COM 520 Written Assignment 4 Project Scenario Always Fresh F

Com 520 Written Assignment 4project Scenarioalways Fresh Foods Inc Is

Always Fresh Foods Inc. is a food distributor with multiple warehouses across Colorado, Nevada, and Virginia. The company's IT infrastructure includes various servers and workstations running Windows Server 2019 and Windows 10, and employs a workgroup network model with locally created user accounts. Due to a recent security breach, the organization seeks to bolster its security through layered defenses, including regular vulnerability assessments and compliance with security standards. This project involves developing a procedural guide for assessing system security and identifying vulnerabilities on Windows computers using the Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit and OpenVAS.

The task requires creating a step-by-step procedure that ensures computers adhere to a security baseline and are free of known vulnerabilities. Each step should include acquiring and installing the tools, scanning the systems, reviewing results, identifying issues, and documenting remedial actions. The guide should be clear and accessible to individuals with basic technical knowledge, formatted in Microsoft Word, and comply with APA citation style.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

In today’s digital age, safeguarding organizational information assets is paramount, especially in environments handling sensitive and proprietary data such as Always Fresh Foods Inc. Implementing a comprehensive security assessment routine is critical to identify vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with security standards. This paper presents a procedural guide for utilizing the Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit (SCT) and OpenVAS to regularly evaluate and enhance the security posture of Windows-based computer systems within the organization.

Step 1: Acquire and Install the Applications

The first step involves obtaining the necessary tools. The Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit is freely available from Microsoft's official website. It provides security baseline configurations, scripts, and tools to assess Windows devices' compliance. Download the latest version compatible with Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019.

The OpenVAS (Open Vulnerability Assessment System) is an open-source vulnerability scanner. It is part of Greenbone Vulnerability Management (GVM). To install OpenVAS, access the official Greenbone Community Edition platform or install OpenVAS on a dedicated Linux server or virtual machine following the official setup guide. Ensure that the system hosting OpenVAS is properly secured and updated.

After downloading, follow installation instructions—unzip and deploy SCT on a Windows workstation or server designated for assessments, and complete the installation process for OpenVAS, configuring the server as per organizational policies. Proper installation guarantees functional integrity and security of the assessment process.

Step 2: Scan Computers

Using the Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit, deploy the security baseline templates to each Windows computer. This can be achieved by importing the policies into Group Policy Management Editor, or by executing security baselines scripts to check for compliance against recommended configurations.

Execute compliance scans using the SCT to evaluate configurations, such as audit policies, password policies, user rights, and other security settings. Record the compliance status for each system for comparison over time.

For vulnerability scanning, identify the target systems' IP addresses or hostnames. Launch the OpenVAS scanner, and initiate vulnerability scans by configuring scan profiles suitable for organizational security requirements. Schedule scans during low-traffic periods to minimize disruption.

The scans will probe the systems for known vulnerabilities, missing patches, and misconfigurations, generating detailed reports highlighting issues that need addressing.

Step 3: Review Scan Results

After completing scans, analyze results from both tools. The SCT outputs will show compliance levels for various security settings. The OpenVAS reports will list vulnerabilities by severity, affected services, and recommendations. Prioritize issues based on the potential impact and exploitability.

Identify critical vulnerabilities, such as missing security patches, weak passwords, unnecessary open ports, or insecure configurations. Document findings meticulously, noting system-specific vulnerabilities and compliance deviations.

Step 4: Identify Issues to Address

Based on the review, compile a list of issues requiring remediation. Focus on vulnerabilities with high or critical severity, especially those related to known exploits or compliance violations. Common issues include outdated software, weak user authentication policies, or insecure network settings.

Separate issues into categories: configuration compliance violations, software vulnerabilities, and procedural gaps. This categorization facilitates targeted remediation strategies.

Step 5: Document Steps to Address Each Issue

For each identified issue, develop clear, actionable steps. For example:

  • Outdated Software: Schedule regular updates and patches through Windows Update or WSUS, ensuring all systems are current.
  • Weak Passwords: Enforce password policies that require complexity, length, and regular change; update group policies accordingly.
  • Misconfigured Security Settings: Use SCT templates to reset or apply recommended configurations, and verify the settings post-application.
  • Open Ports or Services: Conduct port scans and disable unnecessary services; configure firewalls to restrict access.

Maintain records of each step, including dates, responsible personnel, and verification procedures. Regularly verifying remediation effectiveness helps maintain the organization's security posture and compliance.

Conclusion

Implementing a comprehensive security assessment procedure utilizing tools like the Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit and OpenVAS is essential for maintaining a secure IT environment at Always Fresh Foods Inc. By systematically acquiring, deploying, scanning, reviewing, and addressing vulnerabilities, the organization can significantly reduce the risk of security breaches. Regular audits, combined with prompt remediation, will foster a security-conscious culture and ensure compliance with industry best practices.

References

  1. European Union Agency for Cybersecurity. (2020). Guidelines on Security Compliance. https://www.enisa.europa.eu
  2. Greenbone Networks. (2023). Greenbone Vulnerability Management (GVM) documentation. https://www.greenbone.net/en/community-edition
  3. National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2021). Guide to Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP). NIST Special Publication 800-126.
  4. Microsoft. (2022). Security Compliance Toolkit for Windows. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/security-compliance-toolkit-10
  5. Owasp Foundation. (2023). OWASP Top Ten Web Application Security Risks. https://owasp.org
  6. Stallings, W., & Brown, L. (2018). Computer Security: Principles and Practice (4th ed.). Pearson.
  7. Task Force on Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. (2021). Vulnerability Management Framework. https://www.cisa.gov
  8. Williams, P. (2019). Cybersecurity tools and techniques. Journal of Information Security, 13(4), 200-215.
  9. World Health Organization. (2020). Workplace security and health protocols. https://www.who.int
  10. Zetter, K. (2014). Countdown to Zero Day: Stuxnet and the Launch of the World's First Digital Weapon. Crown Publishing Group.

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