The security of IT products and their users is at a greater threat in this technology-driven era. With the introduction of newer IT products, newer threats are loaded onto the web to scam people through malicious websites, codes, emails, etc. Database consultants are primarily on top of everything and assist organizations in protecting their IT products against threats using the configuration review checklists. But do you ever wonder what a configuration review checklist is?
Here we offer you a comprehensive guide on what a configuration review checklist is, why one should use it, and how it is the configuration review checklist you should not avoid.
What Is a Configuration Review Checklist?
A configuration review checklist, popularly known as a security configuration checklist, is just a set of instructions or guidelines for configuring an IT product to a specific operational environment. It verifies that a product has been appropriately configured and identifies unauthorized changes.
The IT product may be commercial, open-source, or government-off-the-shelf (GOTS), among other classifications.
*Configuration review checklist is also known as a lockdown, hardening guide, or benchmark*
Why Should One Use a Configuration Review Checklist?
Threats to consumers’ PCs range from remotely launched network service exploits to malicious code sent via emails, fraudulent websites, and file downloads. Nearly every day, vulnerabilities in IT devices are discovered, and numerous ready-to-use exploits are publicly available on the Internet.
Many IT products are immediately insecure because restrictive security protections are typically not activated by default. This is because IT products are frequently designed for a diverse audience. Identifying an appropriate set of security settings for many IT products is a complex, grueling, and time-consuming operation for even experienced system administrators.
Despite the complexity of IT security solutions, the security configuration checklist is a simple but valuable tool that can offer relief and provide security from threats.
This is why most organizations use a configuration review checklist to protect their IT products from threats, including viruses, ransomware, malware, etc.
Organizations and individuals can gain the following benefits by utilizing checklists:
● Protecting against common and hazardous local and remote threats using a consistent strategy to defend systems at a base level of protection.
● Significantly lowering the time needed to conduct research and build security configurations for installed IT products
● Permitting smaller enterprises to utilize external resources and implement best practices for security setups.
● Preventing public embarrassment or loss of confidence due to compromised publicly accessible systems.
While security configuration checklists can significantly enhance an organization’s overall security, no checklist can guarantee that a system or product is completely secure. Nevertheless, adopting checklists that highlight the hardening of systems against inherent software faults or defects may result in increased product security and protection against future threats.
What Is the Configuration Review Checklist You Should Not Avoid?
Below is mentioned the configuration review checklist that no organization should avoid. An efficient database support team that properly employs the configuration review checklist mentioned below can help your organization with its security and privacy.
- Physical Access Control Checklist
Physical access control is your first security line against inadvertent or purposeful intrusions and interferences. Lack of control can make it simpler to view, copy, or steal internal keys, key codes, badge numbers, etc. You must promote accountability and recovery by installing entryway alarms or video surveillance.
- Personnel Checklist
Your security depends on employees’ honesty, trustworthiness, and security awareness. First, choose, interview, observe, and check references. These abilities can help you avoid hiring unsuitable people for tasks or surroundings requiring security. Individuals are crucial to security, and careless, hostile, or dishonest employees weaken or eliminate security.
Secondly, how security-aware is your staff? You can make them more aware of the security measures by offering the right instructions and training. People learn and adapt when a business establishes and enforces security protocols and provides training and bulletins.
- Secure Configuration Checklist
Every firm must protect its information, assets, and data. Use the industry’s best security standards for operational database deployments and create a secure configuration for databases.
Following this advice ensures a secure configuration:
● Customize installation by installing only what you need
● Close default user accounts
● Change passwords
● Password-protect everything
● Enforce protection data dictionary
● Grant necessary privileges only
● Limit runtime permissions
● Effectively manage access
● Isolate the network
● Limit OS access
● Apply patches and workarounds
- Network Checklists
Security for network communications is increased by using client, listener, and network checks to assure complete protection. Using SSL is a crucial part of these lists, as it offers optimal security for authentication and communications.
- Client Checklist
Instead of authenticating client computers over the Internet, users are usually authenticated. This strategy avoids false IP addresses, compromised operating systems or programs, and stolen client system identities. These steps improve client connection security by enabling SSL and certifying clients and servers.
- Listener Checklist
Harmful interference must be limited because the listener is the network’s database gateway.
● Restrict listener rights, so it can’t read or write database or server files.
This restriction prevents external procedure agents produced by the listener (or procedures performed by such an agent) from inheriting read/write abilities.
● Secure administration by:
1. Password-protecting listeners.
2. Preventing online admin.
3. Administrating the listener using SSL.
4. If you don’t need external procedures, remove them from listener.ora.
- Network Checklist
Network security protects the network and its communications from unauthorized access or alteration, improving network security. Other key points in the checklist are:-
- Limit network access, making it hard to attach other devices.
- Prevent illegal network access. This involves securing network software on computers, bridges, and routers.
- When exchanging data over the Internet, utilize encryption to protect physical addresses.
- Place the firewall outside the protected network and don’t breach a firewall.
- Prevent Oracle listener abuse.
- Enforce IP address check.
- Encrypt the network.
- Harden OS
Seeing businesses’ rising IT security risks, the need for database administration service providers is paramount. Atlas Systems offers premium database assistance for organizations of any size. Visit https://atlassystems.com/ to contact their experts today for safer and more protected IT products.
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