Organizations store their sensitive data on the Windows File Servers. You really don't want folders and files to fall into the wrong hands. Hence as an IT manager, you have to do everything you possibly can to ensure the reliability of your data. If you are wondering whether securing a windows file server is possible or not. Yes, it is! Some steps can prevent data leakage.

The most precious data in the organization is held in databases, Active Directory (AD), or on file servers. We often pay special attention to secure Active Directory and databases, but you need to properly secure the file servers.

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If an organization has a decentralized method of storing confidential files, IT managers will scan the entire network in order to locate important files and modify the permissions. Therefore, instead of having your data spread on various computers, IT teams must combine and keep all the folders and files in one place. Moreover, Centralized management of permissions ensures that you quickly lock down the overexposed data to control files and permissions quickly and easily. 

In addition to this, the wider the employee’s portfolio of network access is, the greater will be the risk of infrequent file server access! Therefore having a long list of users can put your domain security at risk. The apt solution is to limit the number of users on your file servers.

Here are some additional top 10 best tips for securing windows file servers and keep you protected.

Physical security

Don’t let anybody walk out of the door using your file server. Even then, server theft is not the only risk you will face. If a hacker achieves physical access to your server, all the security controls can be easily circumvented.

Upgrade to Windows Server 2016

Windows Server 2016 has a built-in greatest and modern security protections, with some essential features like Device Guard and Credential Guard for Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) to strengthen against the common attacks, including Pass-the-Hash. As the Windows Server 2016 and Windows 10 are updated, they will be less vulnerable to Petya and WannaCry ransomware that has raised eventually. Additionally, windows Defender includes Windows Server 2016, so that you will not need any license for an additional antivirus product.

Microsoft security baseline

Apply Microsoft’s security settings for a Windows Server 2016. There are several thousands of settings for configuration. Let Microsoft do every essential step for you to determine which features need to be disabled. For example, Microsoft was recommending inactivating the legacy Server Message Block (SMB) v1 protocol since it was vulnerable to attack. The latest release is the Creators Update.

Enable BitLocker

You need to encrypt all the server disk volumes. Even if you are successful at physically securing windows file server, BitLocker encryption adds more protection. In such a case, when physical security fails, you should properly dispose of the hard drives.

Randomize and store local administrator password

Make sure that you keep a unique password for your local administrator. Also, try to change it regularly, and store it securely. You can use Microsoft’s Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) to randomize passwords on the servers and store them securely in the Active Directory. Moreover, make sure you don’t overlook security practices by using the least privilege or restricting domain administrator accounts to DCs.

Block Internet access at the perimeter firewall

File servers mostly don’t good Internet access. However, you can restrict access to the relevant sites, which includes Microsoft’s update servers, if you do not have any Windows hosting in sydney Server Update Services (WSUS) available on the company intranet.

Keep permissions simple

Make sure you plan how you can grant permissions for file sharing. You can keep it as simple as possible and plan according to the access based users’ roles in the organization. Add ACLs to the folders and make sure to keep the file share permissions to Authenticated Users. It excludes the built-in security accounts such as local_service, service, and network_service.

Enable auditing of shares and folders

You can enable the auditing of your folders and share access to files by monitoring and changing the permission recorded.

Add a global deny group 

Create a group that deny permissions to each shared folder. A deny always overrides allowing permissions to add users to a group if you can quickly block the access to file server resources.

Tested backup

Consequently, it is indispensable to make sure that you have a secure and tested backup procedure. If the security control fails to protect data, you will have to recover all your valuable data assets.

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