Best Practice System Security Hardening
What is System Security Hardening?
ISO/IEC 27001:2013 is an international standard that outlines requirements for information security management systems. Annex 12.6.1 (Management of Technical Vulnerabilities) and Annex 14.2.8 (System Security Testing) emphasize the importance of securing systems and applications from potential attacks. One utilized method is system hardening, which is the process of securing a system or application to mitigate the risk of hacker attacks.
In the IT sphere, the term “security hardening” is frequently employed when systems or applications are about to be deployed or enter a production environment. System hardening constitutes a collection of tools, techniques, and best practices designed to reduce vulnerability to cyberattacks. Its objective is to eliminate attack vectors and minimize the attack surface that can be exploited by hackers or malware.
Types of System Hardening
System hardening encompasses several key aspects within IT ecosystem security. The following are the five primary types of hardening:
- Application Hardening – Securing applications from exploitation and malicious attacks.
- Operating System Hardening – Eliminating unnecessary services or configurations on the OS.
- Server Hardening – Securing servers from unauthorized access or exploitation.
- Database Hardening – Preventing data breaches through access control and encryption settings.
- Network Hardening – Enhancing network security with firewalls, segmentation, and access control.
Why is System Hardening Important?
System hardening plays a crucial role in lowering the probability of systems being hacked by reducing potential entry points for attacks. This measure is indispensable in industries that implement stringent security standards, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) in the financial sector and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the healthcare sector.
System hardening should be conducted periodically throughout the technology lifecycle, from initial installation to when the system operates in a live production environment. Some organizations even develop automated hardening methods to accelerate and enhance the effectiveness of this process.
Does System Hardening Guarantee 100% Security?
The answer is no. No system is 100% secure, but system hardening can significantly enhance a system’s resilience against attacks and reduce the likelihood of exploitation. By implementing hardening, attacks that could initially be executed by hackers with basic skill levels will become more challenging, allowing only hackers with higher skill levels to attempt to penetrate the system.
With the appropriate approach, system hardening will become an integral part of a broader cybersecurity strategy, assisting organizations in protecting their data and IT infrastructure.
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IT GRC Team
Robere & Associates (Indonesia)
