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9 Essential Steps of a Server Hardening Process External
Servers are often targets for cyberattacks due to their ability to reach other parts of the IT environment and wreak havoc. Here André Schindler, General Manager EMEA at NinjaOne explores how developing a server hardening process will help organisations improve its security posture.
S
erver hardening is a type of system hardening process that aims to protect and secure a server against cyberattacks by reducing its attack surface. An attack surface consists of all possible points
of a system where an unauthorised attacker can attempt to enter. Minimising the number of these vulnerabilities “hardens” a server against exploitations and increases data security. A server hardening process works by taking steps to guarantee that
all aspects of a server are as secure as possible. With the help of tools like IT operations management soſtware, you can gain better visibility of the different components in your server and ensure that different parts of the process have been properly executed. Each step in the server hardening process helps you to further secure and protect your server. A server hardening process contains many actions that need to be
carried out. Tey don’t necessarily need to be done in a particular order, but each step should be completed to ensure that your server is hardened and secure against cyberattacks.
1) Secure server location Place your server in a safe location. Verify that the settings are ideal (temperature, proximity, etc.) and that the area is locked and restricted only to approved staff.
2) Control access permissions Instituting the “principle of least privilege” is an effective way to verify that important systems, programs, configurations, and other operations are only accessible to those who need it. By limiting access to the business’s most critical business technology and operations, it creates an additional layer of security that makes a server compromise less likely.
3) Set up your firewall A firewall is a barrier set in place to separate the computer network from any external sources, and it’s a security system for your computer network, which monitors incoming and outgoing traffic. Setting up your firewall is a wise way to monitor traffic within your network and block unwanted traffic coming from outside the network, which can help prevent attackers from entering the network in the first place.
4) Manage configurations Tere are multiple types of configurations to manage in your IT environment such as user, server, network, and NTP (network time protocol). Active management of these different settings ensures consistency across all the systems that exist in your IT environment. It also helps you gain visibility into systems across your server and know how they impact each other.
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5) Secure user accounts Protect the user accounts on your server. Keep usernames and passwords private, and make them strong and unique. Also, consider using MFA when possible to heighten the level of security.
6) Apply patches to vulnerabilities Apply soſtware patches as soon as you can and make sure your IT environment is continuously updated to ensure the highest security. Unpatched server soſtware is easily exploited by cybercriminals, so be sure to install updated soſtware to protect those vulnerabilities. To learn more about effectively applying patches, read about the patch management process.
7) Remove unnecessary soſtware Keep your network tidy by removing soſtware and applications that you no longer use. Hackers are difficult to identify if they’re accessing your data through soſtware you’re not actively using. Plus, an organised network is much easier to secure.
8) Plan a backup strategy Backup your server data to ensure that important organisational information is lost in the event of a cyberattack. Using designated backup soſtware can help guarantee that your data is backed up correctly. Create a backup strategy that will best serve the needs of your organisation.
9) Continuously monitor Continually monitoring your server is a step that never ends in a server hardening process. Tis allows you to be aware of any activity on your system, track log-ins and know who’s accessing certain areas of the server. Tis knowledge allows you to be proactive in your efforts to secure your server.
The Importance of server hardening It is vital to take preventative action and secure your organisation’s server. If your server becomes compromised due to a hacker exploiting its vulnerabilities, this means that you no longer have full control of the server. With the hacker’s newfound access, they could send spam mail, attack other servers, or install malware, all of which could result in corrupted devices or data, unplanned downtime, a damaged reputation, and extraordinary costs. Server hardening is important because it can mitigate the effects of
possible cyberattacks, and it is key for securing the data and operations of your server. It is a necessary strategy that helps to support business uptime and continual operations.
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