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. If a Windows 2000 server with restrict anonymous set to 2 wins the election, your browsing will not function properly. 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. Install the latest service packs and hotfixes from Microsoft. ( Log Out /  ", 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. Windows Server 2016 Hardening & Security: Why it is essential? These are minimum requirements. Disable Local System NULL session fallback. Select that option. 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. If other alternatives are unavailable, this can be accomplished by installing a SOHO router/firewall in between the network and the host to be protected. 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. Do not store passwords using reversible encryption. At a minimum, SpyBot Search and Destroy should be installed. Configure anti-spyware software to update daily. With this option, you are able to create INF templates which will allow you to configure specific settings for lets say an IIS, Domain Controller, Hyper-V, etc. TIP The Secedit.exe command-line tool is commonly used in a startup script to ensure that … Do you see the option underneath this setting (when selected) that says “Setting Details” – select this now. Once doing so, you should see tons of settings that apply to that configuration (this is similar to Group Policy Objects) and if you select one of these “GPOish” settings you will see further detail. It's unlikely that non-administrative users require this level of access and, in cases where the server is not physically secured, granting this right may facilitate a compromise of the device. ensures that every system is secured in accordance to your organizations standards. (Default), Do not allow anonymous enumeration of SAM accounts. He is a GIAC Certified Windows Security Administrator (GCWN) and GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA). It is strongly recommended that passwords be at least 14 characters in length (which is also the recommendation of CIS). Require strong (Windows 2000 or later) session keys. The Tripwire management console can be very helpful for managing more complex installations. You can audit in much more in depth using Tripwire; consider this for your highest-risk systems. Disable anonymous SID/Name translation. Configure anti-virus software to update daily. Diese Vorlage schränkt Windows Server hinsichtlich überflüssiger Funktionen ein und machen es sicherer für den Betrieb in einem Unternehmen. Designing the OU Structure 2. Disallow users from creating and logging in with Microsoft accounts. When you create these Security Templates, then you know that every (IIS, DC, Hyper-V) server has a very specific configuration from the beginning, thus ensuring that all of your configurations are the same across the entire domain/forest/network. 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. This service is compatible with Internet Explorer only. The action pane is similar to all other Microsoft products and allows you take certain actions as necessary. You have several different options within this “Security Template”, and each has a very specific purpose. This may happen deliberately as an attempt by an attacker to cover his tracks. If machine is a new install, protect it from hostile network traffic, until the operating system is installed and hardened. Either way, creating a standard “Golden” image with a predefined Security Template will reduce errors by busy SysAdmins as well as ensuring that every system has the appropriate configurations applied without “admin” interaction. Provide secure storage for Confidential (category-I) Data as required. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. If this option is enabled, the system will store passwords using a weak form of encryption that is susceptible to compromise. Click Settings on the left hand side of the window. Server Hardening Policy. Set LAN Manager authentication level to only allow NTLMv2 and refuse LM and NTLM. Do not allow the system to be shut down without having to log on. Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer This is a free host-based application that is available to download from Microsoft. Hardening your systems (Servers, Workstations, Applications, etc.) ( Log Out /  Configuring the password complexity setting is important only if another method of ensuring compliance with, It is highly recommended that logs are shipped from any Confidential cdevices to a service like, Configure user rights to be as secure as possible, following the recommendations in section 2.2 of the CIS benchmark. 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. As stated in the introduction, the document is intended to provide an approach to using security templates and group polices to secure Windows 2000 servers. In the Spybot Application, click on Mode --> Advanced View. Open the Display Properties control panel. If remote registry access is required, the remotely accessible registry paths should still be configured to be as restrictive as possible. Require the "Classic" sharing and security model for local accounts. You may add localized information to the banner as long as the university banner is included. Enter a name and path for the log file (e.g., "C:\Test\STIG.log"). (Default). You should now see an option labeled "Scheduler." 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 requirements were developed by DoD Consensus as well as Windows security guidance by Microsoft Corporation. The group policy object below should be set to 4 or fewer logins: Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options\Interactive logon: Number of previous logons to cache (in case domain controller is not available). 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. The Security Configuration Wizard can greatly simplify the hardening of the server. 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. (Default). Ensure scheduled tasks are run with a dedicated Service account and not a Domain Administrator account. The MS15-014 update addresses an issue in Group Policy update which can be used to disable client-side global SMB Signing requirements, bypassing an existing security feature built into the product. (Default), Digitally sign secure channel data (when possible). You may notice that everything is grayed out. The Windows Server 2016 Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) is published as a tool to improve the security of Department of Defense (DoD) information systems. (Default). To add specific permissions (hardening) to Registry hives/keys, you must right-click the “Registry” setting and select “Add Key”. Restrict local logon access to Administrators. 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 Information Resources Use and Security Policy requires passwords be a minimum of 8 characters in length. 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. Step - The step number in the procedure. Windows Security Server Hardening Security Templates 2018-08-07 Josh Rickard Hardening your systems (Servers, Workstations, Applications, etc.) Configure all Linux elements according to the, Configure user rights to be as secure as possible: Follow the. Place the University warning banner in the Message Text for users attempting to log on. Do not allow everyone permissions to apply to anonymous users. Configure machine inactivity limit to protect idle interactive sessions. Another example of “Security Templates” settings is the “Registry” setting. This download includes the Administrative templates released for Windows 10 (1607) and Windows Server 2016, in the following languages: cs-CZ Czech - Czech Republic Do not allow anonymous enumeration of SAM accounts and shares. This configuration is disabled by default.For further password protections:1. Although there are several available, consider using a simple one such as "Blank. 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. (Default). Still worth a look-see, though. ( Log Out /  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). Your network boundaries, firewalls, VPNs, mobile computers, desktops, servers, domain controllers, etc., all (Default). 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. Enable the Windows Firewall in all profiles (domain, private, public). A lot of merchants assume system hardening is part of a POS installer’s job. By enabling the legacy audit facilities outlined in this section, it is probable that the performance of the system may be reduced and that the security … The text of the university's official warning banner can be found on the ISO Web site. Be aware of the caveats involved in the use of EFS before implementing it for general use, though. Open Local Group Policy Editor with gpedit.msc and configure the GPO based on CIS Benchmark. 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. Select a screen saver from the list. Restrict the ability to access this computer from the network to Administrators and Authenticated Users. Enable automatic notification of patch availability. 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. Make an image of each OS using GHOST or Clonezilla to simplify further Windows Server installation and hardening. (Default). All rights reserved. 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. Disabling remote registry access may cause such services to fail. to authorized campus-only networks . Besides using Microsoft Security Compliance Manager, you can also create Security Templates by using the standard Windows MMC (Microsoft Management Console) console. Windows Server 2012 R2 Hardening Checklist The hardening checklists are based on the comprehensive checklists produced by CIS. The best hardening process follows information security best practices end to end, from hardening the operating system itself to application and database hardening. By doing this, it should download the most recent configuration settings. Implement MS KBs 2928120 and 2871997. Configure Windows Firewall to restrict remote access services (VNC, RDP, etc.) Modern versions of Tripwire require the purchase of licenses in order to use it. Finalization. Other - For systems that include Controlled or Published data, all steps are recommended, and some are required (denoted by the !). Therefore, it is recommended that this value be reduced so that fewer credentials will be placed at risk, and credentials will be cached for shorter periods of time in the case of devices that are logged into frequently by multiple users. Which Windows Server version is the most secure? The Analyzing System Security windows will appear. Spyware Blaster - Enabling auto-update functionality requires the purchase of an additional subscription. Most of the time, it’s not. Note that if the event log reaches its maximum size and no events older than the number of days you specified exist to be deleted, or if you have disabled overwriting of events, no new events will be logged. (Default), Digitally encrypt secure channel data (when possible). The most important log here is the security log. Set the system date/time and configure it to synchronize against campus time servers. Install software to check the integrity of critical operating system files. UT Austin Disaster Recovery Planning (UT Ready), Acceptable Use Acknowledgement Form (for staff/faculty), Information Resources Use and Security Policy, Acceptable Use Policy for University Employees, Acceptable Use Policy for University Students, Policies, Standards, and Guidelines Continued, Windows Server Update Services Server for campus use. For domain member machines, this policy will only log events for local user accounts. The hardening checklists are based on the comprehensive checklists produced by the Center for Internet Security (CIS). It’s your job to figure out how to make them safe, and it’s going to take work on your part. Using INF Security Templates can greatly reduce unwanted configurations of systems/services/applications, but you must understand and test these configurations before deploying them. 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. Once the application is running you will see three main content windows. Adding the task to update automatically is relatively straightforward. You may increase the number of days that you keep, or you may set the log files to not overwrite events. 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). Web Server Hardening Checklist Terminal Server Hardening Checklist. 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. 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. Next, select the baseline “root” that you want to examine and then select a specific configuration section within that baseline. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. ". In Registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\WDigest, set “UseLogonCredential” to 0.3. Allow Local System to use computer identity for NTLM. symbol. With this knowledge you are able to view their recommendations, thus improving your system hardening. Disable the sending of unencrypted passwords to third party SMB servers. 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. Getting access to a hardening checklist or server hardening policy is easy enough. On an IIS server, you DO NOT need most of these services running – this leads to unwanted configurations and possibility of exploitation. ITS provides anti-spyware software for no additional charge. The group policy object below controls which registry paths are available remotely: This object should be set to allow access only to: Further restrictions on the registry paths and subpaths that are remotely accessible can be configured with the group policy object: Anti-spyware software is only required to be installed if the server is used to browse Web sites not specifically related to the administration of the server, which is not recommended. The further your logs go back, the easier it will be to respond in the event of a breach. Windows Server 2016. Select "OK". The first is the list of all variations of configurations by Microsoft (note the “Other Baselines” at the bottom). Enter your Windows Server 2016/2012/2008/2003 license key. Do not grant any users the 'act as part of the operating system' right. The ISO uses this checklist during risk assessments as part of the process to verify server security. Follow current best practice to ensure IIS is not being run as the System User. All steps are recommended. Print the checklist and check off each item you complete to ensure that you cover the critical steps for securing your server. Hardening your systems (Servers, Workstations, Applications, etc.) Configure Event Log retention method and size. Configure the device boot order to prevent unauthorized booting from alternate media. ( Log Out /  To make changes at this point you will need to duplicate this setting. Using local policy gives administrators a simple way to verify the effects of Group Policy settings, and is also useful for managing non-domain-joined systems. 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. Configure a screen-saver to lock the console's screen automatically if the host is left unattended.