Server security: A guide to safeguarding your data in a vulnerable digital world

Servers are repositories for an organization’s most critical asset: Data. With ever-increasing cyber threats, server security becomes one of the most important aspects of any organization's strategy. Any data breach has the opportunity for both financial and legal consequences.

Server security refers to the collective measures taken to protect a server’s digital assets from unauthorized access and cyber threats. It is a critical aspect of an organization’s overall security stance, safeguarding the data that servers hold, process and serve.

Common threats to server security

Servers form the backbone of an enterprise’s digital infrastructure and, therefore, are vulnerable to certain cyber threats that could significantly disrupt network operations.

Servers are prone to a range of attacks, including malware, ransomware, phishing, and Denial-of-Service (DoS).

• Malware: Malicious software or malware attacks encompass a variety of cyber threats, including viruses, worms, trojans, and spyware. Malware can disrupt operations, release sensitive information, and even take control of the server for further malicious activities. For example, command and control (C&C) servers can distribute malware to multiple devices, potentially taking down entire networks.
• Ransomware: A ransomware attack is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files, making them inaccessible until a ransom is paid. Servers are particularly attractive targets for ransomware because they often store valuable data and provide critical services.
• Phishing: A phishing attack tricks individuals into providing sensitive information, such as login credentials. These attacks can also target servers by deceiving administrators into downloading malicious software or revealing access credentials, leading to broader network compromise.
• Denial-of-Service (DoS): A DoS attack aims to make a server or network resource unavailable to its intended users by overwhelming it with traffic. This can be achieved by exploiting software vulnerabilities to exhaust the server’s resources, such as RAM or CPU7. A more potent form, the Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack, involves multiple compromised systems attacking a single target, making mitigation more challenging.

To protect against threats, organizations must adopt a multi-layered security approach. This includes the implementation of firewalls, intrusion detection systems and regular software updates. Establishing strong access controls and employing encryption for data at rest and in transit are also crucial.

Best practices for server security

Implementing best practices for server security is critical to ensure data integrity, availability and confidentiality.

Some key security measures to protect servers include:

Implementation of firewalls:

1. Firewall configuration: Align firewall settings with a comprehensive firewall policy to control inbound and outbound traffic.
2. Testing and deployment: Regularly test firewalls to optimize configurations and deploy them in accordance to enterprise security policies.
3. Tight server management: Continuously manage and update firewall rules to maintain effectiveness against new threats.

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS):

1. Network IDS (NIDS): Deploy NIDS at strategic points to monitor traffic and detect malicious activities across the network.
2. Host IDS (HIDS): Install HIDS on individual hosts to monitor traffic and alert administrators to suspicious activities.
3. Anomaly detection: Use IDS to identify and alert on abnormal behavior that could indicate a security breach.

Conduct regular server updates:

1. Patch vulnerabilities: Regularly apply software patches to fix security holes and protect against exploitation by hackers.
2. Stay current: Keep server software up-to-date to defend against the latest cyber threats and maintain system stability.

CXtec advantage: Ensuring excellence with equal2new® servers

In the IT infrastructure space, ensuring quality and reliability is key, especially because servers form the backbone of business operations. 

With equal2new®, CXtec provides premium quality servers that are not only refurbished but brought up to a standard that equals new equipment. 

1. Quality checks: Each equal2new server undergoes a thorough and rigorous refurbishment process. Our commitment to quality is evident in efforts to offer the highest level of functionality and reliability.
2. Advanced replacement: equal2new servers are as good as new without compromising equipment quality and longevity. And our advanced replacement ensures issues are addressed quickly, minimizing downtime.
3. Customer support: Our experienced customer support extends beyond troubleshooting. We offer a comprehensive suite of services, including maintenance, installation, staging and configuration, as well as IT asset disposition (ITAD) services. Our highly-trained experts are also equipped to guide clients through every step of their IT hardware strategy, ensuring the infrastructure is error-free, up-to-date and scalable.
4. Sustainable and cost-effective solutions: equal2new servers offer not only high performance, but also sustainability. By extending the life of IT hardware, we help organizations meet their sustainability goals while saving money. This approach aligns with the growing need for environmentally responsible business practices in the technology sector.

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