Configure Account Management audit policy. ITS provides anti-spyware software for no additional charge. Be aware of the caveats involved in the use of EFS before implementing it for general use, though. (Default), Digitally sign secure channel data (when possible). The first is the list of all variations of configurations by Microsoft (note the “Other Baselines” at the bottom). Unless the server is in the UDC or a managed VM cluster, set a BIOS/firmware password to prevent alterations in system start up settings. Enter your Windows Server 2016/2012/2008/2003 license key. Group Policy tools use Administrative template files to populate policy settings in the user interface. This policy object should be configured as below: Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\, Advanced Audit Policy Configuration\Audit Policies\Privilege Use\. Open the Display Properties control panel. symbol. If you have any questions or suggestions for the server hardening website, please feel free to send an email to john@serverhardening.com Additionally, if you need assistance, Server Surgeon can help you with all aspects of managing and securing your web servers. For example, the “System Services” section is used to enable or disable specific services that are set automatically by your default image (or Microsoft). With this knowledge you are able to view their recommendations, thus improving your system hardening. Note: I added the telnet-client and SMB1 Windows Features to make sure that these are disabled as part of the hardening and you can easily add anything else as suited to your requirements. Which Windows Server version is the most secure? To Do - Basic instructions on what to do to harden the respective system CIS - Reference number in the Center for Internet Security Windows Server 2016 Benchmark v1.0.0. Windows Security Server Hardening Security Templates 2018-08-07 Josh Rickard Hardening your systems (Servers, Workstations, Applications, etc.) Configuring the minimum password length settings is important only if another method of ensuring compliance with university password standards is not in place. He mention you just go to MMC and add this template into the policy. ( Log Out /  server in a secure fashion and maintaining the security integrity of the server and application software. To add specific permissions (hardening) to Registry hives/keys, you must right-click the “Registry” setting and select “Add Key”. (Default). Using INF Security Templates can greatly reduce unwanted configurations of systems/services/applications, but you must understand and test these configurations before deploying them. Restrict local logon access to Administrators. Configure allowable encryption types for Kerberos. 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. Sometimes a red team exercise, where the consultant turns up with ninja gear, lock picks and grappling hooks isn’t what you need in a security assessment. Configure machine inactivity limit to protect idle interactive sessions. ", Account lockout threshold — 5 failed attempts, Reset account lockout counter — 5 minutes, Credential Validation — Success and Failure, Computer Account Management — Success and Failure, Other Account Management Events — Success and Failures, Security Group Management — Success and Failure, User Account Management — Success and Failure, Other Logon/Logoff Events — Success and Failure, Audit Policy Change — Success and Failure, Sensitive Privilege Use — Success and Failure, System\CurrentControlSet\Control\ProductOptions, System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Server Applications, Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion. If a Windows 2000 server with restrict anonymous set to 2 wins the election, your browsing will not function properly. For critical services working with Confidential or other sensitive data, use Syslog, Splunk, Intrust, or a similar service to ship logs to another device. It includes updates for additional Microsoft products, just like Microsoft Update, and provides additional administrative control for software deployment. ". Within this section you see more detailed information that relates to the: Expand “Security Templates” – you should see a path similar to the following, C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents\Security\Templates, Right click on this path and select -> New Template, Give the Template a name and a brief description (if needed), You should now see your newly created Security Template underneath the path above, Look at C:\Windows\Inf for built-in Security Templates to help you on your way, Checkout the Security Compliance Manager site for more information: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/solutionaccelerators/cc835245.aspx, Check out this quick write-up: http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/it-security/use-ms-security-compliance-manager-to-secure-your-windows-environment/ (it’s a bit older, but its a good read), Check out this video: http://www.windowsecurity.com/articles-tutorials/windows_os_security/Video-Security-Compliance-Manager-25-Understanding-Baselines.html. 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. Windows provides the Encrypting File System as a built-in mechanism to allow the encryption of individual users' files and folders. Windows Server 2016. You should now see an option labeled "Scheduler." Once you have tested your INF Security Templates you can then deploy them using Group Policy or PowerShell. Require Ctrl+Alt+Del for interactive logins. Although there are several available, consider using a simple one such as "Blank. (Default). Select "OK". Add Roles and Features Wizard, Network Policy and Access Services Start Installation Manage > Network Policy Server Create New Radius Client Configuring Radius Server for 802.1X Wireless or Wired Connections Configuring profile name, Configure an Authentication Method, choose Microsoft: Protected EAP (PEAP) Leave the Groups column empty and click next until finish. These assets must be protected from both security and performance related risks. 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. View all posts by MSAdministrator. Enable the Windows Firewall in all profiles (domain, private, public). Open Local Group Policy Editor with gpedit.msc and configure the GPO based on CIS Benchmark. Follow current best practice to ensure IIS is not being run as the System User. In depth security has become a requirement for every company. ( Log Out /  Hardening your systems (Servers, Workstations, Applications, etc.) The Server Hardening Policy applies to all individuals that are responsible for the installation of This is different than the "Windows Update" that is the default on Windows. Disabling remote registry access may cause such services to fail. Windows Server Hardening GPO Template. Disallow remote registry access if not required. The Account Logon audit policy logs the results of validation tests of credentials submitted for user account logon requests. The most important log here is the security log. Configure Space tools. Another encryption option to consider is whole-disk encryption, which encrypts the entire contents of the drive instead of just specific files and folders. 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. More information about obtaining and using FireAMP is at. Windows Benchmarks (The Center for Internet Security)-- Arguably the best and most widely-accepted guide to server hardening. Set the system date/time and configure it to synchronize against campus time servers. Configure Windows Firewall to restrict remote access services (VNC, RDP, etc.) Install and enable anti-spyware software. There are several methods available to assist you in applying patches in a timely fashion: Windows AutoUpdate via WSUS ITS offers a Windows Server Update Services Server for campus use using Microsoft's own update servers. In addition to the security assurance of its products, Microsoft also enables you to have fine control over your environments by providing various configuration capabilities. The ISO uses this checklist during risk assessments as part of the process to verify server security. Ensure scheduled tasks are run with a dedicated Service account and not a Domain Administrator account. Require the "Classic" sharing and security model for local accounts. This setting is configured by group policy object at: \Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Remote Desktop Services\Remote Desktop Session Host\Security. With Security Compliance Manager you are able to view Microsoft’s (along with experts in the field) recommended security baseline configurations. Change ), http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/solutionaccelerators/cc835245.aspx, Protected: Butcher Block & Iron Pipe Desk, Verifying a [DATETIME] format string is valid or not with Confirm-DateTimeFormatPattern, Create Group Policy ADM and ADMX templates, Using PowerShell to manage Amazon EC2 instances, Click on “Download Microsoft baselines automatically”, Next select Windows 8.1 (expand the arrow), Next, select “Windows 8.1 Computer Security Compliance 1.0”, You should see tons of options in the center pane – select the very first option (Interactive Logon: Machine account lockout threshold). Configure Microsoft Network Server to always digitally sign communications. Properly implementing server security and group policies is no exception. (Default). Deny guest accounts the ability to logon as a service, a batch job, locally, or via RDP. (Default). To make changes at this point you will need to duplicate this setting. 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). It’s ideal to base this off of your current configurations, but you could go through all of these settings and create a custom Security Template from scratch if you are so inclined. (Default), Configure the Windows Firewall in all profiles to block inbound traffic by default. All rights reserved. Restrict anonymous access to named pipes and shares. Configure Microsoft Network Client to always digitally sign communications. 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. There is setting like minimum security etc. If remote registry access is not required, it is recommended that the remote registry service be stopped and disabled. Windows 10. This may happen deliberately as an attempt by an attacker to cover his tracks. Hey All, Does anyone have a good checklist for hardening a workstation? The “Registry” setting allows you to configure permissions for certain Registry Hives (i.e. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. This configuration is disabled by default.For further password protections:1. Ensure all volumes are using the NTFS file system. 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. Once the application is running you will see three main content windows. Servers in their many forms (file, print, application, web, and database) are used by the organization to supply critical information for staff. 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