SECURITY

Server 2008 : Deploying Physical Security

2/25/2011 10:25:31 PM
One of the most overlooked but perhaps most critical components of server security is the actual physical security of the server itself. The most secure, unbreakable web server is powerless if a malicious user can simply unplug it. Worse yet, someone logging on to a critical file server could potentially copy critical data or sabotage the machine directly.

Physical security is a must for any organization because it is the most common cause of security breaches. Despite this fact, many organizations have loose levels, or no levels, of physical security for their mission-critical servers. An understanding of what is required to secure the physical and logon access to a server is, consequently, a must.

Restricting Physical Access

Servers should be physically secured behind locked doors, in a controlled-access environment. It is unwise to place mission-critical servers at the feet of administrators or in similar, unsecure locations. Rather, a dedicated server room or server closet that is locked at all times is the most ideal environment for the purposes of server security.

Most hardware manufacturers also include mechanisms for locking out some or all of the components of a server. Depending on the other layers of security deployed, it might be wise to utilize these mechanisms to secure a server environment.

Restricting Logon Access

All servers should be configured to allow only administrators to physically log on to the console. By default, such use is restricted on domain controllers, but other servers such as file servers, utility servers, and the like must specifically forbid these types of logons. To restrict logon access, follow these steps:

1.
Click Start, All Programs, Administrative Tools, Local Security Policy.

2.
In the node pane, navigate to Security Settings, Local Policies, User Rights Assignment.

3.
Double-click Allow Log On Locally.

4.
Remove any users or groups that do not need access to the server, as illustrated in Figure 1. (Keep in mind that, on web servers, the IUSR_SERVERNAME account needs to have Log On Locally access to properly display web pages.) Click OK when you are finished.

Figure 1. Restricting logon access.


Note

If you replace Local Security Policy in the restriction lockdown instructions in step 1 with the Domain Controllers Security Policy, you will be able to carry out these same instructions on a Windows Server 2008 R2 domain controller.


Note

A group policy set at an OU level can be applied to all servers, simplifying this task and negating the need to perform it manually on every server.


Using the Run As Administrator Command for Administrative Access

Logging off administrators after using any and all workstations and servers on a network is often the most difficult and tedious security precaution. If an administrator forgets, or simply steps away from a workstation temporarily without logging off, any persons passing by can muck around with the network infrastructure as they please.

For this reason, it is wise to consider a logon strategy that incorporates the Run As Administrator command that is embedded in Windows Server 2008 R2. Essentially, this means that all users, including IT staff, log on with restricted, standard user accounts. When administrative functionality is required, IT support personnel can invoke the tool or executable by using the Run As Administrator command, which effectively gives that tool administrative capabilities. If an administrator leaves a workstation console without logging off, the situation is not critical because the console will not grant a passerby full administrator access to the network.

The following example illustrates how to invoke the Computer Management MMC snap-in using the Run As command from the GUI interface:

1.
Navigate to (but do not select) Start, All Programs, Administrative Tools, Computer Management.

2.
Hold down the Shift key, right-click Computer Management in the program list, and then choose Run As Different User.

3.
In the Run As dialog box, choose the credentials under which you want to run the program, and click OK.

In addition to the manual method of using Run As, an administrator’s desktop can be configured to have each shortcut automatically run as a computer administrator. For example, the Active Directory Users and Computers MMC snap-in can be set to permanently run with elevated privileges by following these steps:

1.
Click Start, All Programs, Administrative Tools.

2.
Right-click Computer Management and choose Properties.

3.
On the Shortcut tab, click the Advanced button.

4.
Check the Run As Administrator check box, as shown in Figure 2, and click OK twice to save the settings.

Figure 2. Running a shortcut with Administrator privileges.


Note

Ironically, administrative access is sometimes required to be able to change some of the shortcut properties. Consequently, you might need to log on as a user with higher privileges to set up the shortcuts on other users’ profiles.


Using Smart Cards for Logon Access

The ultimate in secured infrastructures utilize so-called smart cards for logon access; these smart cards are fully supported in Windows Server 2008 R2. A smart card can exist in multiple forms, commonly as a credit card-sized piece of plastic with an encrypted microchip embedded within or as a USB key. Each user is assigned a unique smart card and an associated PIN. Logging on to a workstation is as straightforward as inserting the smart card into a smart card reader and entering in the PIN, which can be a combination of numbers and letters, similar to a password.

Security can be raised even higher by stipulating that when the smart card is removed, the user is automatically logged off the console. In this scenario, users insert into the smart card reader a smart card that is physically attached to their person via a chain or string. After entering their PIN, they log on and perform all necessary functions. Upon leaving, they simply remove the smart card from the reader, which automatically logs them off the workstation. In this scenario, it is nearly impossible for users to forget to log off because they must physically detach themselves from the computer to leave.

Securing Wireless Networks

Wireless security has always been an issue, but recent trends toward wireless networks have made it even more so. Most organizations are shocked to see what kind of damage can be done to a network simply by a person being able to connect via a network port. The addition of wireless networks makes access even easier; for example, an unsavory individual can simply pull up in the parking lot and access an organization’s local area network (LAN) via a laptop computer and a standard wireless card. The standard security employed by wireless networks, Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP), is effectively worthless because it can be cracked in several minutes.

Controlling the network ports and securing network switches are part of the securing strategy. For organizations with wireless networks, more stringent precautions must be taken. Deployment of wireless networks using the 802.1x protocol vastly increases the security of the mechanism. Microsoft uses 802.1x to secure its vast wireless network, and Windows Server 2008 R2 fully supports the protocol.

For those organizations without the time or resources to deploy 802.1x, the simple step of placing wireless access points outside the firewall and requiring virtual private network (VPN) access through the firewall can effectively secure the wireless network. Even if trespassers were to break the WEP key, they would be connected only to an orphaned network, with no place to go.

Firewall Security

Deployment of an enterprise firewall configuration is a must in any environment that is connected to the Internet. Servers or workstations directly connected to the Internet are prime candidates for hacking. Modern firewall implementations such as Microsoft’s Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) 2006 offer advanced configurations, such as web proxying and demilitarized zone (DMZ) configuration, as well. Proper setup and configuration of a firewall in between a Windows Server 2008 R2 network and the Internet are a must.

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