What is hardening? Explaining security methods and benefits

Hardening is the process of increasing the security of an operating system, application, software, etc.

Typical hardening techniques include applying security patches and reviewing initial settings.

By implementing hardening, you can not only strengthen security, but also reduce the risk of system downtime and improve performance.

In this article, we will explain the overview of hardening, the benefits of implementing it, and points to be careful about.

If you want to know the basics of hardening, please read this.

This article also introduces security solutions from LANSCOPE Professional Services, which are effective in providing hardening support.

If you are a company or organization looking to strengthen your security, please check it out.

What is hardening?

Hardening is the process of increasing the security of information systems, including operating systems, applications, and software .

Specific hardening methods include the following:

By implementing hardening, you can not only strengthen security, but also reduce the risk of system downtime and improve performance.

The purpose of hardening

Hardening is carried out with the aim of eliminating vulnerabilities in the system as much as possible and reducing security risks.

To prevent cyber attacks, it is not enough to simply install high-precision security tools; basic measures such as promptly applying security patches and regularly reviewing settings are also essential.

By thoroughly implementing basic countermeasures, you can reduce the gaps that attackers can exploit and decrease the likelihood of being attacked.

Typical hardening methods

Here are five common hardening techniques:

I will explain in detail.

Applying security patches

Various vulnerabilities are discovered in software and operating systems every day.

If these vulnerabilities are left unfixed, they could lead to serious damage such as unauthorized access or malware infection.

To resolve this vulnerability, vendors distribute fixes called “security patches.”

By applying a security patch, the programs and configuration files containing the vulnerabilities are rewritten, and the vulnerabilities are fixed.

By promptly applying security patches as they are released, you can reduce the risk of vulnerabilities being exploited.

Access Control

To prevent unauthorized access, it is effective to design systems based on the principle of least privilege, which grants only the permissions necessary for business operations.

By limiting permissions, you can prevent unauthorized viewing or removal of information from both inside and outside the company.

It is also effective to introduce “multi-factor authentication,” which combines two or more authentication factors, such as entering a standard password followed by an authentication code.

By implementing multi-factor authentication, even if a password is leaked, only authorized users can log in unless they obtain an additional authentication factor, which is expected to prevent unauthorized access.

Log monitoring

The various logs output by systems and applications contain clues to signs of unauthorized access and abnormal behavior.
Therefore, by continuously monitoring and analyzing these logs, you will be able to detect and respond to problems early.

For example, being able to detect unusual behavior, such as suspicious communications outside of business hours or a large number of login attempts, will help minimize the damage caused by cyber attacks.

It will also be an essential source of information for investigating the cause and considering measures to prevent recurrence in the unlikely event of an incident.

Disable unnecessary services and software

Leaving unused services and software disabled can become a gateway for cyber attacks.
For example, if you don’t realize that support for unused software has ended, an unpatched vulnerability could be exploited and your system could be invaded.

If there are any services or software that have no clear purpose and are left unused, it is recommended that you disable or delete them.

Changing the default settings

The “default settings (initial settings)” of products and services often have a low level of security.

In some cases, your password may be publicly available online.

Therefore, when initially installing the system, it is necessary to review the settings, change passwords, optimize communication settings, etc.

Continuing to use the default settings can significantly reduce the security of the entire system.

The benefits of hardening

By implementing hardening, you can expect the following benefits:

By implementing hardening, you can reduce the risk of attacks such as unauthorized access to your system and data tampering.

In addition, by continuously monitoring logs and establishing a system that allows for quick investigation of the cause in the unlikely event of any unauthorized activity, damage can be minimized.

Additionally, disabling unnecessary services and software can help reduce resource waste and improve system performance.

In addition, by regularly reviewing system settings and maintaining records, you can demonstrate high reliability during audits and external evaluations.

Implementing hardening is not only effective in strengthening internal security, but also provides peace of mind to customers and business partners and increases trust in the company.

Points to note when performing hardening

Hardening is an effective way to increase the security level of a system, but there are some things to be aware of.

In this article, we will explain three points to keep in mind when implementing hardening.

Let’s take a closer look.

Specialized knowledge is required

To implement effective hardening, a high level of expertise in the workings of operating systems, networks, applications, and various other software is required.

If you make incorrect configuration changes to your OS or network without sufficient knowledge, you may end up increasing the risk of attack, even though you are trying to strengthen security.

There is also the risk that incorrect configurations could cause business operations to stop or important functions to become unavailable.
Therefore, when implementing hardening, not only is basic security knowledge required, but the ability to understand system configurations and dependencies, as well as the ability to predict the impact of configuration changes, are also required.

Ideally, you should work with a professional security engineer if possible.

Continuous management is required

Hardening is not something that can be done once and then finished.
It requires continuous review and response in response to software upgrades, changes in system configuration, and updates to vulnerability information.

In particular, applying security patches and monitoring logs need to become part of daily operations as a habit.

It is also important to regularly review the scope of impact caused by configuration changes. This
should be done continuously to prevent problems such as “business interruptions caused by hardening” from being overlooked for a long period of time.

Furthermore, in order to respond to new security threats, it is necessary to constantly update knowledge and technology.

It is important to view hardening as part of an ongoing operational process, rather than a one-off measure.

There is a risk of reduced business efficiency

While implementing hardening increases security, it can also reduce business flexibility and efficiency.
For example, prioritizing security too much and introducing a system that reduces business efficiency, or disabling services and software used in business, can lead to confusion if implemented without a plan.

Therefore, when implementing hardening, you must always be aware of the impact on business operations and consider the balance with convenience.

It is essential to take into consideration many aspects, such as conducting sufficient tests before and after changing settings and coordinating with relevant departments.

We also offer a “Vulnerability Assessment Package” and a “Security Health Assessment Package” for companies and organizations that “don’t know where to start” or are undergoing an assessment for the first time.

For more information about the “Vulnerability Assessment Package” and “Security Health Assessment Package,” please refer to the following pages.

Penetration Testing

A penetration test is a test that can determine the extent of damage that will occur in the event of unauthorized access and whether appropriate measures can be taken after infection.

By launching simulated attacks that simulate actual cyber attacks, we can identify the current security level and any issues.

LANSCOPE Professional Services’ penetration testing is characterized by high-quality testing by highly specialized and experienced engineers, as well as careful listening and support.

For more information about penetration testing, please see the following page:

summary

In this article, we will discuss the topic of “hardening,” explaining the techniques, benefits, and points to be aware of.

Hardening is not a one-time security measure, but is effective when implemented continuously.

To reduce the risk of becoming a target of cyber attacks, we should take steps in peacetime to strengthen our security.

Additionally, the security solutions of LANSCOPE Professional Services are effective for hardening support.

Make sure you correctly understand whether the software and applications you have implemented have any vulnerabilities, what your company’s security level is, and aim to implement appropriate measures.

For companies and organizations that have issues such as “I don’t know where to start” or “This is my first time getting diagnosed,” please make use of our materials with flowcharts that allow you to choose the most appropriate diagnosis, as well as our “Vulnerability Assessment Package” and “Security Health Assessment Package.”