Network hardening reduces your attack surface by securing every infrastructure layer, including hardware, software, network protocols and configurations. Its main goal is to lower risk by eliminating or condensing areas attackers could exploit. Vulnerabilities in device management and configurations present weaknesses for a malicious cyber actor to exploit in order to gain presence and maintain persistence within a network. This comprehensive guide will explore the significance of network device security hardening, detail the role and responsibilities of a network administrator, and uncover how business intelligence and data analytics can enhance security measures. It involves implementing a series of measures designed to protect the network from unauthorized access, data breaches, malware, and other. This section describes the hardening of infrastructure devices that are applicable to all builds. They contain technical guidelines on how to harden information. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), National Security Agency (NSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Australian Signals Directorate's (ASD's) Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS), and New Zealand's National Cyber Security.
