Infrastructure Hardening Checklist

Hardening infrastructure reduces attack surface and improves security posture. This checklist covers essential security measures for cloud infrastructure.

Access Controls

Authentication

• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all user accounts
• Use strong password policies (minimum 12 characters, complexity requirements)
• Enable single sign-on (SSO) where possible
• Implement account lockout policies after failed attempts

Authorization

• Follow principle of least privilege
• Use role-based access control (RBAC)
• Regularly review and audit access permissions
• Implement just-in-time (JIT) access for privileged operations
• Use service accounts with minimal permissions

Credential Management

• Rotate credentials regularly (every 90 days)
• Use secrets management services (AWS Secrets Manager, HashiCorp Vault)
• Never commit secrets to version control
• Use different credentials for different environments

Network Security

Segmentation

• Segment networks with firewalls and security groups
• Use private subnets for sensitive resources
• Implement network access control lists (NACLs)
• Separate production and non-production networks

Protection

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules
• Enable DDoS protection (CloudFlare, AWS Shield)
• Use VPN or bastion hosts for administrative access
• Monitor network traffic for anomalies

Encryption

• Encrypt data in transit (TLS 1.3 minimum)
• Encrypt data at rest (AES-256)
• Use encrypted communication between services
• Implement certificate management and rotation

Configuration Management

System Hardening

• Disable default accounts and passwords
• Remove unnecessary services and ports
• Keep systems patched and updated
• Use hardened base images (CIS benchmarks)
• Disable unused protocols and services

Infrastructure as Code

• Use Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation)
• Enforce security policies via code
• Version control all infrastructure changes
• Review infrastructure changes before deployment

Monitoring and Alerting

Logging

• Enable comprehensive logging for all services
• Centralize logs in SIEM system
• Retain logs per compliance requirements
• Monitor for suspicious activity

Detection

• Set up intrusion detection systems (IDS)
• Implement security information and event management (SIEM)
• Configure anomaly detection
• Monitor for privilege escalation attempts

Alerting

• Alert on security events in real-time
• Configure escalation procedures
• Test incident response procedures
• Regular security audits and penetration testing

Compliance

• Align with relevant compliance frameworks (SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS)
• Document security controls
• Regular compliance assessments
• Maintain audit trails

Conclusion

Infrastructure hardening is an ongoing process. Regular reviews and updates ensure your infrastructure remains secure as threats evolve.

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