Monday.com Enterprise plan
  • SAML 2.0 compatible IdP
  • Account administrator access

ClickOps Implementation

Step 1: Access Admin Section

  1. Click your profile picture (top right)
  2. Select Administration
  3. Navigate to Security section

Step 2: Configure SSO

  1. Click Single Sign-On (SSO) in Authentication policies
  2. Click Add SSO policy
  3. Select your IdP (Okta, Azure, etc.)

Step 3: Enter IdP Settings

  1. In SAML SSO URL field, paste Login URL
  2. In Identity provider issuer field, paste Entity ID
  3. In Public certificate field, paste Signing Certificate
  4. Format hints provided for each IdP

Step 4: Test Connection

  1. Test connection (mandatory step)
  2. Verify authentication works
  3. Enable SAML on account

Time to Complete: ~1 hour

1.2 Configure Login Restriction Policies

Profile Level: L2 (Hardened)

Framework Control
CIS Controls 6.3
NIST 800-53 IA-2

Description

Configure login policies to enforce SSO or allow exceptions.

ClickOps Implementation

Step 1: Access Login Policies

  1. Navigate to: Administration → Security
  2. Access login restriction settings

Step 2: Configure Restrictions

  1. Customize email and password policy
  2. Exclude specific users from SSO requirement if needed
  3. Configure break-glass access

Step 3: Configure Break-Glass Access

  1. Use “Guests” or “Guests and a single user” options
  2. Enable for SSO provider outage scenarios
  3. Document emergency procedures

1.3 Enable Monday Certificate Encryption

Profile Level: L2 (Hardened)

Framework Control
CIS Controls 3.11
NIST 800-53 SC-8

Description

Enable certificate encryption for SAML assertions.

ClickOps Implementation

Step 1: Configure Certificate

  1. In SAML settings, find Enable Monday Certificate
  2. Enable the checkbox
  3. This encrypts SAML assertions from IdP

Step 2: Update IdP Configuration

  1. Download Monday.com certificate
  2. Configure IdP to encrypt assertions
  3. Test encrypted authentication

1.4 Configure Google SSO (Alternative)

Profile Level: L1 (Baseline)

Framework Control
CIS Controls 6.3
NIST 800-53 IA-2

Description

Configure Google Single Sign-On (available on Pro and Enterprise).

ClickOps Implementation

Step 1: Enable Google SSO

  1. Navigate to: Administration → Security → SSO
  2. Enable Google Single Sign-On

Step 2: Configure Domain Restriction

  1. Restrict to organizational Google accounts
  2. Block personal accounts
  3. Test authentication

2. Account Security

2.1 Restrict Account Membership

Profile Level: L1 (Baseline)

Framework Control
CIS Controls 5.3
NIST 800-53 AC-2

Description

Control who can join your Monday.com account.

ClickOps Implementation

Step 1: Configure Membership Restrictions

  1. Navigate to: Administration → Security
  2. Configure who can join account

Step 2: Use JIT Provisioning

  1. Monday.com uses Just-In-Time provisioning by default
  2. Users created on first login if they don’t exist
  3. Consider disabling for explicit provisioning

2.2 Configure Session Security

Profile Level: L1 (Baseline)

Framework Control
CIS Controls 6.2
NIST 800-53 AC-12

Description

Configure session timeout and security settings.

ClickOps Implementation

Step 1: Access Session Settings

  1. Navigate to: Administration → Security
  2. Find session settings

Step 2: Configure Timeout

  1. Set appropriate session timeout
  2. Balance security with usability
  3. Apply to all users

2.3 Manage Admin Access

Profile Level: L1 (Baseline)

Framework Control
CIS Controls 5.4
NIST 800-53 AC-6(1)

Description

Minimize and protect administrator accounts.

ClickOps Implementation

Step 1: Inventory Admins

  1. Navigate to: Administration → Users
  2. Review administrator accounts
  3. Document all admins

Step 2: Apply Least Privilege

  1. Limit admins to 2-3 users
  2. Remove unnecessary admin access
  3. Review quarterly

3. Access Controls

3.1 Configure Workspace Permissions

Profile Level: L1 (Baseline)

Framework Control
CIS Controls 5.4
NIST 800-53 AC-6

Description

Configure permissions across workspaces and boards.

ClickOps Implementation

Step 1: Configure Workspace Access

  1. Organize by team or function
  2. Set workspace-level permissions
  3. Control board visibility

Step 2: Configure Board Permissions

  1. Set appropriate board permissions
  2. Restrict editing to necessary users
  3. Use viewer access for stakeholders

3.2 Configure Guest Access

Profile Level: L2 (Hardened)

Framework Control
CIS Controls 3.3
NIST 800-53 AC-3

Description

Control guest access to workspaces and boards.

ClickOps Implementation

Step 1: Configure Guest Settings

  1. Navigate to: Administration → Security
  2. Configure guest permissions

Step 2: Restrict Guest Capabilities

  1. Limit what guests can see/edit
  2. Configure board-level guest access
  3. Monitor guest activity

3.3 Configure Integration Security

Profile Level: L2 (Hardened)

Framework Control
CIS Controls 3.11
NIST 800-53 SC-12

Description

Control third-party integrations and apps.

ClickOps Implementation

Step 1: Review Integrations

  1. Navigate to: Administration → Apps
  2. Review installed integrations
  3. Remove unnecessary apps

Step 2: Configure App Permissions

  1. Limit who can install apps
  2. Review app permissions
  3. Audit regularly

4. Monitoring & Compliance

4.1 Configure Audit Logging

Profile Level: L1 (Baseline)

Framework Control
CIS Controls 8.2
NIST 800-53 AU-2

Description

Monitor account activity through audit logs.

ClickOps Implementation

Step 1: Access Audit Logs

  1. Navigate to: Administration → Security
  2. Access audit log section
  3. Review logged events

Step 2: Monitor Key Events

  1. User login/logout
  2. Permission changes
  3. Admin actions
  4. SSO configuration changes

4.2 Configure Data Export Controls

Profile Level: L2 (Hardened)

Framework Control
CIS Controls 3.1
NIST 800-53 AC-3

Description

Control ability to export data from Monday.com.

ClickOps Implementation

Step 1: Configure Export Settings

  1. Navigate to: Administration → Security
  2. Configure export permissions

Step 2: Restrict Exports

  1. Limit who can export data
  2. Monitor export activity
  3. Document approved exports

5. Compliance Quick Reference

SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria Mapping

Control ID Monday.com Control Guide Section
CC6.1 SSO/SAML 1.1
CC6.2 Admin access 2.3
CC6.6 Session security 2.2
CC6.7 Certificate encryption 1.3
CC7.2 Audit logging 4.1

NIST 800-53 Rev 5 Mapping

Control Monday.com Control Guide Section
IA-2 SSO 1.1
AC-2 Membership 2.1
AC-3 Guest access 3.2
AC-6 Permissions 3.1
AU-2 Audit logging 4.1

Appendix A: Plan Compatibility

Feature Free Basic Standard Pro Enterprise
Google SSO ❌ ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅
SAML SSO ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ✅
Audit Logs ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌ ✅
Admin Controls ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅

Note: Multiple IdPs cannot be connected to one Monday.com account.

Appendix B: References

Official Monday.com Documentation:

API Documentation:

Compliance Frameworks:

Security Incidents:

  • No major public security incidents identified for Monday.com. The platform maintains a managed private bug bounty program. Monitor the Monday.com Trust Center for current advisories.

Changelog

Date Version Maturity Changes Author
2025-02-05 0.1.0 draft Initial guide with SSO, authentication policies, and admin controls Claude Code (Opus 4.5)

Contributing

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