Endpoint Hardening Checklist

A defender’s guide for protecting systems & reducing attack surface

Security vendors love pushing new tools. It’s one of the reasons why the cybersecurity industry is valued at $166B, and expected to more than double by 2028. But ask unbiased experts and they’ll tell you — the best thing SMBs and the IT providers who serve them can do is forget chasing shiny new tools and invest time and resources into basic system hardening, instead.

And that’s exactly what this checklist will help you do. It’s our hope that, in addition to focusing your efforts, it can help serve as a basis for establishing secure baselines as well as tracking security improvements for management and stakeholders.

Why is endpoint hardening important?

Endpoint hardening is the practice of securing and protecting the endpoint devices within an organization’s network. This is important because endpoint devices, such as laptops and smartphones, are often targeted by cybercriminals seeking to gain access to sensitive data or disrupt operations.

There are several benefits to endpoint hardening:

Improved security: By strengthening the security of endpoint devices, organizations can reduce the risk of data breaches and cyber attacks.
Enhanced compliance: Endpoint hardening can help organizations meet regulatory requirements and industry standards related to data security.
Greater efficiency: Endpoint hardening can improve the performance and reliability of endpoint devices, leading to increased productivity and reduced downtime.
Cost savings: By preventing data breaches and cyber attacks, endpoint hardening can help organizations avoid the costly consequences of security incidents.

In summary, endpoint hardening is an essential practice for any organization looking to protect their sensitive data and ensure the smooth operation of their business.

Inside you’ll find actionable recommendations for the following:

Windows OS hardening
Network hardening
Account protections
Application hardening
Browser hardening
Additional resources and more