What is device hardening?

ICT (Information and Communications Technology) is the use of computing and telecommunication technologies, systems and tools to facilitate the way information is created, collected, processed, transmitted and stored. It includes computing technologies like servers, computers, software applications and database management systems (DBMSs)... • • Trending Terms What Does Hardening Mean? Hardening refers to providing various means of protection in a computer system. Protection is provided in various layers and is often referred to as defense in depth. Protecting in layers means to protect at the host level, the application level, the operating system level, the user level, the physical level and all the sublevels in between. Each level requires a unique method of security. A hardened computer system is a more secure computer system. Hardening is also known as system hardening. Techopedia Explains Hardening Hardening’s goal is to eliminate as many risks and threats to a computer system as necessary. Hardening activities for a computer system can include: • Keeping security patches and hot fixes updated • Monitoring security bulletins that are applicable to a system’s operating system and applications • Installing a firewall • Closing certain ports such as server ports • Not allowing file sharing among programs • Installing virus and spyware protection, including an anti-adware tool so that malicious software cannot gain access to the computer on which it is installed • Keeping...

This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more. This Website Uses Cookies By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn More This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more. Video surveillance systems have always been vulnerable to attacks. Ever since IP technology was first introduced, security cameras have been an attractive target for hackers. That attraction has deepened all the more during the COVID-19 pandemic. In May, VMware Carbon Black released the Forbes headline read: “2,500 Attacks In Less Than A Day: Coronavirus Scammers Just Went Into Overdrive.” Experts are pointing out that increasingly more hackers are attempting to use non-secure cameras to generate network traffic for distributed denial of attacks (DDoS). In essence, a DDoS attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt normal traffic of a targeted server, service or net...

• Agility Enterprise Agile planning that provides best practices and faster delivery times • Application Security Protect and monitor applications and automatically react to threats and attacks • Continuous Testing Deliver flawless customer experiences with web and mobile testing that scales • Deploy Automate and scale application deployment across every technology environment • • Intelligence AI-powered insights across the entire software development and delivery lifecycle • Release Automate and orchestrate software releases across complex technology environments • TeamForge Ensure governance, compliance and security standards are maintained in development • Platform Unify, secure, and generate predictive insights across the software delivery lifecycle • • Accelerate Agile and DevOps transformations while maintaining governance, risk and compliance • Enable Agile & DevOps teams and practices to scale in order to deliver greater quality software • SAFe® Scaled Agile Framework Automate SAFe® and get the insights you need to transform the way value is delivered • Imagine your application as a secret vault—a treasure trove of valuable code and sensitive data. Now, what if I told you there are sneaky threat actors out there, just itching to break into your vault, steal your goodies, and wreak havoc? Scary, right? That’s where application hardening steps in to save the day! Application hardening, also known as “Application Shielding” or “In-app Protection,” is like giving your ...

Wouldn’t it be amazing if our laptops were as secure as Fort Knox? Where it’s so hard for bad actors to access your sensitive data, that they don’t even try? While operating systems, like Microsoft Windows, have become more secure over time, they’re nowhere close to being impenetrable. That’s why enterprises need to be hyper-vigilant about how they System hardening is an even bigger challenge, as more sensitive devices move outside the secure office environments—and employees and contractors log in to sensitive corporate assets via unsecured or untrusted personal devices, or corporate devices that they use for mixed usage, and therefore also have a high level of risk. This is part of an extensive series of guides about What is a Hardened System? Hardened systems are computing systems that are secured, with the goal of making them hack-proof. The process of hardening devices and systems involves eliminating or mitigating vulnerabilities. The term vulnerability refers to software flaws and weaknesses, which may occur in the implementation, configuration, design, or administration of a system. Threat actors exploit these vulnerabilities to hack into devices, systems, and networks. Hardening techniques typically involve locking down configurations, achieving a balance between operational functionality and security. Vulnerability management and change control is another critical component of this effort. It introduces visibility and controls that can help you maintain a hardene...

Attacks on Internet of Things (IoT) systems continue to make headlines. All devices on publicly accessible networks are being targeted. While the use of IoT devices is increasing at an unprecedented rate, security for these vulnerable devices is painfully and unnecessarily lagging behind. After great financial expense from DDOS attacks and identify and data theft, awareness of the problem is finally growing. Studies utilizing ICS system honeypots have shown internet-connected ICS devices have been attacked within 24 hours of connection to the internet. In our discussions with customers, we commonly hear reports of newly provisioned IoT gateways being probed within 45 minutes. Industry groups are developing standards, requiring certifications, and pushing legislations. Yet with the excitement to get new devices, software, and services into production, manufacturers continue to deliver products loaded with the security equivalent of a wing and a prayer. Companies building IoT and other connected devices must ensure their devices are protected from these attacks. But where do they start? What steps can the device developers and manufacturers take to ensure their devices are protected? Companies deploying IoT solutions and building IoT networks must make certain their networks are protected. Again, where do they start? What steps are needed and what solutions should they deploy? Can they rely on having strong security built into the devices they deploy? Or must they assume all...

Hardening represents a means of investigating and reducing the number of systems across your organization with potential weaknesses, and then taking steps to securing them from malicious actors and their increasingly creative cyberthreats. Hardening has been applied across the industry to servers, software applications, operating systems, databases, networks, projects, repositories, services, policies, platforms, and more. In this article, we'll explore how we're hardening Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM). Specifically: • • • • • Call to action: • • • Let's jump in! Hardening: A little bit of context Today, securing your estate is considered required hygiene. Hardening system security represents an investment in quality care. For Windows, hardening is an integral part of our monthly security updates, making them the IT professional's regular high-quality hygiene routine. A good place to start hardening your environment is by reviewing freely available Microsoft documentation, such as our What is DCOM and DCOM authentication hardening? DCOM authentication hardening is an example of these modern hardening efforts. You may have seen conversations about it on Reddit, Twitter, and forums like our Windows Tech Community. Let's bring these conversations under one roof here! The This issue is specifically impacting enterprise users that are domain-joined, Azure Active Directory-joined, or those using DCOM with Windows Workgroups. It does not affect general consumers. The ...

Many people are concerned about their data and network security in light of global unrest, previous cyberattacks, and ransomware attacks. In the third quarter of 2021 alone, ransomware attacks increased by 140% . There are also new and more sophisticated attacks occurring all the time as large criminal groups use the same AI and machine learning techniques used by software companies to optimize their products. This has led rise to new dangers such as Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) and phishing being automated and sent via text message as well as email. And various attack metrics you hear about are often connected. For example, the rise in ransomware rise in phishing, and the rise in supply chain attacks are all connected. Phishing is largely used to launch all types of attacks. Emails or texts are sent to unsuspecting people and are cleverly disguised to look legitimate. They might even have your first name and company name in the email. When an employee clicks a link or opens a file attachment in those phishing emails, it often leads to an infection of ransomware (being one of the top malware types used). It could also lead to a fake login form that looks exactly like one for a trusted website and be a ploy to steal login credentials. Of the last three major supply chain attacks (Colonial Pipeline, JBS, and software provider Kaseya), all three were attacked with ransomware. 97% of companies have been victims of a breach in their supply chain , and 93% suffered a direct br...