In this lesson,
we will learn about configuration and privilege management.
Configuration and privilege management
are the processes and tools
used to manage system settings and user permissions
to ensure secure, consistent, and compliant operation
across all enterprise devices and systems.
Configuration and privilege management concepts
include configuration management
and endpoint privilege management.
Configuration management is the control of system settings,
software versions, and updates
to maintain security and operational consistency.
Endpoint privilege management focuses
on controlling user access levels
and permissions on individual endpoints
to prevent unauthorized actions.
Let's learn more about configuration management
and endpoint privilege management.
First, we have configuration management.
Configuration management is used to control
and maintain system settings,
software versions, and updates.
The main goal of configuration management
is to ensure that systems remain secure
and operate consistently across the organization.
This is done by setting up rules
for how software is installed, updated,
and maintained on all devices within the organization.
One of the main tools used in this process
is Microsoft's System Center Configuration Manager or SCCM.
The SCCM allows administrators
to automate the deployment
of software updates, security patches,
and configuration settings across all windows
based devices in the network,
maintaining consistency and ensuring
that all systems are up-to-date
and compliant with security policies.
Another popular tool is Ansible,
which is an open source platform,
widely used for automating configuration tasks
across different types of systems,
including Linux, Windows, and network devices.
Ansible uses simple human readable scripts called playbooks
that define how systems should be configured and managed.
Then Ansible executes these playbooks
in a declarative manner,
meaning that it ensures the system
reaches the desired state specified in the playbook.
In declarative configurations,
tools like Ansible focus on the end state,
like ensuring that a particular
software package is installed
or a service is running.
Then they automatically handle
the necessary steps to achieve that state.
This simplifies management by allowing administrators
to define what the final configuration should look like,
and then letting Ansible take care
of the rest of the details.
Second, we have endpoint privilege management.
Endpoint Privilege management focuses
on managing user permissions on individual devices
or endpoints specifically.
Endpoint privilege management reduces security risks
by restricting user access
based on their specific roles
and the tasks that they need to perform.
This strategy minimizes the chances of unauthorized actions,
whether accidental or malicious
by enforcing the principle of least privilege.
In a Linux environment,
endpoint privilege management is commonly implemented
using the pseudo command,
which allows users to execute
specific administrative commands
without granting them full administrative rights.
By configuring the /etc/sudoers file,
which would be pronounced etc/sudoers.
Administrators can define precise command permissions
for users or groups,
effectively controlling what actions can be performed.
Advanced configurations might also include
time-based access controls and logging,
which can track and audit
privileged activities in real time.
In a Windows environment,
tools like Microsoft's Local Administrator
Password Solution or LAPS,
enhance endpoint security
by managing local administrative accounts.
LAPS automatically generates complex unique passwords
for local admin accounts on each endpoint,
and then it stores those passwords
securely in Active Directory
where access can be tightly controlled.
Secure storage combined with automated password rotation
minimizes the risk of lateral movement by attackers
who might exploit static credentials.
Furthermore, LAPS supports audit trails
and provides an easy way
to track password access,
allowing administrators to enforce
stringent security policies and maintain compliance.
So remember, configuration and privilege management
help organizations maintain
and secure consistent operation
across all their devices and systems.
First, configuration management focuses
on controlling system settings, software versions,
and updates to ensure
that devices are consistently configured and secure.
Second, endpoint privilege management controls
user access and permissions on individual devices,
minimizing security risks
by enforcing least privileged principles.
Both of these management approaches
involve using specialized tools to automate processes,
enforce security policies, and ensure compliance.
Together, they play a critical role
in preventing unauthorized actions
and maintaining the integrity of enterprise systems.