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Baseline configurations

Baseline configurations are predefined settings and parameters representing the minimum acceptable security posture for a system, network, or application. These configurations serve as a starting point for security administrators to establish a secure environment and ensure consistency across multiple devices or systems within an organization. Here's an overview of baseline configurations:

Operating Systems:

  • User Accounts: Baseline configurations define standard user account policies, such as password complexity requirements, account lockout thresholds, and user access levels (e.g., administrator, standard user).
  • File System Permissions: They establish standard file system permissions for system files, directories, and user data to restrict unauthorized access and ensure data confidentiality and integrity.
  • Service Configuration: Baselines specify which services should be enabled or disabled by default to reduce the attack surface and minimize the risk of exploitation.
  • Patch Management: They outline procedures for regularly applying security patches and updates to address known vulnerabilities and mitigate security risks.

Network Devices:

  • Firewall Rules: Baseline configurations define default firewall rules to control inbound and outbound network traffic, restricting communication to authorized services and ports while blocking potentially malicious traffic.
  • Access Control Lists (ACLs): They specify access control lists for routers, switches, and other network devices to control traffic flow and enforce security policies based on source and destination IP addresses, ports, and protocols.
  • Logging and Monitoring: Baselines establish logging and monitoring settings to record network activities, detect security incidents, and facilitate forensic analysis in case of a security breach.

Applications:

  • Authentication Mechanisms: They define standard authentication mechanisms, such as single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), or certificate-based authentication, to verify the identity of users and prevent unauthorized access.
  • Encryption Settings: Baselines specify encryption algorithms and essential management practices to protect sensitive data transmitted over the network or stored in databases.
  • Security Configuration: They outline application security configurations, including input validation, error handling, and secure communication protocols, to prevent common vulnerabilities such as injection attacks, cross-site scripting (XSS), and security misconfigurations.

Cloud Services:

  • Identity and Access Management (IAM): Baselines establish IAM policies and roles to manage user access permissions and control resource usage within cloud environments.
  • Data Encryption: They define encryption requirements for data stored in cloud storage services to maintain data confidentiality and comply with regulatory requirements.
  • Network Security Groups (NSGs): Baselines specify NSG rules to control inbound and outbound traffic to virtual machines (VMs) and other cloud resources, similar to firewall rules in traditional networks.

Difference between Baseline Configuration & Baselining

Baseline configurations and Baselining a network or host are related concepts but have distinct meanings

Baseline Configurations:

  • Definition: Baseline configurations refer to predefined settings and parameters representing the minimum acceptable security posture for a system, network, or application.
  • Purpose: Baseline configurations serve as a starting point for security administrators to establish a secure environment and ensure consistency across multiple devices or systems within an organization.
  • Components: Baseline configurations include settings related to user accounts, file system permissions, service configuration, firewall rules, authentication mechanisms, encryption settings, and more.
  • Example: A baseline configuration for an operating system might specify password complexity requirements, firewall rules to block unnecessary network ports, and encryption settings for sensitive data.

Baselining a Network or Host:

  • Definition: Baselining a network or host involves establishing a performance or security baseline by monitoring and recording the expected behavior and characteristics of the network, system, or application.
  • Purpose: baselining aims to understand what constitutes normal behavior for a network or host under typical operating conditions. This understanding helps identify deviations from the baseline, which may indicate security incidents, performance issues, or operational problems.
  • Methods: Baselining typically involves collecting data on network traffic, system resource utilization (CPU, memory, disk), application performance metrics, and security events over some time.
  • Example: Baselining a network might involve monitoring traffic patterns, such as the volume of data transferred, the number of connections established, and the protocols used during regular business hours. Any significant deviations from these baseline metrics could indicate potential security threats or abnormal activities.