Windows Benchmarks (The Center for Internet Security)-- Arguably the best and most widely-accepted guide to server hardening. Another encryption option to consider is whole-disk encryption, which encrypts the entire contents of the drive instead of just specific files and folders. Windows Server 2016 includes major security innovations that can help protect privileged identity, make it harder for attackers to breach your servers, and detect attacks so that you can respond faster. Other - For systems that include Controlled or Published data, all steps are recommended, and some are required (denoted by the !). If you’re wanting a bit more of a custom approach or wanting to experiment, you can create very precise Security Templates using the built-in MMC console. Microsoft has a "Solution Accelerator" called Security Compliance Manager that allows System Administrators or IT Pro's to create security templates that help harden their systems in a manageable, repeatable, way. The “Registry” setting allows you to configure permissions for certain Registry Hives (i.e. This allows administrators to manage registry-based policy settings. You may notice that everything is grayed out. For domain member machines, this policy will only log events for local user accounts. Group Policy tools use Administrative template files to populate policy settings in the user interface. All steps are recommended. Configure machine inactivity limit to protect idle interactive sessions. This is the first part of a multi part series looking at the settings within Windows Server that are looked at as part of a standard build review. Configure the device boot order to prevent unauthorized booting from alternate media. View all posts by MSAdministrator. The Information Security Office (ISO) has distilled the CIS lists down to the most critical steps for your systems, with a focus on issues unique to the computing environment at The University of Texas at Austin. ITS provides anti-spyware software for no additional charge. If a Windows 2000 server with restrict anonymous set to 2 wins the election, your browsing will not function properly. The most important log here is the security log. When installing SCM 3.o (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/solutionaccelerators/cc835245.aspx) you will need to have SQL Express installed, which the application takes care if you don’t have it currently installed. Do not allow any named pipes to be accessed anonymously. Step - The step number in the procedure. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. On most servers, you should choose either "Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them," or "Notify me but don't automatically download or install them. Finalization. Set LAN Manager authentication level to only allow NTLMv2 and refuse LM and NTLM. Security can be provided by means such as, but not limited to, encryption, access controls, filesystem audits, physically securing the storage media, or any combination thereof as deemed appropriate. The requirements were developed by DoD Consensus as well as Windows security guidance by Microsoft Corporation. Windows comes with BitLocker for this. Configure Account Management audit policy. server in a secure fashion and maintaining the security integrity of the server and application software. (Default), Digitally sign secure channel data (when possible). Windows has a feature called Windows Resource Protection that automatically checks certain key files and replaces them if they become corrupted. Select that option. Microsoft has a “Solution Accelerator” called Security Compliance Manager that allows System Administrators or IT Pro’s to create security templates that help harden their systems in a manageable, repeatable, way. Microsoft has provided, By default, domain members synchronize their time with domain controllers using Microsoft's, ITS provides FireAMP, a managed, cloud-based antivirus service, free of charge for all university owned devices. This download includes the Administrative templates released for Windows Server 2012 R2, in the following languages: bg-BG Bulgarian - Bulgaria; cs-CZ Czech - Czech Republic Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer This is a free host-based application that is available to download from Microsoft. (Default). Allow Local System to use computer identity for NTLM. This download includes the Administrative templates released for Windows 10 (1607) and Windows Server 2016, in the following languages: cs-CZ Czech - Czech Republic (Default), Configure the Windows Firewall in all profiles to block inbound traffic by default. Next, select the baseline “root” that you want to examine and then select a specific configuration section within that baseline. Disable the sending of unencrypted passwords to third party SMB servers. In rare cases, a breach may go on for months before detection. Select a screen saver from the list. The Tripwire management console can be very helpful for managing more complex installations. Configure anti-virus software to update daily. This is powerful technology, and all that’s missing is guidance on how to best deploy and use Windows Server 2016 to protect your server workloads. Do you see the option underneath this setting (when selected) that says “Setting Details” – select this now. He is a GIAC Certified Windows Security Administrator (GCWN) and GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA). My boss ask me to harden a server I heard from my boss that I need to download microsoft security template and import that template into the server. ITS also maintains a centrally-managed Splunk service that may be leveraged. The server that is authoritative for the credentials must have this audit policy enabled. Do not allow the system to be shut down without having to log on. (Default). When doing this, it will add it to your “Other Baselines” option at the bottom of the left-side pane (Don’t do this now). Using Security Templates from Microsoft and the Security Compliance Manager allows for a more robust configuration that has been proven to reduce your security risk. There is setting like minimum security etc. Install the latest service packs and hotfixes from Microsoft. Another option is to configure Windows to rotate event log files automatically when an event log reaches its maximum size as described in the article http://support.microsoft.com/kb/312571 using the AutoBackupLogFiles registry entry. Disable anonymous SID/Name translation. ( Log Out / In addition to detailing missing patches, this tool also performs checks on basic security settings and provides information on remediating any issues found. We also recommend the installation of a secondary anti-spyware application, such as SpyWare Blaster, EMS Free Surfer, or AdAware. symbol. These assets must be protected from both security and performance related risks. Source: Microsoft Security Center Security is a real risk for organizations; a security breach can be potentially disrupting for all business and bring the organizations to a halt. Adding the task to update automatically is relatively straightforward. Ensure scheduled tasks are run with a dedicated Service account and not a Domain Administrator account. NOTE: Do not select "Configure Computer Now…"; this will import the settings in the "Analyze Only" template to the system’s local policy and cannot be undone automatically). Implement MS KBs 2928120 and 2871997. Your network boundaries, firewalls, VPNs, mobile computers, desktops, servers, domain controllers, etc., all Today we are releasing MS15-011 & MS15-014 which harden group policy and address network access vulnerabilities that can be used to achieve remote code execution (RCE) in domain networks. This may happen deliberately as an attempt by an attacker to cover his tracks. (Default). ensures that every system is secured in accordance to your organizations standards. Overview. The Security Configuration Wizard can greatly simplify the hardening of the server. UT Note - The UT Note at the bottom of the page provides additional detail about the step for the university computing environment. ( Log Out / Place the University warning banner in the Message Text for users attempting to log on. LGPO.exe can import and apply settings from Registry Policy (Registry.pol) files, security templates, Advanced Auditing backup files, as well as from formatted “LGPO text” files. Securing the Server 3. Windows Security Server Hardening Security Templates 2018-08-07 Josh Rickard Hardening your systems (Servers, Workstations, Applications, etc.) Ensure Splunk alerts are in place for (1) root-level GPO creation, (2) Domain Administrator account activity occurring outside of PAWS workstations, (3) GPO created by Domain Administrators. For example, the “System Services” section is used to enable or disable specific services that are set automatically by your default image (or Microsoft). Once they are downloaded, you should see more options in the first pane (Microsoft Baselines). Now, if you’ve selected an item in the center pane then you should have noticed the far right pane change – this is the action pane. Servers in their many forms (file, print, application, web, and database) are used by the organization to supply critical information for staff. The Information Resources Use and Security Policy requires passwords be a minimum of 8 characters in length. I am new to server hardening. (Default). Configure Microsoft Network Server to digitally sign communications if client agrees. Deny guest accounts the ability to logon as a service, a batch job, locally, or via RDP. If encryption is being used in conjunction with Confidential data, one of the solutions listed in the Approved Encryption Methods (EID required) must be implemented. Once you have tested your INF Security Templates you can then deploy them using Group Policy or PowerShell. Instead of the CIS recommended values, the account lockout policy should be configured as follows: Any account with this role is permitted to log in to the console. A step-by-step checklist to secure Microsoft Windows Server: Download Latest CIS Benchmark. ensures that every system is secured in accordance to your organizations standards. Do not grant any users the 'act as part of the operating system' right. (Default). Feel free to clone/recommend improvements or fork. By default 10 accounts will be cached locally, but there is a risk that in the event of a compromise an attacker could locate the cached credentials and use a brute force attack to discover the passwords. Windows Server 2012 R2 Hardening Checklist; Browse pages. The Account Logon audit policy logs the results of validation tests of credentials submitted for user account logon requests. Do not allow any shares to be accessed anonymously. A lot of merchants assume system hardening is part of a POS installer’s job. Using the STIG templates. Hardening your systems (Servers, Workstations, Applications, etc.) In Registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\WDigest, set “UseLogonCredential” to 0.3. Configure the group policy object below to match the listed audit settings: The university requires the following event log settings instead of those recommended by the CIS Benchmark: The recommended retention method for all logs is: Retain events for at least 14 days. It is enabled by default. Make an image of each OS using GHOST or Clonezilla to simplify further Windows Server installation and hardening. Print the checklist and check off each item you complete to ensure that you cover the critical steps for securing your server. The best part of the Security Compliance Manager is that you can import a backup on your Group Policy Objects to identify weaknesses and strengths of your current configurations. (Default). All rights reserved. Microsoft is dedicated to providing its customers with secure operating systems, such as Windows 10 and Windows Server, and secure apps, such as Microsoft Edge. (Default). 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