Secure Your Dedicated Server : Protecting data and keeping businesses safe require secure servers that you control both physically and electronically. A dedicated server gives you full control over its physical and software security; but that doesn’t mean setting it-and-forgetting-it; instead it requires ongoing attention to detail to remain safe. Here are 10 strategies that will help secure your dedicated server while keeping data safe: setting firewalls, monitoring logs and backing up regularly are just a few ways this advice will keep your information protected and safe.
Secure Your Dedicated Server
1. Set up A firewall
To secure your dedicated server effectively and protect its software installations, firewall setup is one of the first and foremost priorities. Before installing any applications or updates, ensure a firewall is in place – dedicated servers come equipped with built-in firewalls which can be managed via their dedicated server manager, making setup simple. If managing remotely via an inbound rule is preferred for remote management then make sure this rule allows access to remote connections as well.
2. Use secure Passwords
Passwords are your first line of defense when it comes to safeguarding your server, so make sure they’re long and complex – not reused across accounts – not easy for outsiders to guess. Instead, try to use a combination of letters, numbers and special characters instead – password managers are great way to keep track of all these complex passwords so that you don’t have to keep remembering all your account logins yourself!
3. Install and update software
Select and install only those programs necessary for running your dedicated server efficiently and reducing risks of vulnerabilities. Only install software from trusted sources and ensure all OS and application software updates are installed when your server comes online; managing software updates manually can be cumbersome; many dedicated server providers offer software update management tools which automatically check for and install updates when your server boots up.
4. Use two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) can provide your server with an extra layer of protection. When you log in, two-factor authentication requires you to provide a code unique both to you and the account you’re accessing – for example Dropbox or GitHub use this form of 2FA for users’ logins – this way even if someone gains access to your password they won’t be able to gain entry without first receiving an access code from their 2FA app.
5. Monitor server logs
Logs are the record of activity on your server. Usually comprehensive in nature, they provide an exact record of who has accessed and done what within your server environment. Log review should be an integral part of security protocol – keep and review regularly your server logs to detect threats or any suspicious activities that could indicate breach. Dedicated server providers typically include log management tools to track, filter and review accesses to your server.
6. Enable security alerts
Alerts are notifications from your server that something has been identified as potentially harmful or suspicious, providing an effective way of keeping an eye out for any unusual activity on the server and communicating them to email or other communication platforms. Antivirus software, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems often use alerts as a quick way of quickly spotting malicious activities; you can set rules and create specific alerts yourself as a safeguard measure.
7. Limit access to the server
As more people gain access to your server, the higher its risk of breach. When selecting your provider, be sure to consider all of their access control options before choosing which best meets your needs. If you plan on managing remotely, ensure your IP address has limited access by using an SSH key or two-factor authentication to authenticate connections or setting two-factor authentication on each IP address.
8. Regularly back up your data
Protect and prevent data loss with regular backups of both your server configuration and user data. Real-time remote backup solutions allow for real-time data archiving; just remember to store backups in another secure location – ideally offsite from where the server resides itself.
9. Implement network segmentation
Network segmentation involves isolating parts of your network in order to reduce the potential damage of a breach. By isolating certain portions, hackers who breach part of your server won’t gain access to sensitive data on the rest. If you manage your own server, network segmentation can be implemented via virtual LANs (VLANs) or dedicated switches.
10. Use an intrusion detection system
An intrusion detection system (IDS) is software designed to monitor your server for potential threats and malicious activity. IDS software can be found both from dedicated server providers as well as third-party solutions; when selecting third-party solutions make sure it integrates well with any existing security and monitoring tools you currently utilize.
Also Read : 6 Crucial Things to Consider Before Choosing a Web Hosting Service
Summary
Hosting your website or application on a dedicated server is a powerful and flexible solution, but it comes with significant technical challenges. To make sure it remains safe, take several steps such as using an appropriate firewall that only allows access by authorized people/devices; additionally ensure that any software you install comes from reliable sources.
To accomplish this goal, software update tools can ensure your operating system and other software are up-to-date with all of the latest security patches, while login authentication tools like 2-factor authentication help ensure only authorized users can log into your server. Furthermore, regular data backup should help avoid data loss; and network segmentation offers further security as a measure – should one portion of your server become vulnerable, the rest remain undisturbed.