Server Hardening

Server hardening is the process of securing a server by reducing its surface of vulnerability, which is the attack surface. This is achieved by minimizing the number of services and features that are available on the server, as well as by securing these services and features so that they are less likely to be exploited by attackers.

Server hardening can be achieved through a number of different measures, including:

• Disabling unnecessary services and features: Many servers come with a wide range of services and features that are not needed for the specific tasks that the server is being used for. By disabling these unnecessary services and features, you can reduce the number of potential attack vectors that an attacker can use to compromise the server.

• Patching and updating: Keeping the operating system and applications on the server up to date with the latest patches and updates can help to fix vulnerabilities and reduce the risk of exploitation.

• Configuring firewalls and access controls: Properly configuring firewalls and access controls can help to prevent unauthorized access to the server, as well as to limit the actions that authorized users can perform on the server.

• Implementing strong passwords and two-factor authentication: Using strong passwords and implementing two-factor authentication can help to prevent unauthorized access to the server.

• Regularly monitoring and reviewing the server's security: Regularly monitoring and reviewing the security of the server can help to identify and address any potential vulnerabilities or weaknesses.

Since the tasks of the servers are not same, different measures needs to be followed for different servers. For example for a web server these measures also needs to be taken:

• Enable HTTPS: Use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS) to encrypt communication between the web server and client. This helps to protect sensitive information such as login credentials and prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.

• Regularly monitor and review the web server's security: Regularly monitor the web server for any security issues or vulnerabilities, and perform regular reviews to ensure that the server is properly configured and secure.

• Use security best practices: Follow security best practices when configuring and maintaining the web server, such as using least privilege principles, keeping error messages informative but not overly revealing, and avoiding the use of hardcoded secrets.

Best way to follow is to create organization security policies for security measures. These policies needs to be followed very carefully and needs to be reviewed all time.