Disc 1 – 500 words with two references for both W3 Discuss system hardening strategies and techniques including updates and patches, default logon/passwords, anonymous access, removal of unneeded services, separation of production and development environments, and settings such as password length and complexity by answering the following questions: Disc 2: 500 words with 2 references Discuss the phases of a typical information security incident response. Using the information presented in the handout, discuss the following questions: Purchase the answer to view it
System hardening is an essential aspect of maintaining and securing a computer system. It involves implementing various strategies and techniques to minimize the vulnerabilities and risks associated with the system. The goal is to reduce the attack surface and ensure the system is resilient against potential threats.
One of the key aspects of system hardening is keeping the system up-to-date with updates and patches. Software vendors regularly release updates and patches to address security vulnerabilities and bugs in their products. By regularly installing these updates, the system can benefit from the latest security enhancements and mitigate the risks associated with known vulnerabilities.
Default logon/passwords are another area of concern when it comes to system hardening. Many software and hardware systems come with default usernames and passwords, which are often well-known and easily exploitable by attackers. Changing these default logon credentials to unique and strong passwords is essential to prevent unauthorized access to the system.
Anonymous access is another vulnerability that needs to be addressed during system hardening. Allowing anonymous access to various services and resources can expose the system to potential malicious activities. By disabling or restricting anonymous access, the system administrator can ensure that only authorized users can access the system and its resources.
Removal of unneeded services is another important aspect of system hardening. Often, systems come with a multitude of services and applications that may not be necessary for the intended use of the system. Keeping only the essential services running reduces the attack surface and minimizes the potential risks associated with those services.
Separation of production and development environments is another strategy to consider during system hardening. It is crucial to have a clear segregation between the systems used for development and those used in production. Mixing the two environments can lead to unintended consequences, such as development code affecting production systems or unauthorized access to sensitive production data.
Settings such as password length and complexity also play a significant role in system hardening. Enforcing longer and more complex passwords makes it harder for attackers to guess or crack user credentials. Additionally, implementing other security measures, such as account lockouts and password expiration policies, further enhances the overall security posture of the system.
In conclusion, system hardening is a critical component of maintaining a secure computer system. By implementing strategies and techniques such as updates and patches, changing default logon/passwords, disabling anonymous access, removing unneeded services, separating production and development environments, and enforcing strong password settings, the system can be hardened against potential threats. It is important for system administrators to continuously evaluate and update their system hardening practices to stay ahead of evolving threats.
References:
1. Whitman, M. E., & Mattord, H. J. (2018). Principles of Information Security (6th ed.). Cengage Learning.
2. NIST. (2011). Guide to General Server Security. National Institute of Standards and Technology. Retrieved from https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/Legacy/SP/nistspecialpublication800-123.pdf
