SQL DBA's Best practices for hardening sql server

The passion for becoming a professional DBA lead to the creation of this blog.

Lets start the first day with DBA's Best Practices to harden the sql server.

Summary of Best Practices

·         SQL Server should be hardened after the installation.

·         After the installation, use the SQL Server Configuration Manager tool in order to disable unnecessary features and services.

·         Install only required components.

·         Recent service packs and critical fixes should be installed for SQL Server and Windows.

·         Windows Authentication mode is more secure than SQL Authentication.

·         If there is still a need to use SQL Authentication – enforce strong password policy.

·         Disable the SA account and rename it. Do not use this account for SQL server management.

·         Change default SQL Server ports associated with the SQL Server installation to keep hackers from port scanning the server.

·         Change the service account password at regular intervals

·         Hide SQL Server instances or disable the SQL Server Browser service.

·         Remove BUILDIN\Administrators group from the SQL Server Logins.

·         Enable logging SQL Server login attempts (failed & successful).

·         Disable the SQL guest account.

·         Disable xp_cmdshell unless it is absolutely needed.

·         Block TCP port 1433 and UDP port 1434 at the firewall except for when the Administration & Data Server is not in the same security zone as the Logger.

·         Change the recovery actions of the Microsoft SQL Server service to restart after a failure.

·         Remove all sample databases, for example, Pubs and Northwind.

·         Enable auditing for failed logins

·         Enable both Named Pipes and TCP/IP endpoints during SQL Server 2008 R2 setup. Make sure Named Pipes has a higher order of priority than TCP/IP.

·         Not all schemas should be owned by dbo.

·         Enable automatic updates whenever feasible but test them before applying to production systems.

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