Identify Known Flaws and Weaknesses

 Conduct a Vulnerability Assessment:

o Use automated tools (e.g., Nessus, OpenVAS, Qualys) to
scan the system for known vulnerabilities.
o Review system configurations for weak settings (e.g.,
default passwords, unencrypted connections).
o Check for unpatched software or outdated firmware.
 Research Common Vulnerabilities:
o Identify known vulnerabilities related to the system's
software, hardware, or network.
o Use databases such as the National Vulnerability
Database (NVD) or CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and
Exposures) to track recent and well-documented
vulnerabilities.
o Consider industry-specific security guidelines, such as CIS
benchmarks or OWASP for web applications.

Research Appropriate Techniques to Harden

the Device
 Apply Security Patches:
o Ensure that the operating system, applications, and
firmware are up to date with the latest patches. Review
patch management policies and test updates before
deployment.
o Subscribe to security bulletins for alerts on new patches
or updates.
 Disable Unnecessary Services:
o Identify and disable any services or ports that are not
needed to minimize the attack surface.
o Remove or deactivate unused applications.
  Configure Firewalls and Network Controls:
o Set up firewalls to restrict inbound and outbound traffic
based on security policies.
o Use intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS)
to monitor for unusual network activity.
 Enable Strong Authentication and Access Control:
o Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) where
possible.
o Enforce strong password policies and use role-based
access control (RBAC) to ensure users only have necessary
permissions.
 Encrypt Data:
o Use encryption to protect sensitive data in transit and at
rest.
o Consider implementing full-disk encryption and using
encrypted connections like HTTPS or VPNs.
 Install Anti-Malware Tools:
o Ensure anti-virus and anti-malware software are installed
and actively scanning the system.
o Keep the malware definition databases updated.

Apply Techniques to Harden the Device

 Perform Patch Updates:
o Manually or automatically apply security patches to the
operating system, firmware, and software applications.
 Modify Configurations:
o Change default settings like admin passwords, SSH access
configurations, and disable root or guest accounts.
o Implement network segmentation and configure firewalls
and routers to limit internal and external exposure.
 Run Hardening Scripts:
o Use hardening scripts like CIS-CAT, Lynis, or similar tools
to automate security configuration updates.
  Audit and Monitor:
o Enable logging and auditing to monitor for unauthorized
access attempts or other suspicious activities.
o Use centralized logging systems like SIEM (Security
Information and Event Management) to analyse logs for
potential security incidents.

Confirm Flaws or Weaknesses Have Been

Removed
 Re-scan the System:
o Use the same vulnerability scanning tools (e.g., Nessus,
OpenVAS) to ensure vulnerabilities have been addressed.
o Compare the scan results with the initial vulnerability
assessment to verify fixes.
 Penetration Testing:
o Conduct penetration testing (manually or with tools like
Metasploit) to simulate attacks and test the system’s
defences.
o Address any remaining vulnerabilities found during
testing.
 Audit Logs and Access Controls:
o Review access logs and activity reports to verify that no
unauthorized access or malicious activities have occurred.
o Perform user access audits to ensure only necessary users
have access to critical systems.
Example: Device Hardening Process (for a
Windows System)
1. Identify Flaws:
o Run a vulnerability scan (e.g., using Nessus) and identify:
 Outdated OS version.
 Unpatched vulnerabilities for installed software
(e.g., Microsoft Office).
 Weak password policies.

2. Research Hardening Techniques:

o Research the latest security patches for Windows.
o Disable unnecessary services like SMBv1, and enable
Windows Defender firewall.
o Enforce a strong password policy through group policy
settings.
3. Apply Hardening:
o Install all pending Windows updates and software
patches.
o Configure firewall rules to block unnecessary inbound and
outbound traffic.
o Enforce password complexity and expiration policies
through Active Directory Group Policies.
4. +Confirm Weaknesses Removed:
o Re-scan the system after patching and configuration
changes.
o Perform a penetration test to verify no unauthorized
access is possible.
o Review system logs to check for any suspicious activity or
access.

By following this methodology, you can systematically address

vulnerabilities and ensure that a system has been effectively
hardened against known threats.