Server Hardening Process

Anyone with a clear overview of how devastating the server breach can be will know the importance of server hardening. In 2022, the US reported that the average cost of a data breach in the State is $9.44 million, an increase from the $9.05 million recorded in 2021.

It’s not surprising that people target the server as it is the most critical aspect of any IT-oriented organization or business. After all, all online transactions pass through a network of servers, and any breach can quickly put a company on the brink of extinction.

A report suggested that 60% of start-ups close up within six months due to a breach in their server or cybercrimes. So while the big guns might not fold up quickly in the wake of an attack, they tend to suffer significant losses that might not be recoverable within a few months or years.

Knowing the dangers of a server breach, big companies invest heavily in server hardening to ensure they don’t fall victim to cyber-attacks from competitors or other sources of enemies. In 2021, the US government allocated about $18.78 billion for cybersecurity, the reason stated in the U.S  Department of defenses’ cybersecurity report.

Competitors deterred from engaging the United States and our allies in an armed conflict are using cyberspace operations to steal our technology, disrupt our government and commerce, challenge our democratic processes, and threaten our critical infrastructure.

Therefore, we will discuss what server hardening is, the server hardening processes and why you must keep your server protected against unforeseen attacks.

What’s Server Hardening?

Server hardening, as described by the National Institute Of Standards and Technology (NIST), is a process intended to eliminate a means of attack by patching vulnerabilities and turning off non-essential services. A more transparent look at the definition gives an insight into the reasons for server hardening and how you can effectively protect your server from cyber-attacks.

Server hardening is required to prevent your system’s exposure to various cybercrimes. Also, it involves disabling unsolicited applications, accounts, permissions, and other related features which attackers might explore to gain access to your server and perpetrate their evils.

How does Server Hardening work?

By taking a series of steps, the server hardening process aims to ensure that every part of a server is secured. Unfortunately, the in-built security system of most operating systems needs to be powerfully built to handle server hardening as they focus more on usability, communications, and functionality. Therefore companies utilize various visibility software to ensure concrete protection of their server. This software allows you to detect various aspects of your server and ensure the proper execution of different hardening processes.

Steps involved in the Server Hardening Process

While it might sound simple, the process involved in server hardening contains a series of actions that you must carry out to ensure the achievement of a reliable output. Each step contributes toward achieving a hardened server; therefore, you must consider all the server security processes. It is also important to note that this step doesn’t follow a particular order, ensure that you didn’t leave any of the steps out during your server hardening process. Here, we outline a ten steps approach to server processing and how each step contributes to effective hardening and protection against cyber attacks.

• Secure the location of your server

As discussed earlier, server plays an essential role in the overall performance of your business as they hold confidential information and data about your organization. Therefore, you must ensure that the area you’re using as a server control room is well protected. Control physical access to the area as insiders have more than 70% potential of inflicting server attacks. Trust apart, leave room for those employed guys to do the job.

Furthermore, you should ensure that all necessary settings are at optimum efficiency. For example, check for the excellent organization of your server’s proximity, temperature, and other critical aspects.

• Provide firewall protection

Firewalls are instructions that act as barriers between your server and other external networks. They thereby filter the to and fro traffic on your network and remove any unsafe services while allowing only specific services. With this, your server has first-time protection against cyber attacks.

Firewalls are of different classes. The first types are mainly for public services, accessible by anyone on the internet. The second class is a private service only authorized accounts can access. Lastly, the third class includes internet services optimally restricted from the outside world. Therefore, you must ensure that your firewall is up to date to achieve optimal protection against cyber attacks.

• Keep the Operating System and Software updated.

Upgrading your Software and OS isn’t just for fun. They prevent loopholes due to outdated Software, which attackers can easily manipulate and carry out their harmful operations. When Software is released, attackers usually devise means of breaking down the integrity of the Software. Once they achieve their aims, the developers detect untoward actions swiftly, and then they fix the loopholes and double their software security. Afterward, they release a more efficient and secure Operating System or Software. Thus, it would help if you were adept with any upgrade made to your Operating System or Software and effect as soon as possible.

• Have a backup and restoration plan.

The truth is, you can’t be sure of when your server will suffer an attack. Therefore you must always back up your server data to ensure that there is no critical loss of organizational information in the face of an attack. Data backup deserves thorough analysis before planning. Critically consider Factors such as costs, required efforts, speed, and efficiency of the blockage. Also, the space needed for the backup should be phantom into your backup plan to avoid unnecessary interruptions during backups.

In addition, choose a secured location for your backups, either locally or cloud-based. Finally, ensure your backup is wholly done and prevent interruptions during jams.

The reliable backup provided by Storware Backup and Recovery is often the last line of defense against threats or unforeseen accidents in the data center.

• Install Secure Socket Layer Certificates

SSL certificate establishes a secure connection between two servers through a secure protocol, HTTPS. SSL  is a public infrastructure that utilizes the RSA encryption and authentication method through security certificates to protect against potential server attacks. With an SSL certificate, your site gains protection from eavesdropping and attacks. Also, it possesses the most robust encryption that a hacker can’t easily decipher with the help of algorithms such as ECC, RSA, and more.

Moreover, SSL Certificate also helps with a higher ranking of your website on SEO. This feature helps build your brand value and ensures you easily reach your target customers.

• Uninstall any redundant software

A series of unnecessary Software running on your server can pose a severe threat as a hacker might target this Software. Apart from the attack, it also leaves your server untidy. And because you use this Software sparingly, you might not notice any untoward activity on the Software. But, unfortunately, these flaws, in return, grant hackers the leverage to manipulate your server and unleash a cyberattack.

• Install VPNs

Virtual Private Networks (VPN) ensure a secure connection between your server and external networks. Using VPN, your data are in the form of encryption, thereby making your location untraceable. VPN protects your connection from internet users, browsers, and even Software. Also, VPN allows you to evade a data cap, limiting the amount of data you can consume on an internet service. Furthermore, you can access various other locations and get information without boundary restrictions. For your server to run smoothly, VPNs can come in handy. While there are various VPNs, it’s advisable to get VPNs from a reliable source.

• Control server security.

Passwords must be strong and unique, and the goal for your choice of server password must be loud and clear. All employees that have access to the server must be ready to follow your password protocol. Also, ensure that you attach two-step authentication verification to your server. This action will allow you to detect an attempted breach from outsiders, and you can quickly regain control over your server. Furthermore, you should have a timeout inactivity time frame and password expiration policy. These steps will ensure that attackers don’t breach your password.

• Manage all configurations efficiently

While it might seem arduous to manage the series of configurations on your server, it is rewarding. Aside from the protection it offers your server, it also lets you know how multiple systems across your server interact.

• Apply software patches when due

Leaving your Software unpatched tends to expose your server hacking. Therefore, it’s imperative to apply patches as soon as possible. Also, your server deserves continuous monitoring to prevent a cyberattack from escaping your view. After all, the goal is to keep your server free of attack from hackers.

Why should you ensure server security?

The benefits of server security can’t be over-emphasized. Hackers won’t stop coming, and insiders might breach your server. And since you already know the danger of having your server breached, it’s no longer a debate about whether you should secure your server. Therefore, always ensure that you keep track of your server monitoring processes. This action will enable your organization to remain active in business, provide a good user experience and prevent losses that might impact your business negatively.

Summing Up

While we’ve looked at several ways of securing your server and how important it’s to have well-established server security, you must have multiple processes running simultaneously. In addition, the more they implemented strategies, the more they offered protection. Cybercrimes keep growing, and businesses suffer losses; the ball is now in your head to decide whether to protect your server against attacks or leave it vulnerable.