Source: TECHCOMMUNITY.MICROSOFT.COM Author: JerryDevore URL: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/coreinfrastructureandsecurityblog/active-directory-hardening-series—part-7-%e2%80%93-implementing-least-privilege/4366626

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:

The blog emphasizes the importance of implementing least privilege in Active Directory to enhance security and reduce risks.

MAIN POINTS:

1. Least privilege is a core principle of Zero Trust and achievable using native Active Directory features.
2. Overprivileged service accounts should be reviewed and remediated to minimize security risks.
3. Restricting local administrative rights on devices reduces malware installation and credential theft.
4. Harden User Rights Assignments (URA) to eliminate unnecessary privileges and align with security baselines.
5. Group Policy delegations should be minimized to prevent attackers from exploiting GPOs.
6. Organizational Unit (OU) permissions need regular audits to avoid privilege accumulation over time.
7. Privileged groups like Domain Admins and Enterprise Admins must have strictly limited memberships.
8. Implement constrained Kerberos delegation to reduce risks from compromised accounts or services.
9. Split permissions for Exchange servers can reduce excessive privileges in hybrid environments.
10. Credential vaulting must be paired with proper account tiering and monitoring to mitigate risks.

TAKEAWAYS:

1. Regularly audit and remove unnecessary privileged accounts and permissions in Active Directory.
2. Use tools like AD ACL Scanner and Policy Analyzer to identify and remediate privilege issues.
3. Prioritize the use of constrained delegation and minimize Kerberos trust configurations.
4. Separate accounts by security tiers to ensure privileged accounts are not exposed in lower-tier systems.
5. Document changes and actively monitor privileged access to maintain a secure environment.