The top 10 AD security questions CISOs must ask

キーポイント

• Avoid agent-based Active Directory security solutions. The installation of an agent should not be a requirement for enabling Active Directory security on a domain controller, or any endpoint for that matter. Read the guide to learn why.
• Event logs are not enough. Sophisticated threats, like a DCShadow attack, don’t produce event logs. Others disable logging in Active Directory. Both techniques allow threat actors to evade traditional log-based detection.
• You need proactive hardening. The most common way AD gets hacked today is through exploitation of misconfigurations in the AD software, so the goal of your AD security strategy should be to find and fix misconfigurations and other weaknesses before attackers can exploit them.
• Hybrid environments add complexity. You need unified visibility to secure on-premises Active Directory and Azure AD environments.

Active Directory のセキュリティとは何ですか?

Active Directory security protects Active Directory services by proactively finding and fixing misconfigurations and vulnerabilities threat actors can exploit to escalate their privileges or propagate ransomware.

The pace of adoption, complexity, and constant change associated with Active Directory makes it a prime target for threat actors. One Active Directory misconfiguration can create an attack path leading to your organization’s most critical systems or data.

Active Directory security solutions should focus on proactive Active Directory hardening, continuous monitoring of the AD environment, and real-time detection of attack paths. and detection.

• Make sure your AD security provider can find your hidden Active Directory attack paths. Get the guide to learn 10 critical questions you need to ask.

Why traditional Active Directory security fails

Analyzing what happened after an attack has occurred can give you insight into where you have security gaps and what you need to fix, but it’s not proactive. Instead of a zero-day exploit, the most common vector is the quiet exploitation of existing, overlooked pathways.

Misconfigurations are the open door

The most common way threat actors initiate Active Directory attacks is through misconfigurations. With researchers discovering 10 to 20 toxic Active Directory configurations each year, your Active Directory attack surface can include excessive user permissions or misconfigured group policy objects. Attackers systematically scan for these openings to propagate ransomware and bring your operations to a halt.

Reactive security tools can’t keep up

Modern attack techniques are stealthy. An attacker using a method like Kerberoasting can steal credentials in a way that makes malicious activity blend in with normal network traffic. By the time a reactive cybersecurity tool flags a potential issue, you already have damage. Perimeter and endpoint security solutions are vital, but they can’t protect Active Directory.

• Stop attackers before they exploit your Active Directory. Download "The top 10 AD security questions" to learn why you need tools that can proactively find and fix dangerous misconfigurations.

Harden your defenses with a modern security approach

Modern Active Directory security strategies need a different mindset, like using attack path analysis to find and reduce attack paths before attackers find them. This approach is part of Active Directory security best practices.

Platforms like Tenable Identity Exposure (formerly known as Tenable.ad) have attack path analysis capabilities. These solutions don’t require agents that demand privileged rights. Your Active Directory security platform must be able to support both on-premises AD security and Azure AD security.

10 questions to ask your Active Directory platform vendor

As a CISO, choosing the right Active Directory security vendor means asking specific questions that cut through marketing noise. Here are 10 to help you choose the right Active Directory security solution for your organization:

1. What are the deployment and access requirements for your Active Directory security solution?
2. How quickly does the solution surface critical information?
3. Will it work across my entire hybrid environment?
4. What detection methodology does it use?
5. Can it identify vulnerabilities before threat actors find them?
6. Does it provide actionable insights when I need them?
7. Which threat detection capabilities do you include?
8. How deep does the investigative functionality go?
9. Can your solution help me see and understand complex security relationships?
10. Will it work with my existing security stack?

The answers to these questions will give you more information about a vendor's capabilities than a standard feature list.

• Secure your entire AD environment, from on-prem to the cloud. Get the white paper now and start asking vendors the right questions.

Frequently asked questions about Active Directory security

Find the answers to common questions about Active Directory. This information can help you understand the key details.

What is the Active Directory security risk?

The single biggest risk in Active Directory Security is misconfigurations. While vulnerabilities in the software exist, it is the countless ways you can misconfigure policies, permissions, and trusts that provide attackers with high-risk attack paths leading to your crown jewels.

What are common Active Directory attacks?

Specific techniques include Kerberoasting to steal credentials, Golden Ticket attacks to get persistent domain access, and DCShadow attacks to make undetectable changes to your Active Directory database.

Why are agentless solutions better for AD security?

Installing software agents on domain controllers introduces unnecessary security risk. Agents often require privileged rights and "trust-based" jurisdiction, which means surrendering control of your Active Directory objects to a third party. They can also have strict update and .net framework requirements, even on the domain controller itself. An agentless approach is inherently safer because it does not require surrendering Active Directory privileged rights.

How often should I audit Active Directory?

Active Directory is not a static system. You should continuously monitor it in real time. Traditional periodic audits are insufficient. A single change at any moment can introduce a critical risk.

• Close your identity security gaps. Download the free guide to ensure you get the right Active Directory security protection.