Conducting Supplemental Monitoring

Welcome to the "Conducting Supplemental Monitoring" computer lab, where you will embark on a journey to enhance your skills in monitoring and maintaining the security of Windows Active Directory and services. In today's ever-evolving digital landscape, maintaining a vigilant eye on system activities is of paramount importance to ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of sensitive data and resources.

As technology continues to advance, so do the methods employed by malicious actors seeking to exploit vulnerabilities and gain unauthorized access. To counter these threats, organizations must adopt a proactive approach, continuously monitoring their systems for any unusual or unauthorized activities. This lab will equip you with the knowledge and hands-on experience to effectively monitor and respond to critical events within a Windows Active Directory environment.

Overview

Student will do the following:

  • Examine IP configuration for anomalies.
  • Check the firewall configuration.
  • Look for additional domain admin accounts.
  • Observe the entries in Task Scheduler for cancelled tasks.
Courses

Key terms and descriptions

Domains and Domain Controllers
Domains are logical units within the network that allow for centralized management. Each domain contains objects such as users, computers, and printers. Domain Controllers (DCs) are servers responsible for authenticating users, enforcing security policies, and maintaining the directory database.
Organizational Units (OUs)
OUs enable the hierarchical structuring of objects within domains. They provide a way to delegate administrative tasks, allowing organizations to manage resources efficiently.
Users and Groups
Users are individuals who access the network, whereas groups are collections of users that simplify permissions management. Group policies can be applied to control user access and settings.
Group Policies
Group Policies define the configuration and security settings applied to users and computers. They play a crucial role in maintaining a standardized environment and enforcing security policies.
Trust Relationships
Trusts establish secure connections between different domains, enabling users from one domain to access resources in another.
Security Monitoring
Active Directory enables administrators to implement security measures such as access controls, authentication policies, and password policies. Monitoring security-related events and logs within Active Directory provides insights into unauthorized access attempts, policy violations, and potential security breaches.
User Activity Tracking
By tracking user logins, access permissions, and activity, administrators can identify abnormal behavior or unauthorized access attempts. Monitoring user activity assists in detecting insider threats and ensuring compliance with security protocols.
Change Tracking
Active Directory maintains detailed records of changes made to objects, policies, and configurations. Monitoring these changes is essential to identify potentially malicious modifications or inadvertent alterations that might impact system functionality.
Performance Monitoring
Active Directory's performance directly affects network operations. Monitoring performance metrics, such as response times, replication status, and server utilization, helps administrators proactively address issues that might degrade system performance.