Get To Know About AD Security And The Way To Implement It
Active Directory (or AD) is the Microsoft Windows Directory Service, which enables IT admins to handle apps, data, users, and other aspects associated with organizational network. The reason behind enforcing AD security in on-premises is to secure company systems, employee business credentials, software programming, sensitive business contents, etc., from unauthorized access. This post is going to brief readers with reason and best practices to protect Active directory in enterprise premises.
Why AD Security is Needed In Business?
Several enterprises face different issues when they have to maintain the current list of Office 365 groups or users because of its self-service nature. Major problem arises when it is about using data sources via on-premises gateway. This hurdle comes every time when a new group is originated in Office 365 and it is to be appended in the list of gateway users. Well, Active Directory is a centralized way of authorizing end users, applications, and access throughout the enterprise. Attackers target on all these aspects and are focused on harming premises with these things. If an attacker successfully gains access to the AD system, he or she is having access to all associated database, user accounts, applications, etc. All these statements state that an Active Directory security is mandatory in premises. If AD protection is not availed, it will result in widespread fallout from where there will be no chance of recovery.
Active Directory Security Best Practices
At least seven best security measures are available that should be adopted by IT departments to ensure holistic protection all around the Active Directory.
- Gain Control Over the AD Admin Privileges – This AD security measure advises all account admins to be in a relax mode and focus at the time of implement this measure. Here, they have to review all IT executives and only render admin privileges and superuser access to those who are actually in need of them to perform their roles. Administrators can make use of PowerShell Just Enough Administration (JEA) and a PAM solution (if required) to verify that this access is restricted in the most granular way practical.
- Make Use of Real-time Windows Alerting – This AD security tip advises account administrators to organize immediate reporting of unusual access attempts. They have to prepare and provide complete Windows auditing process, and give alert either for internal or external unauthorized access. Also, admins are having responsibility of paying special attention towards the auditing system of Windows Active Directory change. This will help in meeting security standards like PCI, GDPR, HIPAA, SOX, etc.
- Periodically Check Default Security Settings – When an administrator is done with Active Directory installation and configuration, it is his or her responsibility to check it timely. At least, once in a week, administrators should have a look at default security settings and check whether they are correct or not. If yes, no issue; else investigate the case where settings are altered without any prior notice.
- Implement Least Privilege Principles in Roles – All the essential data and applications rights for employee roles in an organization should be reviewed. Verify that employees are privileged with their minimum rights, required to perform their respective roles. Also, ensure the privileges’ separation to achieve a strong auditing ability between roles, and to help in preventing lateral movement when account is compromised.
- Verify Microsoft AD Backup and Recovery – Another AD security guideline suggest enterprises to take regular backup of AD configuration setting on regular basis. At least, they should try taking of backup on weekly basis, if they are unable to create a replica on daily basis. In addition to this, administrators are strongly recommended to practice the disaster recovery procedures to achieve rapid recovery at the time of AD integrity breach occurrence.
Please Note – Creating a strong backup without recovery procedure is useless. It results in sleepless nights at the time of recovering data from AD leaked incidence. - Periodically Fix All System Vulnerabilities – This AD security measure is considered as one of the most important IT department task to address and patch vulnerabilities. Ensure a rapid, effective, and efficient patching and maintenance procedure for Microsoft Active Directory and other flaws. Administrators are suggested not to ignore small vulnerabilities as well because, in future, they might result in a big threat.
- Centralized and Automated Working Platform – Adopt a consolidated platform from where an admin can centralize all the reports, reviews, controls, and work with their privileges. This will help in managing business operations in a simple manner, leading to less complication while achieving Active Directory security.
Time to Conclude
It is important to understand AD vulnerabilities and implement security and least privilege access controls for securing domain accounts. This will help in keeping entire IT ecosystem safe and secure. Effective and efficient features for data visibility, reporting, management, and auditing will strengthen existing AD security and assure system’s integrity significantly.
