Domain controller hardening checklist From a Domain perspective, all properties of all objects within the Domain are replicated to all Domain Controllers within that Domain only. The 3. 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 May 12, 2025 · Securing Domain Controllers Against Attack discusses policies and settings that, although similar to the recommendations for the implementation of secure administrative hosts, contain some domain controller-specific recommendations to help ensure that the domain controllers and the systems used to manage them are well-secured. While there is no dictate that states organizations should upgrade to Windows Server 2022 before support ends for older Windows Server versions, it's a good idea to consider a Windows Server 2022 migration, particularly for critical infrastructure such as domain controllers. Nov 5, 2024 · This document is meant for use in conjunction with other applicable STIGs including such topics as, Active Directory Forest, Windows Domain Controllers, and Domain Name Service (DNS). There are several steps you can take to at least increase the security of your domain controllers. Oct 8, 2018 · The Windows Server Hardening Checklist | UpGuard. A tree is a collection of Active Directory domains that begins at a single root domain. The Windows Server 2022 STIG includes requirements for both domain controllers and member servers/standalone systems. Apr 19, 2025 · Domain Controller Hardening Domain Controllers are the backbone of the AD network, and therefore, they have to be protected by a multilayered security approach. By default, Backup operators, Account operators can login to Domain Controllers, which is dangerous. com Built-in Accounts Verify Administrator account should have Smart card is required for interactive logon [Enabled] Docs. Second, any new exploit that compromises your web server could also compromise your entire network when the web server and the domain controller are on the same computer. This access control right allows for the replication of secret data within an AD environment. Nov 3, 2021 · Getting a hardening checklist or server hardening policy is easy enough. I typically have two approaches Create baseline templates All devices (applies to every device) pinned at the top level OUs with devices Busca trabajos relacionados con Domain controller hardening checklist o contrata en el mercado de freelancing más grande del mundo con más de 24m de trabajos. Secure RDP With Strong Encryption. Aug 9, 2021 · This document is meant for use in conjunction with other applicable STIGs including such topics as Active Directory Domain, Active Directory Forest, and Domain Name Service (DNS). Aug 30, 2016 · Compromising a domain controller can provide the most expedient path to wide scale propagation of access, or the most direct path to destruction of member servers, workstations, and Active Directory. The central store is in the SYSVOL folder. See More: Windows 11: Microsoft Office Gets a Fluent-Design Makeover. ) & only use custom delegation groups. Hence, securing Tier 0 is the first critical step towards your Active Directory hardening journey and this article was written to help with it. With NTLMv1 the encryption is based on DES (bad, bad, bad). Apr 19, 2024 · The Windows CIS Benchmarks are written for Active Directory domain-joined systems using Group Policy, not standalone/workgroup systems. May 23, 2024 · Behind the scenes, AD runs on servers called domain controllers. Domain Controller (DC) Security: Implementing physical security controls, patch management, and access restrictions. It is common for member servers to be automatically synced with a domain controller after joining a domain, but there are some that stand alone and require NTP to sync with an external source for accurate timing. Not Defined. You switched accounts on another tab or window. Additionally, administrators can use AD to manage user permissions, deploy software updates, and troubleshoot network issues, making it a vital tool for keeping your organization DoD Windows Server 2019 Domain Controller STIG (Machine) 20H2: v2r1: DoD Windows Server 2019 Domain Controller STIG (User) 20H2: v2r1: DoD Windows Server 2019 Member Server STIG (Machine) 20H2: v2r1: DoD Windows Server 2019 Member Server STIG (User) 20H2: v2r1: DoD Windows Defender Antivirus STIG: 20H2: v2r1: DoD Windows Firewall STIG: 20H2: v1r7 May 27, 2024 · When you create a domain within Active Directory, the local Administrator account automatically gets into the Administrator domain account. You signed in with another tab or window. 3. hardening routines. This post focuses on Domain Controller security with some cross-over into Active Directory security. Oct 17, 2023 · Also Read Domain Controller Security Best Practices – Hardening (Checklist) The logical framework encompasses elements such as forests and domains, while the physical system embodies components like Domain Controllers (DCs), servers, and physical subnets. Thank you in advance. Target Operational Environment: Managed Apr 18, 2025 · 4. The requirements were developed from DoD consensus as well as Windows security guidance by Microsoft Corporation. Implementation Steps. Configure your domain controllers with built-in and freely available configuration tools to make security configuration baselines you can enforce with group policy objects Protect all volumes in domain controller servers by using BitLocker Drive Encryption. 4 Ensure 'Act as part of the operating system' is set to 'No One' 2. Ideally, in the case of domain servers, the time should be synced to a time server. They authenticate every user, enforce every Group Policy Object, and replicate the credentials that keep the business running, making them irresistible to attackers. Become familiar with your domain controller operating system. 3. In 2020 Microsoft released a patch that would fix Zerologon vulnerability that affected domain controllers. Limiting the services and features running on domain controllers can reduce the attack surface of your AD environment. to harden our DCs, can somebody provide me with a Sep 27, 2023 · Domain controller server hardening reduces the attack surface available to compromise active directory security. The vulnerability allowed attackers to gain access into domain controllers. Active Directory is a critical service and you want to ensure the domain controllers are healthy. Also Read: Domain Controller Security Best Practices – Hardening (Checklist) Download our step-by-step checklist to secure your platform: An objective, consensus-driven security guideline for Microsoft Windows Server. Cisco Wireless LAN Controller 7 (1. Securing your Active Directory is not a one-time thing, it’s an ongoing process. Patching although not considered configuration hardening, it is as important to verify and enforce the latest security patches for the OS, domain controller, firewall, antivirus, and applications. e. server hardening checklist General P Never connect an IIS server to the internet until it is fully hardened. ; DNS on clients – Verify that the DNS records on clients (as well as other servers) direct to the new domain controller to ensure successful logins; otherwise, bad perpetrators may compromise your network. Do not install a printer. Troubleshooting checklist. Nov 9, 2023 · The Default Domain Policy and the Default Domain Controllers Policy are spesial GPOs with special GUIDs. P Do not install a printer. Restrict software installation on DCs. Administrative access to every domain controller in the forest. And, 2022 upgrade brings the advantage of enhanced security capabilities. Checklist Role: Active Directory Server; Known Issues: Not Provided. Feb 26, 2022 · Disable Spool Services on domain controllers! ADCS; Not AD but also review: Post Compromise Active Directory Checklist. Configuring audit policies Post installation, ADAudit Plus automatically discovers the local domain and the domain controllers running in it. Set Jan 28, 2019 · This document is meant for use in conjunction with other applicable STIGs including such topics as Active Directory Domain, Active Directory Forest, and Domain Name Service (DNS). May 14, 2025 · This guide provides the fundamental concepts used when troubleshooting Active Directory domain join issues. Disable unnecessary services, restrict access to critical services, and ensure that only authorized personnel have administrative privileges. Best Practice on a Domain Controller for Security. Es gratis registrarse y presentar tus propuestas laborales. Nov 1, 2024 · When possible, domain controllers should be configured with Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chips and all volumes in the domain controller servers should be protected via BitLocker Drive Encryption. and one about preparing to be attacked: Apr 9, 2025 · This document is meant for use in conjunction with other applicable STIGs including such topics as Active Directory Domain, Active Directory Forest, and Domain Name Service (DNS). In Windows domain environments, create a GPO and group policies as shown in the remediation information. Secure Domain Controllers. Mar 24, 2025 · This document is meant for use in conjunction with other applicable STIGs including such topics as Active Directory Domain, Active Directory Forest, and Domain Name Service (DNS). At a high level, a domain trust establishes the ability for users in one domain to authenticate to resources or act as a security principal in another domain, a trust does is link up the authentication systems of two Remove local admin rights from low privileged users in the domains and allows authentication tra ic to flow between them through (accounts with elevated privileges, such as members of Domain Admins) from theft by using Just Enough Administration (JEA), Just in Time Administration (JIT), Credential Guard, Remote Credential Guard, and Advanced Threat Analytics. All domain controllers must renew their secrets every 30 days. Harden domain controllers. Active Directory relies on network communication for authentication and replication. Apr 26, 2024 · Domain Controller Health Check. Gratis mendaftar dan menawar pekerjaan. BitLocker adds a small performance overhead, but protects the directory against compromise even if disks are removed from the server. Similarly, restrict access to hypervisors that contain domain controllers. Swap the underlying server for Core and you don't notice much difference. Mar 18, 2025 · Operating system hardening Operating system selection. This is where SID filtering comes in. Protect AD Admin Credentials. CHS doesn’t just apply a baseline, it learns your needs, identifies misconfigurations, tests changes, and continuously monitors, all without any disruptions. Windows IIS Server hardening checklist 1. Note: For organizations that have implemented the Active Directory administrative tier model, or are striving to embrace, their Privileged Access Workstations (PAWs) pose a […] To add a domain: Log in to the ADAudit Plus web console Domain Settings Add Domain Enter the necessary details. To limit exposure, domain controller security should be a top priority. The windows server 2022 upgrade brings a new era of innovations and improvements in server management. Jan 21, 2025 · The following Active Directory hardening checklist helps organizations minimize their attack surface and effectively deal with cyber threats. If some domain controllers have not changed their password for more than 45 days, indicating their secrets are not renewed. net The approach presented focuses on both efficiency and effectiveness, without breaking application functionality. Split into 4 parts: Domain Actions; User Account Actions; Computer Account Actions SYSTEM HARDENING CHECKLIST 2 1-877-4-CIMCOR | CIMCOR. May 4, 2023 · Hardening Domain Controller Windows Server 2012 , 2019 ,2022 Import all GPOs pertaining to the O. It gains default membership in the Domain Admins and Administrators groups of that domain. For example, the Center for Internet Security (CIS) provides hardening checklists ; Microsoft offers checklists for Windows devices; Cisco provides checklists for its routers; and the National Vulnerability Database hosted by NIST provides checklists for a wide range of Jan 16, 2025 · Hi all! Jerry here again to continue the AD hardening series. A domain controller syncs their times, after joining the domain. The blog is called Apr 19, 2023 · Also Read Domain Controller Security Best Practices – Hardening (Checklist) Software Restriction Policies The greatest threats to Active Directory domain is the distribution of malware or viruses. 4 Ensure 'Act as part of the operating system' is set to 'No One' Furthermore, I argue most admins wouldn't notice much of a difference. P Place the server in a physically secure location. Each domain in a tree shares a boundary with the other domains. Two trees in the same forest cannot share a name (namespace). Alternatively, in a domain environment, use the Active Directory GPO (Group Policy Object) Management features on your domain controller to create centralized configuration policies to deploy to all member computers. Enable Read-Only Domain Controllers (RODCs) where full DCs aren’t needed. It's free to sign up and bid on jobs. to manage them. Tipp: Bei VMs kann es nach dem Anwenden der Security Baseline zu dem folgenden Fehler bei der Anwendung der lokalen GPO [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]. Jul 12, 2024 · 2. . Apr 26, 2022 · The release of Windows Server 2022 ushered in several important security enhancements. 0) Cisco IOS 15 (4. Aug 3, 2023 · Addresses the Windows default audit policy settings, baseline recommended audit policy settings, and the more aggressive recommendations from Microsoft, for workstation and server products. Kaydolmak ve işlere teklif vermek ücretsizdir. 9. Ongoing synchronization — Domain controllers should continuously synchronize time with a time server. But there are a few servers that stand alone and require NTP to sync with an external source for accurate timing. 6 Microsoft Network Client . • Do not install the IIS server on a domain controller. P Do not install the IIS server on a domain controller. Hence, domain controllers must be synchronized to a time server to avoid any problems. Under Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options, double-click Domain controller: Allow computer account re-use during domain join. A Domain Controller is an Active Directory server that acts as the brain for a Windows server Built-in Accounts Verify Administrator account should have Account is sensitive and cannot be delegated [Enabled] Docs. When using NTLMv2 the encryption has more inputs and uses HMAC-MD5 (not great by today's standards but significantly better than DES). Enable NTP Oct 24, 2023 · DHCP and DNS – Confirm that if the previous domain controller handles DHCP and DNS, we seamlessly transfer these services to the new domain controller. Active Directory Security Checklist. External time source — Standalone servers should synchronize with a reliable external time source. Oct 11, 2022 · In a new or existing group policy that applies to all domain controllers, configure the settings in the steps below. At a high level, a domain trust establishes the ability for users in one domain to authenticate to resources or act as a security principal in another domain, a trust does is link up the authentication systems of two Remove local admin rights from low privileged users in the domains and allows authentication tra ic to flow between them through May 4, 2023 · To compare with the configurations on your Domain Controller click on the Compare to Effective State button, which compares the selected baseline with the current system state. Replicate domain controllers between sites. As we all know, an out-of-the-box server is not configured with the necessary Aug 30, 2016 · Placing an IIS web server and domain controller on the same computer seriously limits your security account options. The presence of branch offices and browsing of internet websites creates multiple potential entry points for attackers to gain access to a domain. But there are many things one can do to prevent such attacks, secure domain resources, and protect Active Directory. Link the Windows IIS Server hardening checklist By Michael Cobb General • Do not connect an IIS Server to the Internet until it is fully hardened. The domain controller security policy should be defined in a separate GPO, which should be linked to an OU of domain controller. Administered sessions need to start exclusively from trusted secure networks. 6. Apr 12, 2025 · Add admin accounts to “Protected Users” group (requires Windows Server 2012 R2 Domain Controllers, 2012R2 DFL for domain protection). Sep 21, 2023 · In a domain environment the response is forwarded to a domain controller which verifies the challenge response. 5 Ensure 'Add workstations to domain' is set to 'Administrators' (DC only) Mar 28, 2023 · Also Read Domain Controller Security Best Practices – Hardening (Checklist) DCDiag: How to Check Domain Controller Health using Powershell Conclusion In conclusion, DCDiag is an essential tool for administrators who manage Active Directory environments. Key strategies include least privileged access review, regular permission allocation check, secure authentication, and configuration management of your domain controllers. Microsoft. The Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R2 Domain Controller Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) is published as a tool to improve the security of Department of Defense (DoD) information systems. Malicious Domain Blocking and Reporting Plus Prevent connection to harmful web domains. We’ll cover common AD hacking techniques such as RDP brute-force, LLMNR (Link-Local Multicast Name Resolution) using responder, mimikatz, and Kerberoasting. 1. This profile extends the “Level 1 – Domain Controller” profile. Get this checklist for Windows Server security hardening practices to reduce the risk of attackers compromising your critical systems and data. 6 Number of previous logons to cache (in case domain controller is not available) – 4 logon or fewer . Domain controller: Allow server operators to schedule tasks: For the Enterprise Domain Controller and SSLF Domain Controller profile(s), the recommended value is Disabled. 1 If an attacker is able to compromise a domain controller, they may be able to steal the password hash of the KRBTGT account. X 3. Disable all inactive admin accounts and remove from privileged groups. c. d. Reload to refresh your session. Jan 27, 2021 · The servers that are members of domains have their times synced automatically. Harden virtual domain controllers. Apr 19, 2024 · The Windows CIS Microsoft Windows Benchmarks are written for Active Directory domain-joined systems using Group Policy, not standalone/workgroup systems. These host’s administrators can control the virtual domain controllers, so keep those admin accounts separate from other virtualization Jan 2, 2025 · Domain logons are processed by domain controllers, and as such, they have the audit logs for that activity, not the local system. This update adds new behavior that prevents the elevation of privilege vulnerabilities described in CVE-2024-26248 and CVE-2024-29056 but does not enforce it unless both Windows domain controllers and Windows clients in the environment are updated. Checklist: Chapter 4 Hardening Domain Controllers:Checklist: Chapter 4 Hardening Domain Controllers:Use the following checklists to ensure that you have properly implemented all security settings and procedures prescribed in Chapter 4. And whatever you do, don’t mess with the default domain policy or default domain controllers policy. The package’s primary goal is to import new security baselines. Ensure all built-in groups but Administrator are denied from logging on to Domain Controllers user User Right Assignments. X . Doman Controllers Members Servers Users Computers. Sep 7, 2023 · Level 2 – Domain Controller. Add all admin accounts to Protected Users group (requires Windows 2012 R2 DCs). Nov 4, 2016 · Active Directory security effectively begins with ensuring Domain Controllers (DCs) are configured securely. Stand alone servers will have security audits available and can be configured to show passes and/or failures. In this blog, Victor King reviews how to harden your organization against these attacks through ITDR. P Use two network interfaces in the server: one for admin and one for the network. Disable and rename the local Administrator account on any machine that is part of a domain where uniquely named domain admin accounts will be used. Because of this, domain controllers should be secured separately and more stringently than the general Windows infrastructure. An Active Directory Domain partitions the Active Directory forest to allow smaller AD databases which replicate domain data separately from other domains. 15: 1608: August 24 Feb 11, 2022 · However, when we get the templates, we need to copy and paste them into the central store of our domain controller. Feb 27, 2020 · This Windows IIS server hardening checklist will ensure server hardening policies are implemented correctly during installation. P May 13, 2024 · Ensure Domain Controllers Have renewed their secrets within 45 days. If the domain serves as the forest root domain, this account also gains membership in the Enterprise Admins group. 5. Darüber hinaus, wenn Sie eine Virtualisierungsplattform eines Drittanbieters einsetzen, erwägen Sie die Bereitstellung virtueller Domänencontroller auf Hyper-V in Windows Server. Limit AD admin membership (DA, EA, Schema Admins, etc. active-directory-gpo, question. The Windows Server 2016 STIG includes requirements for both domain controllers and member servers/standalone systems. May 30, 2024 · ドメイン コントローラーは、企業がサーバー、ワークステーション、ユーザー、およびアプリケーションを効率的に管理できるようにするサービスやデータを提供するのに加えて、Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) データベースの物理記憶域を提供します。 Mar 21, 2025 · CIS Microsoft Azure Foundations Benchmark provides a step-by-step checklist for securing Azure. The Windows Server 2019 STIG includes requirements for both domain controllers and member servers/standalone systems. Apr 28, 2025 · Server Hardening with CalCom. Default domain controller settings have them change their passwords automatically every 30 Busca trabajos relacionados con Domain controller hardening checklist o contrata en el mercado de freelancing más grande del mundo con más de 24m de trabajos. Compiled from thousands of real world risk assessments that Varonis has conducted, our Active Directory Security Audit Checklist will help you pinpoint where you might be vulnerable and what you need to do right now to harden your AD infrastructure. Domain Controller Default Legacy Client Enterprise Client High Security Administrators, Authenticated Users, ENTERPRISE DOMAIN CONTROLLERS, Everyone, Pre-Windows 2000 Compatible Access. If you have domain controllers you should run an Active Directory health check on them once a month. Oct 3, 2023 · Basic Windows Server 2022 Hardening. Maybe something that was built off NIST and personal changes. Dec 2, 2021 · 4. 2 Ensure 'Access this computer from the network' is set to 'Administrators, Authenticated Users, ENTERPRISE DOMAIN CONTROLLERS' (DC only) - Administrators, Authenticated Users, ENTERPRISE DOMAIN CONTROLLERS: 2. Go to the Group Policy Management tool on your Domain Controller (via Server Manager), and attach/link the GPO to any of the OUs in your environment. AD Administrative Tier Model Refresher You will be importing the GPOs contained within the Build Kit into group policy management console (GPMC) on your domain controller. They're available on both Azure and Azure Government. Access Control. CalCom helps organizations move beyond basic hardening scripts, offering a fully automated, intelligent solution with CalCom’s Hardening Suite (CHS). Active Directory Security Checklist ☐ #1 Limit the use of Domain Admins and other Privileged Groups Members of Domain Admins and other privileged groups are very powerful. They can have access to the entire domain, all systems, all data, computers, laptops, and so on. In the event of a disaster, your domain controllers fail over to Azure as VMs Sep 29, 2020 · Hi, Besides the links shared above, you could also take a look at the Windows server 2016 security guide as a reference and the blogs provided by OrinThomas which discuessed "Third Party Security Configuration Baselines" and"Hardening IIS via Security Control Configuration". Place the server in a physically secure location. 1. corp-sec. Use two network interfaces in the server — one for admin and Jul 10, 2024 · Using security baselines in your organization. X Aug 7, 2020 · Workstations that are allowed to communicate to Domain Controllers pose a risk of lateral movement. • Use two network interfaces in the server — one for admin and Jun 13, 2023 · The Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit is not a new tool, but Microsoft has made some changes to the baselines for Windows Server 2022. Not Defined Administrators, Authenticated Users, ENTERPRISE DOMAIN CONTROLLERS Chapter 4 - Hardening Domain Controllers Security A collection of awesome security hardening guides, best practices, checklists, benchmarks, tools and other resources. com Built-in Groups Verify Enterpise Apr 21, 2025 · Domain controllers are the crown jewels of any Active Directory (AD) deployment. The first step of the planning of disaster recovery requires ensuring that in case of failure of servers in the first location, the services and user computers seamlessly reconnect to the second site. 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 Apr 28, 2023 · Domain controller hardening is the process of strengthening the servers that run Active Directory to reduce the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches and service disruption. Windows Server systems generate multiple logs, which can be configured to be more or less verbose. DNS is often the root cause of many network problems. This allows their clocks to stay accurate. The presenter has implemented hardening on several hundred servers across multiple companies. Server Hardening Checklist (Bonus) Dec 20, 2024 · The Domain Controller, being the brain of the Active Directory domain, needs special protection. 2. Attack Path Management: Conducting automated attack path validation and implementing network segmentation. A parent-child trust relationship is formed when a domain is added under another domain in a tree. Search for jobs related to Domain controller hardening checklist or hire on the world's largest freelancing marketplace with 22m+ jobs. A threat actor with elevated rights could take advantage of sIDHistory to copy a SID from a trusting domain (for example the SID of a Domain Admins group member) and add it to the sIDHistory attribute of a security principal in the trusted domain—thus granting the attacker admin rights in the trusting domain. 1 Automatic configuration 2. exhibit one or more of the following characteristics: are intended for environments or use cases where security is paramount; acts as defense in depth measure; may negatively inhibit the utility or performance of the All checklists and scripts referenced in this presentation are available at: www. If the Domain Controller becomes the target of an attack, it is fatal to the entire organization. i am deploying new DCs for our environment,im preparing images for this case. General a. Windows. • Do not install a printer. If 1 site/branch goes down you can run off the other DCs; Setup hybrid AD, with DC’s on prem and Active Directory in the cloud. Learn how to secure accounts, registries, virtual directories, script mappings and more. 6. Domain Controllers (DCs) are important in Active Directory and have to be supported with a larger protective barrier. A compromised KRBTGT account gives an attacker unrestricted access in the domain. This time I want to address the concept of least privilege as it applies to Active Directory. Alternativ stellen Sie für virtuelle Domänencontroller sicher, dass sie auf separaten physischen Hosts von anderen virtuellen Maschinen betrieben werden. Install only the IIS modules you need. Monitoring and Assessment. Sep 30, 2019 · The Windows CIS Benchmarks are written for Active Directory domain-joined systems using Group Policy, not standalone/workgroup systems. 7 Prompt user to change password before expiration – 14 days* X . Sep 19, 2024 · Here’s a checklist that you can follow and tick off the boxes to strengthen your Active Directory. From active directory management to being a domain controller, the capabilities of windows server 2022 are vast. Some other attack methods rely on NetBIOS, Link-Local Multicast Name Resolution (LLMNR), Group Policy Object (GPO) Preferences cPasswords, and password spraying. Feb 2, 2023 · Domain Controller Security Best Practices – Hardening (Checklist). The Feb 19, 2024 · Most attackers follow playbooks and whatever their final goal may be, Active Directory Domain domination (Tier 0 compromise) is a stopover in almost every attack. That means that physical security controls should prevent anyone from accessing the physical server hardware, and OS hardening removes unnecessary functionality and services that could Domain controller hardening checklist ile ilişkili işleri arayın ya da 23 milyondan fazla iş içeriğiyle dünyanın en büyük serbest çalışma pazarında işe alım yapın. Rigorously enforce the least privilege principle to limit user rights. Domain controllers are a prime target for attackers since it holds the sensitive account information used in the majority of enterprise organizations today. Jul 25, 2024 · 9. Servers within domains automatically sync time with the domain controller; Standalone servers sync with an external time source; Domain controllers sync with a time server on an ongoing basis; Centralized Event Logs. Feb 26, 2025 · Access to AD backups must be tightly controlled and treated in the same manner as access to domain controllers. May 10, 2024 · Secure the domain controllers, they are the pulse of Active Directory. Domain Name System (DNS): Anytime you have an issue joining a domain, one of the first things to check is DNS. COM Hardening a System or System & Device Hardening The process of hardening a system is typically analogous with either CIS Benchmarks or DISA STIGs to establish a root of trust through configuration recommendations. Microsoft is dedicated to providing its customers with secure operating systems, such as Windows and Windows Server, and secure apps, such as Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise and Microsoft Edge. Change Windows Firewall GPO settings to allow Domain Controllers remote administration of member servers Jan 11, 2022 · Hypervisor admins have the ability to shut down, delete, alter or interfere with those domain controllers, meaning organizations need to pay attention to who has admin rights. Items in this profile. CIS Hardened Images on Microsoft Azure are Azure certified and preconfigured to the security recommendations of the CIS Benchmarks. Additional protections include the usage of Privileged Access Workstations, which is not covered in this document. Adjustments/tailoring to some recommendations will be needed to maintain functionality if attempting to implement CIS hardening on standalone systems or a system running in the cloud. Secure your domain controllers. Jan 28, 2025 · Service Hardening. The MSFT Windows Server 2022 - Domain Security contains little more than the Default Domain Policy, and I usually run the command below instead of importing this GPO. Jul 26, 2023 · The room aims to teach basic concepts for hardening AD in line with best cyber security practices. AD DS is usually the central node in a network and therefore, AD DS makes it easy for changes made to one domain controller to be replicated to the rest of the domain controllers. 1 Digitally sign communications (always) – Enabled . Oct 11, 2023 · Keep your domain controllers physically secure within their datacenters, branch offices, and remote locations. Run virtual domain controllers on separate physical hosts from other virtual machines. They should not be unlinked, disabled or deleted. Jun 15, 2023 · 2. For the Enterprise Member Server and SSLF Member Server profile(s), the recommended value is Not Defined. Do not connect a Server to the Internet until it is fully hardened. • Use two network interfaces in the server — one for admin and Mar 2, 2023 · AD DS is based on a number of well-known protocols and standards including LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol), Kerberos, and DNS (Domain Name System). The default settings of domain controllers are not hardened, which means there are several privilege escalation paths to domain admin. You signed out in another tab or window. When selecting operating systems, it is important that an organisation preferences vendors that have demonstrated a commitment to Secure by Design and Secure by Default principles and practices, including secure programming practices and either memory-safe programming languages (such as C#, Go, Java, Ruby, Rust and Swift) or less o A domain account (can be a user or a Managed Service Account) with the following rights: Enterprise Administrator. This account can then be used to generate arbitrary (but valid) Kerberos tickets. Nothing at the top of the domain except default domain policy. Apr 29, 2025 · Data transfers between domain controllers and clients should use IPsec or TLS Encryption as encryption protocols for secure data exchange. 1) Nov 14, 2023 · Let’s imaging the following scenario: a company has two physical locations, each of them has domain controllers. • Place the server in a physically secure location. Implement solid access controls, patch/upgrade frequently, and in the last quarter alone, 266% more infostealer malware variants have been recorded targeting login credentials ! Cari pekerjaan yang berkaitan dengan Domain controller hardening checklist atau merekrut di pasar freelancing terbesar di dunia dengan 23j+ pekerjaan. Jul 7, 2014 · Domain Controller Hardening Checklist. These include: Apply security updates and patches to Logon information for domain accounts can be cached locally to allow users who have previously authenticated to do so again even if a domain controller cannot be contacted. It should be a top priority to minimize the number of people who physically enter DCs, and organizations must make it apparent that the servers in question are within those specific data centers. A forest is a collection of AD trees. Apr 27, 2024 · Apply hardening security baseline (See tip#25) Domain controllers should have limited software and roles installed on them. You should be running PAWs or Management Servers at the least and using remote ADUC, etc. The goal is to educate organizations on cybercriminal techniques that put them at risk and recommend actions to help reduce those risks. It includes deactivating superfluous services, deploying security patches and updates, establishing firewall rules, and enforcing strong password practices. Jul 21, 2022 · Hello All, I’m wondering if anyone has an SOW or just a document with best practices that you may follow when in creating a new Domain Controller or securing an existing one for locking down the domain and Domain Controller. Run frequent backups of your domain controllers; Implement Azure Site Recovery. You should not be logging onto a Domain Controller day-to-day to manage anything. Domain Controller Security. It is recommended to have no day to day user accounts in the Domain Jan 24, 2022 · WSMember – Windows Server, domain-joined member server; WSNonDomainJoined – Windows Server, non-domain-joined; WSDomainController – Windows Server, domain controller; WSMember eignet sich daher für die meisten Server. For example, the domain controller’s browser restriction list shows Internet Explorer because Edge is Microsoft’s recommended browser. In the domain controller security policy the following should be disabled: You can learn about the best practices of securing active directory in Microsoft’s TechNet page; Never store LAN manager Hash values. Target Audience: Not Provided. b. Of the three principles of Zero Trust (verify explicitly, least privilege, assume breach), least privilege is the most achievable using native Active Directory features. Make sure to move any computers you want to harden to the OU with the GPO attached. Do not install the IIS server on a domain controller. S. This is work in progress: please contribute by sending your suggestions. You may do this by creating issue tickets or forking, editing and sending pull requests. These controllers keep the directory information up-to-date and ensure everyone is on the same page. and object type. At BlackHat USA this past Summer, I spoke about AD for the security professional and provided tips on how to best secure Active Directory. Leave that default. Administrative access to all Microsoft Domain Name System (DNS) servers that the domain controllers participate with. DNS . Mar 25, 2025 · Limit access to Domain Controllers (physical and network). 2. 8 Smart card removal behavior – Lock Workstation . DNS is the heart of Active Directory (AD) and makes things work correctly, including domain join. Mar 17, 2024 · Automatic time synchronization — For servers within domains, this means automatically synchronizing with the domain controller. 19: Domain controller: LDAP server signing requirements The initial deployment phase starts with the updates released on April 9, 2024. But standalone servers need NTP for syncing to an external source. Implement Windows Defender Credential Guard. Windows IIS Server hardening checklist By Michael Cobb General • Do not connect an IIS Server to the Internet until it is fully hardened. A member server gets its time synched with a domain controller automatically after joining the domain. Using, as the example, the most recent CIS Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Benchmark v1. Minimize access to privileged functions. In the Policy Viewer you will be able to see the results and compare the two columns with the settings on the left and the settings suggested by Microsoft (which you Jan 11, 2022 · Hypervisor admins have the ability to shut down, delete, alter or interfere with those domain controllers, meaning organizations need to pay attention to who has admin rights. 0 - Build Kit to apply a Level 1 Domain Controller hardening. Logon information for domain accounts can be cached locally to allow users who have previously authenticated to do so again even if a domain controller cannot be contacted. User Account Security Hardening Disable and rename the guest account on each server. Here is a good reference for PCI DSS recommended hardening guide: Center for Internet Security; NIST National Checklist Program Repository * Halock Security Labs has experts on hand that can help your organization develop a strategy to deploy a ‘Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Domain Controller‘ in a secure, compliant, and cost-effective manner. This allows an attacker to mimic a Domain Controller and, in turn, retrieve user NTLM password hashes by requesting a Domain Controller to replicate passwords via the DS-Replication-Get-Changes-All extended right. Admin workstations & servers: Oct 6, 2022 · This document is meant for use in conjunction with other applicable STIGs including such topics as Active Directory Domain, Active Directory Forest, and Domain Name Service (DNS). Preparing the Active Directory Domain Controllers OU:StepNotes:Create the Domain Controller Baseline Policy (DCBP). Domain and Forest Design: Designing with security best practices, defining boundaries, and ensuring secure replication. To mitigate some of these risks, we can harden the Remote Desktop connections to Domain Controllers. 2 Ensure 'Access this computer from the network' is set to 'Administrators, Authenticated Users, ENTERPRISE DOMAIN CONTROLLERS' (DC only) 2. phzw svkxu cmcj ojjsqhc lbcaj udijjqu bqmmen mxjyxzs hcu bnkt