What is server hardening? in simple terms….
Flavio Calonge
Working with B2B to use the newest tech to accelerate the digital journey experience. Cybersecurity Evangelizer. Business Mentor. Knowledge seeker. Connector
Server hardening is the process of strengthening the security of a computer server to protect it from potential threats and unauthorized access. Imagine your server as a house, and server hardening as taking steps to make that house more secure.
First, you want to close any unnecessary entry points. Just like you wouldn't leave windows or doors open in your house (see Figure 1), you disable or remove any unused services or software that could be potential vulnerabilities. This reduces the number of ways an attacker could get in.
Next, you reinforce the entry points that you need to keep open. This involves setting strong passwords and using encryption to protect sensitive data. It's like putting locks on your doors and windows to keep intruders out. You may also set up firewalls, which act like security guards, monitoring and filtering out malicious traffic.
To detect and respond to threats, you install security guards. These come in the form of antivirus and intrusion detection systems. Antivirus software scans files and programs for malware, just like a security guard checks for suspicious items. Intrusion detection systems monitor network traffic for signs of unauthorized access and alert you to any potential breaches. It's like having alarms and surveillance cameras that detect and notify you of intruders.
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Lastly, you establish strict access control measures. This means giving only authorized individuals the keys to enter your server. You create user accounts with strong passwords, limit user privileges, and implement two-factor authentication. It's like having locks on specific rooms in your house and requiring multiple forms of identification to access them (See Figure 2).
Overall, server hardening is about making your server more secure by reducing vulnerabilities, protecting sensitive information, and controlling access. It's like fortifying your server's defenses to protect it from potential threats.
How to do it? CalCom CHS does automated server hardening efficiently and gives you unparalleled peace of mind. Why not do it? If you have any questions or inquiries, please send me an email to flavioc@calcomsoftware.com.