Scenario Always Fresh Wants To Ensure Its Computers Comply W

Scenarioalways Fresh Wants To Ensure Its Computers Comply With A Stand

Scenario always Fresh wants to ensure its computers comply with a standard security baseline and are regularly scanned for vulnerabilities. You choose to use the Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit to assess the basic security for all of your Windows computers, and use OpenVAS to perform vulnerability scans. Tasks Develop a procedure guide to ensure that a computer adheres to a standard security baseline and has no known vulnerabilities. For each application, fill in details for the following general steps: 1. Acquire and install the application. 2. Scan computers. 3. Review scan results. 4. Identify issues you need to address. 5. Document the steps to address each issue. Required Resources – Internet access – Course textbook Submission Requirements – Format: Microsoft Word (or compatible) – Font: Arial, size 12, double-space – Citation Style: Follow your school’s preferred style guide – Length: 2 to 4 pages Self-Assessment Checklist – I created a procedure guide that provides clear instructions that anyone with a basic technical knowledge base can follow. – I created a well-developed and formatted procedure guide with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. – I followed the submission guidelines.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Ensuring cybersecurity compliance within an organization's IT infrastructure is critical in today’s digital landscape. Regularly assessing the security posture of computers and addressing vulnerabilities proactively reduces the risk of cyber threats. This paper outlines a comprehensive procedure guide to ensure that all computers adhere to a standard security baseline and are free of known vulnerabilities by employing the Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit and OpenVAS. These tools enable systematic assessment, identification, and remediation of security issues across the organization's Windows computers.

Assessing Compliance with Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit

Acquire and Install the Application

The first step involves obtaining the Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit (SCT), which is freely available from Microsoft's official website. Download the latest version compatible with the organization’s Windows operating systems. The toolkit includes security baselines, configuration settings, and assessment tools. After downloading, install the toolkit on a designated administrative computer following standard software installation procedures, ensuring that administrative privileges are available and all system requirements are met.

Scan Computers for Security Baselines

Using the SCT, export the relevant security baseline tailored for the Windows versions in use. Deploy the baseline settings to target computers through Group Policy Objects (GPOs) or security templates. Run the Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit’s assessment scripts or tools like Security Policy Analysis to evaluate each device's configurations against the baseline standards. This process can be automated through scripts or centralized management consoles to streamline large-scale assessments.

Review Scan Results

Once assessments are complete, review generated reports highlighting compliance status, insecure configurations, or deviations from the standards. Pay particular attention to critical security settings such as password policies, user rights, audit policies, and system services. Cross-reference findings with organizational policies and industry best practices to determine compliance levels.

Identify Issues to Address

Based on the review, identify configuration issues, outdated settings, or non-compliance aspects that need remediation. For example, if a computer lacks encryption or has weak password policies, these should be prioritized. Document each deviation, noting its severity, potential impact, and the affected system(s).

Document Steps to Address Each Issue

For each identified issue, develop clear, repeatable instructions to correct the configuration. For instance:

  • Password policies: Update Group Policy settings to enforce minimum password lengths and complexity requirements.
  • Encryption standards: Enable BitLocker encryption on affected systems using the BitLocker Drive Encryption tool or through GPO.
  • Audit policies: Configure audit settings to capture security-relevant events and ensure proper logging.
  • These steps should be reformulated into step-by-step procedures understandable by staff with basic technical skills, accompanied by screenshots or references to official documentation, if applicable.
  • Assessing Vulnerabilities with OpenVAS
  • Acquire and Install the Application
  • Download OpenVAS, now known as Greenbone Vulnerability Management (GVM), from its official source. Install the scanner on a dedicated security assessment workstation following installation guides. Ensure network configurations permit communication with target computers, and establish security measures to prevent exploits of the scanner itself.
  • Scan Computers for Vulnerabilities
  • Configure OpenVAS scans by defining target IP addresses, selecting scan profiles (full, authenticated, or targeted scans), and scheduling scans as needed. Launch scans for all computers in the network, either manually or via automated scripting, to identify known vulnerabilities such as outdated software, misconfigurations, or missing patches.
  • Review Scan Results
  • After scans complete, carefully analyze vulnerability reports, prioritizing issues based on CVSS scores, exploitability, and potential impact. Categorize vulnerabilities into critical, high, medium, or low risks, and record specific details, including affected services, software versions, and remediation suggestions provided by OpenVAS.
  • Identify Issues You Need to Address
  • Identify which vulnerabilities require immediate attention due to their severity. For example, unpatched services vulnerable to known exploits or systems missing security patches should be prioritized. Document all vulnerabilities and their corresponding risk levels to facilitate effective remediation planning.
  • Document Steps to Address Each Issue
  • For each vulnerability, create detailed remediation steps such as:
  • Applying system and software patches using Windows Update or vendor-specific tools.
  • Disabling or reconfiguring vulnerable services or features.
  • Implementing additional security measures like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, or access controls.

    • Each remediation plan should include a clear description, step-by-step instructions, required resources, and verification procedures to confirm resolution.

    Conclusion

    Maintaining security compliance and vulnerability management requires a structured, repeatable process. Utilizing the Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit helps standardize configuration settings and monitor compliance, while OpenVAS provides comprehensive vulnerability detection. Regular implementation of these procedures ensures organizational assets are protected, vulnerabilities are promptly identified, and security standards are maintained.

    References

    • Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit. (2023). Microsoft. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/tools/security-compliance-toolkit
    • Greenbone Networks. (2023). Greenbone Vulnerability Management. https://www.greenbone.net/en/vulnerability-management/
    • Scarfone, K., & Mell, P. (2007). Guide to Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS). NIST Special Publication 800-94.
    • Jeon, K., & Park, S. (2020). Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing. Journal of Security and Privacy, 4(2), 111-125.
    • Bishop, M. (2003). Computer Security: Art and Science. Addison-Wesley.
    • Anderson, R. (2020). Security Engineering: A Guide to Building Dependable Distributed Systems. Wiley.
    • National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2018). Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity. NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
    • Sharma, R., & Goundar, S. (2021). Cybersecurity vulnerability audits and management policies. Journal of Information Security and Applications, 58, 102567.
    • National Cyber Security Centre. (2021). Vulnerability scanning best practices. NCSC Publications.
    • ISO/IEC 27001:2013. Information technology — Management systems — Requirements. International Organization for Standardization.

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