What is the best practice for Active Directory security?
Security experts have developed a set of best practices to combat the many bugs and exploits that can be used to access Active Directory. Let’s take a closer look at some of them.
Maintain an inventory
You need to know everything there is to know about an AD to keep it clean and secure. Therefore, you should document naming standards and critical security regulations in addition to each user, service account, machine, and access group.
A detailed, comprehensive inventory of your entire system is the most effective Active Directory security strategy for complying with the highest standards of AD cybersecurity. Identifying and categorizing all the computers, devices, users, domains, and naming conventions for your organizational units should be among your top priorities.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA blocks more than 99.9 percent of account compromise attacks.
According to Microsoft, “You can help prevent some of these attacks by banning the use of bad passwords, blocking older authentication, and training employees in phishing. But one of the best things you can do is just beat MFA to. “
Multi-factor authentication is another critical active directory best practice that organizations should follow. Hackers can easily access remote users’ computers, often without their knowledge. By using multi-factor authentication (MFA), companies can effectively protect remote devices. Before accessing an MFA solution, a user must pass two or more verifications successfully. This effectively blocks hackers from accessing active directories.
Current multi-factor authentication methods include push notification, one-time password, email / SMS code, two-factor token, and biometrics. The following data illustrates how organizations perform with multi-factor authentication.
Only 26% of organizations use multifactor authentication.
With 68% of usage, mobile push notifications are the most common authentication method.
Establish a strong password policy
Enforcing a strong password policy is another important best practice for Active Directory security. AD should be able to force users to change their passwords at regular intervals.
Password policy can be used to improve network security by introducing stricter account lock settings on privileged accounts. If users who have access to sensitive data and applications are locked out of their accounts, they will face a more involved authentication process.
Employee Levels defines the level of access an employee requires to perform their job. Access to Active Directory should be restricted to employees who require it to perform their jobs properly. Full access is provided to domain administrators and other privileged groups.
Restricting AD access to a privileged group is an excellent good practice for active directory security to avoid fraud and protect your business.
Educate your employees
One of the main challenges in ensuring cyber security is that most employees are unaware of the vulnerabilities. Therefore, companies should inform employees about the risks associated with accessing Active Directory and other official company accounts. As a result, cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility, not just the IT team.
Summary
Active Directory is the most vulnerable document in a business because it contains sensitive information that could endanger organizations. Because of this, it is the responsibility of each employee to investigate and remain protected. Top IT management must ensure that everyone adheres to the cybersecurity policies of the company, and monitors them regularly, in particular the best practices of Active Directory set out in the company.
