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

Using Conditional Access and Identity Protection

Conditional Access is an Azure cloud policy tool that enforces compliance based on conditions for your users. The Conditional Access policies allow you to specify criteria against your users that will trigger specific requirements or exceptions based on the location, device platform or type, application, group membership, and much more. For example, if a user is not on a trusted device and is trying to access their email via Exchange Online, they will be required to use MFA. This is a simple example, but the possibilities of this scenario are extensive and allow increased security. Conditional Access is a necessity within the cloud world, and you need to use it. If not, prioritize and enable it immediately.

You can learn more about Conditional Access at https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/conditional-access/overview.

The following is a list of several use cases to get you started today with Conditional Access...