Active Directory Security

Active Directory Security Assessment

Comprehensive guide to securing your Active Directory infrastructure against modern threats

Why Active Directory Security Matters

Active Directory remains the backbone of enterprise identity management, making it a prime target for attackers. A single compromised account can lead to domain-wide compromise.

Privilege Escalation

Attackers target weak permissions and misconfigurations to gain elevated access

  • Domain Admin sprawl
  • Weak service accounts
  • Kerberos delegation issues

Credential Theft

Stolen credentials remain the most common attack vector

  • Pass-the-hash attacks
  • Golden ticket exploitation
  • NTLM relay attacks

Lateral Movement

Once inside, attackers move laterally to high-value targets

  • SMB relay vulnerabilities
  • Unconstrained delegation
  • Weak trust relationships

Assessment Methodology

Our comprehensive AD security assessment covers all critical areas

Discovery & Mapping

  • Domain controller identification
  • Trust relationship analysis
  • Group Policy enumeration
  • OU structure review
  • Service account inventory

Configuration Analysis

  • Security policy assessment
  • Password policy review
  • Account lockout settings
  • Audit policy evaluation
  • Kerberos configuration

Common Active Directory Vulnerabilities

The most frequently exploited weaknesses in AD environments

Weak Passwords

Default or easily guessable passwords on service accounts and admin accounts.

Risk: High
Impact: Complete domain compromise
Mitigation: Enforce strong password policies, regular password rotation

Over-Privileged Accounts

Users with Domain Admin rights who don't need them for their job function.

Risk: High
Impact: Unauthorized access to sensitive systems
Mitigation: Implement least privilege, regular access reviews

Unpatched Domain Controllers

Domain controllers running outdated operating systems or missing security patches.

Risk: Critical
Impact: Remote code execution, credential theft
Mitigation: Regular patching, vulnerability scanning

Kerberos Delegation Issues

Misconfigured Kerberos delegation allowing privilege escalation.

Risk: Medium
Impact: Service account compromise
Mitigation: Use constrained delegation, regular audits

Active Directory Security Best Practices

Implement these controls to harden your AD environment

1. Secure Domain Controllers

  • Physical security measures
  • Dedicated admin accounts
  • Regular security patching
  • Enable Windows Defender
  • Configure Windows Firewall

2. Implement Least Privilege

  • Regular access reviews
  • Remove unnecessary admin rights
  • Use Protected Users group
  • Implement time-based access
  • Monitor privileged account usage

3. Enable Advanced Auditing

  • Log authentication events
  • Monitor account changes
  • Track privilege escalation
  • Enable PowerShell logging
  • Use SIEM integration

Ready to Secure Your Active Directory?

Get a comprehensive AD security assessment with actionable remediation recommendations.