Book Image

Mastering Windows Security and Hardening

By : Mark Dunkerley, Matt Tumbarello
Book Image

Mastering Windows Security and Hardening

By: Mark Dunkerley, Matt Tumbarello

Overview of this book

Are you looking for effective ways to protect Windows-based systems from being compromised by unauthorized users? Mastering Windows Security and Hardening is a detailed guide that helps you gain expertise when implementing efficient security measures and creating robust defense solutions. We will begin with an introduction to Windows security fundamentals, baselining, and the importance of building a baseline for an organization. As you advance, you will learn how to effectively secure and harden your Windows-based system, protect identities, and even manage access. In the concluding chapters, the book will take you through testing, monitoring, and security operations. In addition to this, you’ll be equipped with the tools you need to ensure compliance and continuous monitoring through security operations. By the end of this book, you’ll have developed a full understanding of the processes and tools involved in securing and hardening your Windows environment.
Table of Contents (19 chapters)
1
Section 1: Getting Started
6
Section 2: Applying Security and Hardening
13
Section 3: Protecting, Detecting, and Responding for Windows Environments

Securing your Windows clients

It's important to keep up to date with your workstation OS because once a product is made end of life by Microsoft, they no longer invest time to release updates for these products. Extended support is available in some instances. However, generally, outdated OSes will only provide hackers more incentive to target these systems. If you aren't on Windows 10 already, start planning an upgrade as soon as possible!

Currently, there are no plans to increment the major build number to version 11 or 12. New builds (known as feature updates) are released at no charge to users if their license is valid. Depending on the edition, updates are released on servicing channels and can be configured through various means, including automatic updates through Windows Updates, Windows Update for Business, and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and they can be delivered and configured through tools such as Intune, Configuration Manager, or Azure Automation...