Tag: IT infrastructure

Server Hardening Techniques

On July 30, 2024

Servers are the backbone of any IT infrastructure, hosting applications, data, and services crucial to an organization’s operations. A compromised server can lead to system outages, data breaches, and financial losses. Hardening a server mitigates these risks by reducing vulnerabilities, minimizing potential attack vectors, and ensuring that security best practices are implemented.

Following are some tips on Server Hardening

Begin with a Secure Installation

The foundation of server hardening starts with a secure installation. Whether you’re setting up a new server or configuring an existing one, follow these practices:

Use Minimal Installation: Install only the necessary components and services required for the server’s role. A minimal installation reduces the attack surface by eliminating unnecessary software that could be exploited.
Update and Patch: Update the server’s operating system and installed software with the latest security patches. Apply updates promptly to fix known vulnerabilities.
Change Default Settings: Default configurations often have known vulnerabilities. Customize settings, disable unnecessary features, and change default passwords to strengthen security.

Configure Strong Authentication and Access Controls

Authentication and access controls are crucial for preventing unauthorized access to your server. Implement the following measures:

Use Strong Passwords: Use strong, complex passwords for all accounts. Passwords should incorporate a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Implement a policy for regular password changes to enhance security.
Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security. It should be deployed for accessing server systems.
Limit User Privileges: Grant users only the permissions necessary to perform their tasks. The principle of least privilege helps to minimize the risk of unauthorized access and potential damage.
Disable Unnecessary Accounts: Remove or disable any unused or unnecessary accounts, including default accounts that come with the operating system or applications.

Secure Network Configurations

Network security plays a significant role in server hardening. Implement these practices to enhance network security:

Configure Firewalls: Use firewalls to control network traffic based on predefined security rules. Only necessary traffic should be allowed by firewall. All other connections should be blocked.
Implement Network Segmentation: Network segmentation helps to limit the spread of potential attacks. For example, separate public-facing servers from internal servers and sensitive data.
Disable Unnecessary Services: Identify and disable any unnecessary network services and protocols. Services that are not required for the server’s function can be potential entry points for attackers.
Use VPNs and Encryption: Secure remote connections by using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and encryption protocols. Ensure that data transmitted over the network is encrypted to prevent eavesdropping and interception.

Harden the Operating System

The operating system (OS) is the foundation upon which applications and services run. Harden the OS by following these guidelines:

Disable Unused Features: Turn off any unused OS features and services. For example, if the server does not require a graphical user interface (GUI), consider running it in a command-line mode.
Configure Security Settings: Adjust OS security settings to enhance protection. Enable features such as automatic security updates, firewall configurations, and intrusion detection systems.
Audit and Monitor Logs: Regularly review and analyze system logs to detect suspicious activity and potential security breaches. Implement log management solutions to ensure logs are collected, stored, and analyzed effectively.

Secure Applications and Services

Applications and services running on the server can be potential targets for attackers. Secure them using these practices:

Update and Patch Applications: Ensure that all applications and services are up-to-date with the latest patches and updates.
Secure Configuration: Review and adjust application configurations to adhere to security best practices. Disable unnecessary features, change default settings and enforce strong authentication methods.
Use Application Firewalls: Deploy application firewalls to protect applications from threats such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other web-based attacks.

Implement Security Policies and Procedures

Establishing clear security policies and procedures helps ensure that server hardening practices are consistently applied. Consider the following:

Develop a Security Policy: Create a comprehensive security policy outlining the organization’s approach to server security. Include guidelines for password management, access controls, patch management, and incident response.
Conduct Regular Audits: Perform regular security audits to assess the effectiveness of hardening measures and identify potential vulnerabilities. Audits help ensure that security practices are consistently followed and updated.
Train Personnel: Educate server administrators and IT staff on security best practices and the importance of server hardening. Regular training helps ensure that personnel are aware of current threats and preventive measures.

Backup and Disaster Recovery

A backup and disaster recovery plan is important for minimizing the impact of security incidents. Implement the following measures:

Schedule Regular Backups: Regularly back up essential data and system settings. Store these backups securely, preferably in an offsite location or on a cloud platform.
Validate Recovery Procedures: Consistently test backup and recovery protocols to verify their reliability. Conduct periodic drills to ensure swift data restoration in the event of a crisis.
Implement Redundancy: Consider implementing redundancy measures such as failover systems and load balancing to ensure continuous availability and minimize downtime during an incident.

Monitor and Respond to Security Incidents

Proactive monitoring and incident response are crucial for maintaining server security. Follow these practices:

Implement Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Use IDS to monitor network and system activity for signs of malicious behavior. IDS can alert administrators to potential threats and suspicious activity.
Establish an Incident Response Plan: Create a clear incident response plan which should outline the steps to be taken in the event of a security breach. Include procedures for containment, eradication, recovery, and communication.
Conduct Regular Security Assessments: Regular security assessments like vulnerability scans and penetration testing, helps in identifying and addressing potential weaknesses in the server environment.

Stay Informed and Adapt

Follow Security News: Stay updated on the latest security news, trends, and vulnerabilities. Subscribe to security bulletins and forums to keep abreast of emerging threats.
Adapt to Changes: Continuously review and update your server hardening practices based on new threats and vulnerabilities. Regularly assess and improve your security posture to stay ahead of potential attackers.
Engage with the Community: Participate in security forums to share knowledge and learn from others. Engaging with the cybersecurity community can provide valuable insights and best practices for server hardening.

Server hardening is a comprehensive process that encompasses securing various elements of server configuration, applications, and network settings. For assistance in setting up and securing your enterprise IT network, contact Centex Technologies at the following locations: Killeen at (254) 213-4740, Dallas at (972) 375-9654, Atlanta at (404) 994-5074, and Austin at (512) 956-5454.

How Do You Protect And Secure Your Telemedicine Business From Hacker Onslaught?

By centexitguy

On February 26, 2022

In Cybersecurity

Telemedicine is the way of the future in medicine. Before the current epidemic, telehealth had already absorbed a significant share of the medical industry’s growth potential. Telehealth utilization surged from 11 percent to 46 percent after COVID, according to McKinsey forecasts, with providers seeing up to 175 times as many patients as before. With 76 percent of consumers expressing interest in telehealth, the future seems bright. Overall, McKinsey estimates that the telemedicine business has a $250-billion-dollar development potential. However, all of this expansion comes with significant hazards.

Telehealth and telemedicine businesses are the waves of the future in the healthcare industry. They are, nevertheless, in the vanguard of our COVID-accelerated future. Cybercrime targeting telemedicine has increased dramatically. Medical data breaches are increasing.

Why hackers are attracted to hack into telemedicine systems?

Telehealth and telemedicine are some of the world’s most profitable industries because of their magnitude. However, because of the large number of stakeholders, including clients and employees, it is a prime target. This industry also holds one of the most prized loot for cybercriminals: PHI of patients.

The following are a few examples of PHI (Personal Health Information): –

PII (Personally Identifiable Information) about the demographics of patients
Patients’ medical histories, as well as the results of their various medical tests
Information about a patient’s medical and life insurance
Financial details of patients and their mode of payment used to pay the hospital bills

Techniques implemented by hackers to obtain PHI

In addition to the PHI-based dangers inherent to the medical industry, telehealth operators face the same basic vulnerabilities as all businesses. While not all telemedicine cybersecurity vulnerabilities are related to PHI, they are by far the most serious threats. To steal PHI from telehealth providers, cybercriminals use a number of vulnerabilities and employ a complicated set of strategies.

Most of the hospitals have not strengthened the security of their cyberinfrastructure. Loopholes in any company’s cyberdefense create opportunities for hackers to take control of assets and cause havoc.

Inadequate firewalls cannot block incoming viruses and malware. Hence, hackers utilize insecure networks to gain access to various corporate systems and devices. Hackers can get around password protection thanks to flaws in authentication mechanisms. Once they infiltrate, the unencrypted data stored in servers are easier to steal and mobilize.

Medical professionals often lack end-user security awareness essential to defend against malicious social engineering tactics adopted by cybercriminals. Even the most well-protected cyberdefense system must accommodate for human mistakes across several employees and clientele accounts. Users who haven’t been properly instructed may configure passwords and settings that are not secure. Users may also be duped into compromising their own accounts through social engineering. Hackers may get access to physical areas and take advantage of unsupervised endpoints.

Targeting the mission-critical hospital network infrastructure with DoS and DDoS attacks is again a very common and brutal technique. DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks usually target servers, ultrasound machines, ventilators, and pacemakers. Cybercriminals bombard a continuous stream of access requests to the hospital network. This overwhelms the server systems and disrupts the usual network operations. The daily mission-critical operations are slowed or perhaps stopped as a result of this hyper network traffic. Hackers also take advantage of newly discovered flaws, often dubbed as Zero-Day vulnerabilities. Alternatively, hackers may demand a ransom before restoring normal service. Combinations of attacks, using numerous vulnerabilities at once, are being used by the most dedicated and notorious hackers.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)

The HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) of 1996 was created to ensure that PHI and the medical and health-related profession as a whole had uniform security requirements. It is administered and monitored by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The hazards created by cybercrime cannot be totally eliminated by adhering to the specific regulations and measures that each rule requires. However, compliance is a set of procedures that minimizes vulnerabilities and mitigates hazards in the telemedicine and healthcare industries. It’s not easy to comply with HIPAA. It is advised to hire professional services. The professional cybersecurity company will aid the business to evaluate their information security posture. They also help in deploying the precautions as well as handling the patchwork to ensure that all loopholes are closed or at least monitored. This is one of the best approaches to ensure the safety and security of your telemedicine systems and data.

Centex Technologies provide complete IT infrastructure and Cybersecurity solutions for businesses including medical establishments. For more information on how you can protect your systems, contact Centex Technologies at Killeen (254) 213-4740, Dallas (972) 375-9654, Atlanta (404) 994-5074, and Austin (512) 956-5454