Baseline hardening best practices for servers

Baseline hardening for servers refers to the process of securing and fortifying the default configuration of a server to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance its overall security. Here are some common practices for baseline hardening:
Update and Patch Management:
Regularly update the server’s operating system and software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Firewall Configuration:
Set up a firewall to filter incoming and outgoing traffic, allowing only necessary services and ports to communicate.
Access Control:
Implement strong password policies, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and limit access to authorised users.
Remove or disable unnecessary user accounts.
File System and Permissions:
Restrict file and directory permissions to prevent unauthorised access.
Use the principle of least privilege, which means granting only the minimum permissions required for each user or process.
Service Hardening:
Disable or remove unnecessary services and daemons.
Configure services to run with the least privilege necessary.
Audit and Monitoring:
Implement auditing and monitoring tools to track and log system activity.
Regularly review and analyze logs for signs of security incidents.
Intrusion Detection and Prevention:
Deploy intrusion detection and prevention systems to detect and block suspicious activities.
Encryption:
Use encryption for data at rest and data in transit, especially for sensitive information.
Implement secure protocols like SSH and HTTPS.
Network Security:
Segment the network to isolate different server functions.
Use virtual LANs (VLANs) and network access control lists (ACLs) to control traffic.
Backup and Recovery:
Regularly back up data and create a disaster recovery plan.
Security Updates and Vulnerability Scanning:
Stay informed about security vulnerabilities through mailing lists or websites.
Regularly scan your server for vulnerabilities and apply patches as needed.
Security Policies and Documentation:
Develop and maintain security policies and documentation to ensure consistency and accountability.
It’s important to note that baseline hardening should be an ongoing process, as new vulnerabilities and threats emerge over time. Regularly reviewing and updating your security measures is crucial to maintaining the integrity of your server. Additionally, consider using server hardening guides specific to your server’s operating system or platform, as they may have unique best practices and recommendations.
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