Microsoft Active Directory (AD) is a directory service created by Microsoft for managing network resources in Windows domain networks. Launched with Windows 2000 Server, it provides authentication, authorization, user and resource management services. AD uses a directory for organizing network information, including users and computers, enabling efficient and secure administration. It supports LDAP, Kerberos authentication, and DNS-based naming, making it crucial for managing and securing corporate IT environments.

Importance of Hardening Microsoft Active Directory

Ensuring the security of Active Directory is crucial for preserving the integrity and confidentiality of a company's network infrastructure. As the backbone for managing authentication and authorization data, any breach of Active Directory can lead to severe consequences, including widespread network breaches, disruptions of services, and unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.

Hence, fortifying Active Directory's defenses is imperative. Hardening Active Directory involves enhancing its security measures to diminish vulnerabilities and increase the difficulty for potential attackers to penetrate. Organizations can significantly bolster the security of their Active Directory by adhering to established best practices and employing a thorough hardening checklist, safeguarding against potential threats.

Checklist for Hardening Microsoft Active Directory

Below is a checklist that contains the category, feature, description and the tool/service for Hardening Microsoft Active Directory:

1. Microsoft Entra

Category: Authentication and Access Control

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) - Configurable across user accounts for additional verification.
• Strong Password Policies -Setup policies for password complexity, length, and expiration.
• Account Lockout Policies - Lock accounts after failed login attempts to protect against brute force attacks.
• Conditional Access Policies - Create policies based on user, location, device state, and app to control access.
• Privileged Access Management (PAM) - Manage, control, and monitor access within Azure AD with time-bound access.

2. Windows Server Active Directory

Category: Authentication and Access Control

• Group Managed Service Accounts (gMSAs) - Automate password management in domain environment and synchronize with Azure AD.

Category: LDAP Security Enhancements

• Limit LDAP Access & Enable LDAP Signing and Channel Binding - Configuration settings within AD DS to enhance LDAP protocol security.

Category: AD CS Security

• Secure AD CS Configurations - Manage certificate templates, permissions, and policies directly within AD CS.
• Audit Your AD CS Setup - Use Windows Server auditing features to monitor and review AD CS operations.
• Monitor Issued Certificates - Logging and reporting features to track certificate issuance and status.

Category: Security Monitoring and Incident Response

• Principle of Least Privilege - Enforce through meticulous AD group and role management for necessary access.

3. Microsoft Sentinel

Category: Security Monitoring and Incident Response

• Implement Security Monitoring and Alerting - A cloud-native SIEM platform for security threats detection and response.

4. Microsoft Defender

Category: Security Monitoring and Incident Response

• Monitoring and Alerting for AD-specific Threats - Identifies, detects, and investigates advanced threats and compromised identities.

When it comes to securing Active Directory, seeking help from cybersecurity providers like Cyber Node makes the process simple and effective. Our expertise ensures proactive defenses and quick threat detection, keeping your systems safe from evolving cyber risks.

Consult with us today. Reach out via email at sales@cybernode.au or visit our website at cybernode.au