Security hardening reduces the attack surface by removing unnecessary features, tightening configurations, and applying security best practices.
What is Hardening?
Hardening involves configuring systems to minimize vulnerabilities while maintaining required functionality.
Hardening Areas
- Operating Systems - Remove services, apply CIS benchmarks.
- Applications - Disable features, update defaults.
- Network - Segment networks, filter traffic.
Hardening Checklist
Use industry standards like CIS Benchmarks for systematic hardening guidance.
Complement Hardening
Add threat blocking to hardened systems.