Lab 1 Assessment Worksheet: Implementing Access Controls

Lab 1 Assessment Worksheetimplementing Access Controls With Windows

Relate how Windows Server 2012 Active Directory and the configuration of access controls achieve CIA for departmental LANs, departmental folders, and data. Is it a good practice to include the account or user name in the password? Why or why not? To enhance the strength of user passwords, what are some of the best practices to implement for user password definitions to maximize confidentiality? Can a user who is defined in Active Directory access a shared drive on a computer if the server with the shared drive is not part of the domain? When granting access to network systems for guests (i.e., auditors, consultants, third-party individuals, etc.), what security controls do you recommend implementing to maximize CIA of production systems and data? In the Access Controls Criteria table, what sharing changes were made to the MGRfiles folder on the TargetWindows01 server? In the Access Controls Criteria table, what sharing changes were made on the TargetWindows01 server to allow ShopFloor users to read/write files in the C:\LabDocuments\SFfiles folder? In the Access Controls Criteria table, what sharing changes were made on the TargetWindows01 server to allow HumanResources users to access files in the C:\LabDocuments\HRfiles folder? Explain how CIA can be achieved down to the folder and data file access level for departments and users using Active Directory and Windows Server 2012 R2 access control configurations. Configuring unique access controls for different user types is an example of which kind of access controls?

Paper For Above instruction

Implementing robust access controls within Windows Server 2012 Active Directory is essential to ensuring the Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (CIA) of data across departmental LANs, folders, and data repositories. This paper explores how Active Directory, when properly configured, supports CIA by segmenting access based on user roles, policies, and security settings, thereby restricting unauthorized access, maintaining data integrity, and ensuring system availability.

The core mechanism by which Windows Server 2012 achieves CIA is through the meticulous configuration of user accounts, groups, and permissions. Active Directory (AD) functions as a centralized authentication and authorization service, enabling administrators to create and manage user identities and assign specific access rights to resources such as shared folders and files. By implementing strict group policies and access control lists (ACLs), AD ensures that users can only access the data they are permitted to, thus protecting the confidentiality of sensitive information and safeguarding data integrity.

In the context of departmental LANs and data, access controls are configured at multiple levels, including network permissions, share permissions, and NTFS permissions. Share permissions govern access over the network to shared folders, while NTFS permissions provide granular control at the file and folder level. When combined, these controls enforce the principle of least privilege, restricting user actions to only what is necessary for their roles. This layered approach enhances the confidentiality of departmental data, ensures only authorized modifications (integrity), and minimizes system downtime, contributing to overall system availability.

Regarding password management, it is generally considered insecure to include the account or user name within passwords. Combining personal identifiers with passwords can reduce security because such information is often easier for malicious actors to discover or deduce through social engineering or data breaches. Best practices suggest using complex, unpredictable passwords comprising a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Regular password changes, the use of passphrases, and enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) further strengthen defenses by maximizing confidentiality and reducing the risk of credential compromise.

When considering access from non-domain-joined systems, such as a user accessing a shared drive on a standalone computer, it is important to recognize that Active Directory identities are not recognized outside the domain. Unless additional configurations like network security policies, local user accounts, or certificate-based authentication are implemented, users cannot access domain-restricted resources on non-domain systems seamlessly. This isolates resources from external or non-joined systems, preserving security.

For guest access—such as auditors, consultants, or third-party personnel—security controls should be rigorous to protect production environments. Implementing segregated guest networks, enforcing strong authentication mechanisms, using temporary or limited permissions, and applying Network Access Control (NAC) policies help protect the integrity and confidentiality of enterprise systems. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and monitoring access logs ensures accountability, while temporary permissions prevent persistent access vulnerabilities. These measures collectively maximize CIA for sensitive data and critical systems.

In the scenario-specific table, changes made to shared folder permissions on the TargetWindows01 server reflect tailored access control policies. For the MGRfiles folder, modifications likely involved setting specific share permissions and NTFS ACLs to restrict or allow administrative access. For the C:\LabDocuments\SFfiles folder designated for ShopFloor users, sharing configurations probably granted read/write privileges to the ShopFloor group. Similarly, for the HRfiles folder, permissions would have been set to permit Human Resources department members appropriate access, ensuring data confidentiality and integrity while enabling necessary availability.

Achieving CIA at the folder and file level within Windows Server 2012 R2 relies on a combination of NTFS permissions and share permissions, configured precisely according to organizational policies. By assigning specific permissions—such as read, write, modify, or full control—to user groups or individual accounts, administrators control who can access and modify data. These permissions can be customized for each department and user, providing a tailored security environment that aligns with the organization’s data governance and access policies. Configuring these controls as part of an overarching access control strategy exemplifies role-based access control (RBAC), where permissions are assigned based on user roles, enhancing both security and operational efficiency.

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