45. An administrator needs to perform server hardening before deployment. Which of the following steps should the administrator take?
Answer: A,C
Disable default accounts and remove unnecessary services.
To ensure a secure server deployment, the administrator should disable default accounts and remove unnecessary services, both of which are crucial steps in server hardening.
A) Disable default accounts.
Disabling default accounts is an essential step in server hardening as these accounts often come with known credentials that can be exploited by attackers. By removing or disabling these accounts, the administrator minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and enhances the overall security posture of the server.
B) Add the server to the asset inventory.
While adding the server to the asset inventory is an important administrative task, it does not directly contribute to the hardening of the server itself. Asset inventory helps in tracking and managing resources but does not enhance security measures or reduce vulnerabilities.
C) Remove unnecessary services.
Removing unnecessary services is a critical part of server hardening. Each running service can present a potential attack vector, and by disabling those that are not required for the server's function, the administrator reduces the risk of exploitation and enhances system security.
D) Document default passwords.
Documenting default passwords does not contribute to hardening a server but rather poses a security risk if those passwords are not changed or managed securely. Instead, default passwords should be changed to unique, strong passwords as part of the hardening process.
E) Send server logs to the SIEM.
While sending server logs to a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system is a valuable practice for monitoring and incident response, it does not directly relate to the hardening process. This action is more about ongoing security management rather than pre-deployment hardening measures.
F) Join the server to the corporate domain.
Joining the server to the corporate domain may facilitate administrative tasks and policy enforcement, but it does not inherently contribute to the server hardening process. Security configurations and hardening must be performed independently of domain membership.
Conclusion
Disabling default accounts and removing unnecessary services are definitive steps in server hardening, effectively reducing vulnerabilities and exposure to potential attacks. In contrast, the other options, while relevant to security management practices, do not directly contribute to the hardening process and therefore are not suitable actions prior to deployment.