DevOps-Security-Agent-Skills/security/hardening/windows-hardening/SKILL.md

---
name: windows-hardening
description: Harden Windows servers per security baselines and CIS benchmarks. Configure Group Policy, Windows Defender, and security features. Use when securing Windows Server environments.
license: MIT
metadata:
  author: devops-skills
  version: "1.0"
---

# Windows Hardening

Secure Windows servers following Microsoft security baselines and CIS benchmarks.

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:
- Hardening new Windows Server deployments
- Implementing CIS benchmarks or Microsoft security baselines
- Preparing for compliance audits (SOC2, PCI-DSS, HIPAA)
- Configuring security features after a security incident
- Setting up Windows Defender and advanced threat protection
- Establishing Group Policy security standards for a domain

## Prerequisites

- Windows Server 2019 or later (2022 recommended)
- Local Administrator or Domain Admin access
- PowerShell 5.1+ (built into Windows Server)
- Group Policy Management Console for domain environments
- Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit (recommended)

## Security Baseline Deployment

```powershell
# Download and apply Microsoft Security Baseline
# Download from: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=55319

# Install Security Compliance Toolkit modules
Install-Module -Name SecurityPolicyDsc -Force
Install-Module -Name AuditPolicyDsc -Force
Install-Module -Name PSDesiredStateConfiguration -Force

# Import and apply a security baseline GPO (from Security Compliance Toolkit)
# Extract the toolkit, then:
Import-Module "$env:USERPROFILE\Downloads\SCT\LGPO.exe"

# Apply local group policy from baseline
.\LGPO.exe /g ".\GPO\{baseline-gpo-guid}"

# Export current security policy for review
secedit /export /cfg C:\SecurityAudit\current-policy.inf
```

## Account Policies

```powershell
# ============================================
# Password Policy Configuration
# ============================================

# Set password policy via net accounts
net accounts /minpwlen:14 /maxpwage:90 /minpwage:1 /uniquepw:24

# Or configure via PowerShell DSC
Configuration PasswordPolicy {
    Import-DscResource -ModuleName SecurityPolicyDsc

    Node localhost {
        AccountPolicy PasswordPolicy {
            Name                                = "PasswordPolicy"
            Minimum_Password_Length              = 14
            Maximum_Password_Age                = 90
            Minimum_Password_Age                = 1
            Enforce_password_history             = 24
            Password_must_meet_complexity_requirements = "Enabled"
            Store_passwords_using_reversible_encryption = "Disabled"
        }
    }
}

# ============================================
# Account Lockout Policy
# ============================================
net accounts /lockoutthreshold:5 /lockoutwindow:30 /lockoutduration:30

# ============================================
# User Account Hardening
# ============================================

# Rename and disable default accounts
Rename-LocalUser -Name "Administrator" -NewName "LocalAdmin"
Disable-LocalUser -Name "Guest"
Disable-LocalUser -Name "DefaultAccount"

# Remove unnecessary local accounts
$unnecessaryAccounts = Get-LocalUser | Where-Object {
    $_.Enabled -eq $true -and
    $_.Name -notin @("LocalAdmin", "SYSTEM", "NetworkService", "LocalService")
}
foreach ($account in $unnecessaryAccounts) {
    Write-Host "Review account: $($account.Name) - Last logon: $($account.LastLogon)"
}

# Configure Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS)
# Install LAPS module
Install-WindowsFeature -Name RSAT-AD-PowerShell
Import-Module AdmPwd.PS

# Configure LAPS for the OU
Set-AdmPwdComputerSelfPermission -OrgUnit "OU=Servers,DC=example,DC=com"
Set-AdmPwdReadPasswordPermission -OrgUnit "OU=Servers,DC=example,DC=com" -AllowedPrincipals "Domain Admins"
```

## Group Policy Security Settings

```powershell
# ============================================
# User Rights Assignment (via GPO or local policy)
# ============================================

# Restrict remote desktop access
# Computer Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > User Rights Assignment
# "Allow log on through Remote Desktop Services" = Administrators, Remote Desktop Users

# Deny log on locally for service accounts
# "Deny log on locally" = Service accounts

# Configure via registry (alternative to GPO)
# Restrict anonymous enumeration of SAM accounts
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa" `
    -Name "RestrictAnonymousSAM" -Value 1

# Restrict anonymous enumeration of shares
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa" `
    -Name "RestrictAnonymous" -Value 1

# Do not display last user name
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" `
    -Name "DontDisplayLastUserName" -Value 1

# ============================================
# Security Options
# ============================================

# Disable SMBv1 (critical security hardening)
Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol -NoRestart
Set-SmbServerConfiguration -EnableSMB1Protocol $false -Force

# Require SMB signing
Set-SmbServerConfiguration -RequireSecuritySignature $true -Force
Set-SmbClientConfiguration -RequireSecuritySignature $true -Force

# Disable LLMNR (prevent credential theft)
New-Item -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\DNSClient" -Force
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\DNSClient" `
    -Name "EnableMulticast" -Value 0

# Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
$adapters = Get-WmiObject Win32_NetworkAdapterConfiguration | Where-Object { $_.IPEnabled -eq $true }
foreach ($adapter in $adapters) {
    $adapter.SetTcpipNetbios(2)  # 2 = Disable
}

# Disable WDigest (prevent plaintext password caching)
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\WDigest" `
    -Name "UseLogonCredential" -Value 0

# Enable LSA Protection
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa" `
    -Name "RunAsPPL" -Value 1

# Configure UAC
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" `
    -Name "EnableLUA" -Value 1
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" `
    -Name "ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin" -Value 2
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" `
    -Name "PromptOnSecureDesktop" -Value 1
```

## Windows Firewall Configuration

```powershell
# ============================================
# Enable Windows Firewall on all profiles
# ============================================
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain,Public,Private -Enabled True

# Default deny inbound, allow outbound
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain -DefaultInboundAction Block -DefaultOutboundAction Allow
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Public -DefaultInboundAction Block -DefaultOutboundAction Allow
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Private -DefaultInboundAction Block -DefaultOutboundAction Allow

# Enable logging
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain -LogAllowed True -LogBlocked True `
    -LogFileName "%SystemRoot%\System32\LogFiles\Firewall\pfirewall.log" `
    -LogMaxSizeKilobytes 32768

# ============================================
# Inbound Rules
# ============================================

# Allow RDP from management network only
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Allow RDP - Management" `
    -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 3389 `
    -RemoteAddress 10.0.100.0/24 -Action Allow -Profile Domain

# Allow WinRM from management network
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Allow WinRM - Management" `
    -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 5985,5986 `
    -RemoteAddress 10.0.100.0/24 -Action Allow -Profile Domain

# Allow ICMP from internal networks
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Allow ICMP - Internal" `
    -Direction Inbound -Protocol ICMPv4 -IcmpType 8 `
    -RemoteAddress 10.0.0.0/8 -Action Allow

# Allow specific application
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Allow IIS HTTPS" `
    -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 443 `
    -Action Allow -Profile Domain,Private

# Block all other inbound by default (already set above)

# ============================================
# Outbound Rules (optional - restrict egress)
# ============================================

# Allow DNS
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Allow DNS" `
    -Direction Outbound -Protocol UDP -RemotePort 53 `
    -Action Allow

# Allow HTTPS for updates
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Allow HTTPS Out" `
    -Direction Outbound -Protocol TCP -RemotePort 443 `
    -Action Allow

# Allow NTP
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Allow NTP" `
    -Direction Outbound -Protocol UDP -RemotePort 123 `
    -Action Allow

# ============================================
# Firewall Audit
# ============================================

# List all enabled firewall rules
Get-NetFirewallRule -Enabled True | Format-Table DisplayName, Direction, Action, Profile

# Export firewall rules
netsh advfirewall export "C:\SecurityAudit\firewall-rules.wfw"

# Find overly permissive rules
Get-NetFirewallRule -Enabled True -Direction Inbound |
    Where-Object { $_.RemoteAddress -eq "Any" -and $_.Action -eq "Allow" } |
    Format-Table DisplayName, LocalPort, RemoteAddress, Profile
```

## Audit Policy Configuration

```powershell
# ============================================
# Advanced Audit Policy
# ============================================

# Account Logon
auditpol /set /subcategory:"Credential Validation" /success:enable /failure:enable
auditpol /set /subcategory:"Kerberos Authentication Service" /success:enable /failure:enable
auditpol /set /subcategory:"Kerberos Service Ticket Operations" /success:enable /failure:enable

# Account Management
auditpol /set /subcategory:"Computer Account Management" /success:enable
auditpol /set /subcategory:"Security Group Management" /success:enable
auditpol /set /subcategory:"User Account Management" /success:enable /failure:enable

# Logon/Logoff
auditpol /set /subcategory:"Logon" /success:enable /failure:enable
auditpol /set /subcategory:"Logoff" /success:enable
auditpol /set /subcategory:"Account Lockout" /success:enable /failure:enable
auditpol /set /subcategory:"Special Logon" /success:enable

# Object Access
auditpol /set /subcategory:"File System" /success:enable /failure:enable
auditpol /set /subcategory:"Registry" /success:enable /failure:enable
auditpol /set /subcategory:"SAM" /success:enable /failure:enable

# Policy Change
auditpol /set /subcategory:"Audit Policy Change" /success:enable /failure:enable
auditpol /set /subcategory:"Authentication Policy Change" /success:enable
auditpol /set /subcategory:"Authorization Policy Change" /success:enable

# Privilege Use
auditpol /set /subcategory:"Sensitive Privilege Use" /success:enable /failure:enable

# System
auditpol /set /subcategory:"Security State Change" /success:enable /failure:enable
auditpol /set /subcategory:"Security System Extension" /success:enable /failure:enable
auditpol /set /subcategory:"System Integrity" /success:enable /failure:enable

# Verify audit policy
auditpol /get /category:*

# Export audit policy
auditpol /backup /file:C:\SecurityAudit\audit-policy.csv

# ============================================
# PowerShell Logging (Critical for forensics)
# ============================================

# Enable Script Block Logging
New-Item -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell\ScriptBlockLogging" -Force
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell\ScriptBlockLogging" `
    -Name "EnableScriptBlockLogging" -Value 1

# Enable Module Logging
New-Item -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell\ModuleLogging" -Force
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell\ModuleLogging" `
    -Name "EnableModuleLogging" -Value 1
New-Item -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell\ModuleLogging\ModuleNames" -Force
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell\ModuleLogging\ModuleNames" `
    -Name "*" -Value "*"

# Enable Transcription Logging
New-Item -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell\Transcription" -Force
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell\Transcription" `
    -Name "EnableTranscripting" -Value 1
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell\Transcription" `
    -Name "OutputDirectory" -Value "C:\PSLogs"
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell\Transcription" `
    -Name "EnableInvocationHeader" -Value 1

# Configure Windows Event Forwarding (WEF) for centralized logging
wecutil qc /q
```

## Windows Defender Configuration

```powershell
# ============================================
# Real-time Protection
# ============================================
Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $false
Set-MpPreference -DisableBehaviorMonitoring $false
Set-MpPreference -DisableIOAVProtection $false
Set-MpPreference -DisableScriptScanning $false

# ============================================
# Cloud Protection
# ============================================
Set-MpPreference -MAPSReporting Advanced
Set-MpPreference -SubmitSamplesConsent SendAllSamples
Set-MpPreference -CloudBlockLevel High
Set-MpPreference -CloudExtendedTimeout 50

# ============================================
# Scan Configuration
# ============================================
Set-MpPreference -ScanScheduleDay Everyday
Set-MpPreference -ScanScheduleTime 02:00:00
Set-MpPreference -ScanParameters FullScan

# Quick scan daily, full scan weekly
Set-MpPreference -ScanScheduleQuickScanTime 12:00:00

# Scan removable drives
Set-MpPreference -DisableRemovableDriveScanning $false

# Scan network files
Set-MpPreference -DisableScanningNetworkFiles $false

# ============================================
# Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) Rules
# ============================================

# Block executable content from email and webmail
Add-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids BE9BA2D9-53EA-4CDC-84E5-9B1EEEE46550 `
    -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions Enabled

# Block Office applications from creating child processes
Add-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids D4F940AB-401B-4EFC-AADC-AD5F3C50688A `
    -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions Enabled

# Block credential stealing from LSASS
Add-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids 9E6C4E1F-7D60-472F-BA1A-A39EF669E4B2 `
    -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions Enabled

# Block process creations from PSExec and WMI commands
Add-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids D1E49AAC-8F56-4280-B9BA-993A6D77406C `
    -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions Enabled

# Block JavaScript and VBScript from launching downloaded content
Add-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids D3E037E1-3EB8-44C8-A917-57927947596D `
    -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions Enabled

# Block Office macros from calling Win32 API
Add-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids 92E97FA1-2EDF-4476-BDD6-9DD0B4DDDC7B `
    -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions Enabled

# View ASR rule status
Get-MpPreference | Select-Object -ExpandProperty AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids
Get-MpPreference | Select-Object -ExpandProperty AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions

# ============================================
# Exclusions (minimize these)
# ============================================
# Only add exclusions when absolutely necessary and document the reason
Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "C:\AppData\SpecificApp" # Reason: false positive on app binary

# Review current exclusions
Get-MpPreference | Select-Object -ExpandProperty ExclusionPath
Get-MpPreference | Select-Object -ExpandProperty ExclusionProcess
Get-MpPreference | Select-Object -ExpandProperty ExclusionExtension

# Update definitions manually
Update-MpSignature
```

## BitLocker Drive Encryption

```powershell
# ============================================
# Enable BitLocker on OS drive with TPM
# ============================================

# Check TPM status
Get-Tpm

# Enable BitLocker with TPM protector
Enable-BitLocker -MountPoint "C:" -TpmProtector -EncryptionMethod XtsAes256

# Add recovery password protector
Add-BitLockerKeyProtector -MountPoint "C:" -RecoveryPasswordProtector

# Backup recovery key to Active Directory
Backup-BitLockerKeyProtector -MountPoint "C:" -KeyProtectorId (
    (Get-BitLockerVolume -MountPoint "C:").KeyProtector |
    Where-Object { $_.KeyProtectorType -eq "RecoveryPassword" }
).KeyProtectorId

# Enable BitLocker on data drives
Enable-BitLocker -MountPoint "D:" -RecoveryPasswordProtector -EncryptionMethod XtsAes256 -Password (
    Read-Host -AsSecureString "Enter BitLocker password for D:"
)

# Check BitLocker status
Get-BitLockerVolume | Format-Table MountPoint, VolumeStatus, EncryptionMethod, ProtectionStatus

# Configure BitLocker via Group Policy
# Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > BitLocker Drive Encryption
# - Require additional authentication at startup: Enabled (Allow BitLocker without a compatible TPM: unchecked)
# - Choose drive encryption method: XTS-AES 256-bit
```

## Credential Guard

```powershell
# ============================================
# Enable Windows Credential Guard
# ============================================

# Check hardware compatibility
# Requires: UEFI, Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, VBS-compatible CPU
systeminfo | findstr /i "Hyper-V"

# Enable via registry
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard" `
    -Name "EnableVirtualizationBasedSecurity" -Value 1
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard" `
    -Name "RequirePlatformSecurityFeatures" -Value 3  # 3 = Secure Boot + DMA Protection
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa" `
    -Name "LsaCfgFlags" -Value 1  # 1 = Enabled with UEFI lock

# Verify Credential Guard status
Get-CimInstance -ClassName Win32_DeviceGuard -Namespace root\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceGuard |
    Select-Object SecurityServicesRunning, VirtualizationBasedSecurityStatus
```

## AppLocker Configuration

```powershell
# ============================================
# Configure AppLocker for application whitelisting
# ============================================

# Generate default rules
# Computer Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Application Control Policies > AppLocker

# Create default executable rules via PowerShell
$ruleCollection = @"
<AppLockerPolicy Version="1">
  <RuleCollection Type="Exe" EnforcementMode="AuditOnly">
    <FilePathRule Id="921cc481-6e17-4653-8f75-050b80acca20" Name="Allow Program Files" Description="" UserOrGroupSid="S-1-1-0" Action="Allow">
      <Conditions>
        <FilePathCondition Path="%PROGRAMFILES%\*"/>
      </Conditions>
    </FilePathRule>
    <FilePathRule Id="a61c8b2c-a319-4cd0-9690-d2177cad7b51" Name="Allow Windows" Description="" UserOrGroupSid="S-1-1-0" Action="Allow">
      <Conditions>
        <FilePathCondition Path="%WINDIR%\*"/>
      </Conditions>
    </FilePathRule>
    <FilePublisherRule Id="b7af7102-efde-4369-8a89-7a6a392d1473" Name="Allow signed by Microsoft" Description="" UserOrGroupSid="S-1-1-0" Action="Allow">
      <Conditions>
        <FilePublisherCondition PublisherName="O=MICROSOFT CORPORATION*" ProductName="*" BinaryName="*">
          <BinaryVersionRange LowSection="*" HighSection="*"/>
        </FilePublisherCondition>
      </Conditions>
    </FilePublisherRule>
  </RuleCollection>
</AppLockerPolicy>
"@

# Start AppLocker service
Set-Service -Name AppIDSvc -StartupType Automatic
Start-Service AppIDSvc

# Set to Audit mode first, then switch to Enforce after tuning
# Review logs: Event Viewer > Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > AppLocker
```

## Security Audit Script

```powershell
# windows-security-audit.ps1 - Comprehensive security audit

Write-Host "=== Windows Security Audit Report ===" -ForegroundColor Cyan
Write-Host "Date: $(Get-Date -Format 'yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss UTC' -AsUTC)"
Write-Host "Host: $env:COMPUTERNAME"
Write-Host ""

# OS Info
Write-Host "--- OS Information ---" -ForegroundColor Yellow
Get-CimInstance Win32_OperatingSystem | Format-Table Caption, Version, BuildNumber, OSArchitecture

# Firewall status
Write-Host "--- Firewall Status ---" -ForegroundColor Yellow
Get-NetFirewallProfile | Format-Table Name, Enabled, DefaultInboundAction, DefaultOutboundAction

# SMBv1 status
Write-Host "--- SMB Status ---" -ForegroundColor Yellow
$smb1 = Get-SmbServerConfiguration | Select-Object EnableSMB1Protocol
if ($smb1.EnableSMB1Protocol) { Write-Host "WARNING: SMBv1 is ENABLED" -ForegroundColor Red }
else { Write-Host "OK: SMBv1 is disabled" -ForegroundColor Green }

# Windows Defender status
Write-Host "--- Windows Defender ---" -ForegroundColor Yellow
Get-MpComputerStatus | Format-Table AMServiceEnabled, RealTimeProtectionEnabled, AntivirusSignatureLastUpdated

# BitLocker status
Write-Host "--- BitLocker ---" -ForegroundColor Yellow
Get-BitLockerVolume | Format-Table MountPoint, ProtectionStatus, EncryptionMethod

# Open ports
Write-Host "--- Listening Ports ---" -ForegroundColor Yellow
Get-NetTCPConnection -State Listen | Sort-Object LocalPort |
    Format-Table LocalAddress, LocalPort, OwningProcess,
    @{N="Process";E={(Get-Process -Id $_.OwningProcess -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue).Name}}

# Local administrators
Write-Host "--- Local Administrators ---" -ForegroundColor Yellow
Get-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" | Format-Table Name, ObjectClass, PrincipalSource

# Pending updates
Write-Host "--- Windows Update ---" -ForegroundColor Yellow
$updateSession = New-Object -ComObject Microsoft.Update.Session
$updateSearcher = $updateSession.CreateUpdateSearcher()
$pendingUpdates = $updateSearcher.Search("IsInstalled=0")
Write-Host "Pending updates: $($pendingUpdates.Updates.Count)"

# Audit policy
Write-Host "--- Audit Policy ---" -ForegroundColor Yellow
auditpol /get /category:* | Select-String "Success|Failure|No Auditing"

Write-Host "`n=== Audit Complete ===" -ForegroundColor Cyan
```

## Troubleshooting

| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---------|-------|----------|
| GPO not applying | GPO not linked or filtered | Run `gpresult /r`; check OU linking and security filtering |
| BitLocker fails to enable | TPM not present or enabled | Check BIOS/UEFI for TPM; run `manage-bde -status` |
| AppLocker blocks legitimate apps | Rules too restrictive | Start in Audit mode; review AppLocker event logs; add exceptions |
| Credential Guard breaks apps | Legacy auth protocols blocked | Identify apps using NTLM/CredSSP; migrate to Kerberos/modern auth |
| SMBv1 removal breaks legacy devices | Old devices require SMBv1 | Isolate legacy devices; plan migration; document risk acceptance |
| Windows Defender exclusions too broad | Performance tuning added wide paths | Review and narrow exclusions; document business justification |
| Audit logs filling disk | Too many audit events | Increase log size; configure log forwarding to SIEM; tune audit categories |
| Firewall rules not persisting | Rules created without -PolicyStore | Use `-PolicyStore PersistentStore`; verify with `Get-NetFirewallRule` |

## Best Practices

- Apply Microsoft security baselines as a starting point
- Disable SMBv1 on all systems (no exceptions without documented risk acceptance)
- Enable Credential Guard on all compatible hardware
- Configure AppLocker in audit mode first, then enforce after tuning
- Enable all recommended audit subcategories and forward to SIEM
- Enable PowerShell script block and module logging on all servers
- Implement LAPS for local administrator password management
- Enable BitLocker on all drives with TPM and recovery key backup
- Apply Attack Surface Reduction rules in Windows Defender
- Perform monthly security audits with the audit script
- Keep Windows fully patched with automated update management
- Disable unnecessary services and features to reduce attack surface
- Use Windows Firewall with explicit allow rules per application

## Related Skills

- [cis-benchmarks](../cis-benchmarks/) - Compliance scanning
- [windows-server](../../../infrastructure/servers/windows-server/) - Server administration
- [linux-hardening](../linux-hardening/) - Linux security hardening