Previous Understanding
Before I got involved in the IT industry, I thought that security was as simple as changing server passwords to be more complex, altering the SSH port from the default 22, and avoiding direct access to servers. I believed that these measures were enough to ensure system safety. However, my understanding has changed significantly over time.
Current Understanding
After working in the field for several years, I faced a real-world security incident where our server was hacked, the website suffered a DDoS attack, and the database was tampered with. This experience taught me that security is far more complex than I once thought. It's not just about keeping people out; it involves multiple layers of protection, continuous monitoring, and proactive measures. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I still have to discover about IT security.
Let me share my thoughts on IT security.
1. Network Security
Many companies lack proper auditing systems, which means they don’t analyze logs or generate reports that could help identify potential threats. An audit system can track user actions and provide valuable insights. In my company, we eventually purchased a log audit system, but it didn’t meet our needs. To address this, I set up an ELK stack to monitor server logs and detect suspicious activities. Developers also use similar tools to monitor application behavior, ensuring better visibility and control over operations.
Here’s a screenshot of my ELK setup for server monitoring:
Network security covers a wide range of aspects. For instance, ARP binding can prevent ARP spoofing attacks. Using intrusion detection and prevention systems, firewalls, and regularly changing device passwords are all important steps. Also, using HTTPS instead of HTTP ensures secure data transmission.
Regular vulnerability scans, weak password checks, and baseline configuration assessments are essential. These tests help identify open ports, weak passwords, and known vulnerabilities in both the host and applications. Scanning for Trojans and analyzing the results can lead to better security management and improved risk mitigation strategies.
2. Host Security
Many organizations don’t install host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS), which makes it difficult to detect unauthorized access to critical servers. HIDS can log attacker details like IP address, attack type, and time. While hardware WAFs or IPS devices are ideal, they may be too expensive for small businesses. Instead, free and open-source tools like OSSEC or HIDS can offer real-time detection and removal of malicious code.
Host security also includes securing system configurations, authentication processes, and access controls. Enforcing strong password policies, limiting failed login attempts, and using mandatory access controls on important servers can significantly improve security. Default accounts should be renamed, their passwords changed, and unnecessary access rights removed.
3. Application Security
a) Use multi-factor authentication for user identity verification.
b) Set password complexity requirements, such as 8–20 characters, including letters and numbers, and change passwords every six months.
c) Limit login attempts to five per session, and lock accounts after exceeding the limit.
d) Enable security audit features to track user activity and system changes.
e) Ensure that sensitive information is tagged and protected, either through built-in features or external security devices.
f) Enable session timeouts to reduce the risk of session hijacking.
g) Limit the number of concurrent sessions and request processes to prevent resource exhaustion.
h) Implement priority settings for users and processes based on security policies.
4. Data Security and Backup
a) Implement off-site data backups and transfer key data regularly to a remote location.
b) Ensure hardware redundancy for critical network equipment and communication lines.
c) If testing environments need production data, apply data masking techniques to protect personal information.
d) Control data access strictly, allowing only read-only permissions for non-operations staff. Use bastion hosts to restrict clipboard usage and other potentially risky actions.
e) Upgrade databases annually, even if they are internal, because vulnerabilities can still be exploited through code. A stable version may have dozens of high-risk issues that require patches or updates.
5. Web Business Security
a) Set reasonable session timeouts to minimize the risk of session hijacking.
b) Limit the number of concurrent sessions per user to prevent resource abuse.
c) Use SSL/TLS encryption for secure communication between clients and web servers.
d) Log all critical user actions, including abnormal logins and account modifications.
e) Review and update web code before deployment, ensuring that any security issues are addressed.
f) Avoid transmitting passwords in plain text; use encrypted channels like SSL.
g) Require two-factor authentication for sensitive operations like password changes.
h) Avoid revealing specific error messages during login failures to prevent attackers from guessing valid usernames.
i) Enforce strong password policies at the system level, including length, complexity, and expiration.
j) Implement account lockout mechanisms to prevent brute force attacks.
k) Protect session data against tampering, replay, and forgery.
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