Windows Active Directory Hardening: Group Policy Best Practices

Active Directory (AD) manages enterprise Windows networks. Auditing Group Policy Objects (GPOs) prevents domain escalation vulnerabilities.

1. Enable LAPS (Local Administrator Password Solution)

LAPS dynamically randomizes local admin passwords across domain machines and stores them in Active Directory, preventing lateral movement using shared credentials.

2. Enforce SMB Signing

Require SMB signing to prevent Man-in-the-Middle credential relays on the local network.

3. Restrict NTLM

Disable outdated NTLM authentication protocols in favor of Kerberos security handshakes.