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Endpoint & Infrastructure Security Assessment
Find attack paths across servers, endpoints and Active Directory.
Security Configuration Hardening
Close the weaknesses hiding in default settings.
ThreatGaurd benchmarks your servers, endpoints, network devices, databases and cloud services against CIS Benchmarks, then helps your teams apply secure baselines in stages, without breaking the applications your business depends on.
Why it matters
Many attacks succeed through weak settings, not sophisticated exploits.
Default passwords, unnecessary services, legacy protocols and excessive permissions give attackers easy ways in and easy ways to move. They are also some of the simplest weaknesses to fix, once you know where they are.
Security configuration hardening brings your systems to a recognised, secure baseline, applies it safely in stages and documents it so it stays that way.
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Defaults favour convenience
Out of the box, operating systems, databases and devices favour ease of use, with services and protocols enabled that you do not need.
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Configuration drifts over time
Quick fixes, new software and manual changes slowly move systems away from their secure state.
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Auditors expect a defined baseline
ISO 27001, SOC 2 and PCI DSS all expect secure configuration standards that are documented, applied and checked.
Business outcomes
What hardening gives your business
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Fewer easy ways in
Remove the default accounts, unnecessary services and weak protocols that attackers rely on.
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Consistent, secure builds
Every new server and laptop starts from a documented, hardened baseline.
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Changes without outages
Changes are tested on pilot systems and rolled out in stages, with a way back if needed.
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Audit-ready evidence
Baselines, exceptions and before-and-after results that auditors can follow.
What we assess
Secure baselines for every platform you run.
We harden the platforms that matter most to you, using the matching CIS Benchmark or vendor guidance for each.
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Windows servers and endpoints
Servers, laptops and desktops, including Group Policy and Intune settings.
- Account, password and lockout policies
- Unnecessary services, SMBv1 and legacy protocols
- Audit logging, Defender and firewall settings
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Linux servers
Distributions such as Ubuntu, Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Debian that run your applications.
- SSH configuration and root access
- File permissions, services and kernel settings
- Logging, time synchronisation and updates
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Network devices and firewalls
Routers, switches, firewalls and wireless controllers.
- Admin access, multi-factor and management protocols
- SNMP, NTP and logging configuration
- Unused interfaces and default settings
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Databases and web servers
Database engines, web servers and middleware that store or serve your data.
- Default accounts, roles and privileges
- Encryption in transit and at rest
- Auditing, error handling and exposed features
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Cloud accounts and services
AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud accounts and their core services.
- Identity, root and administrator settings
- Storage, logging and encryption defaults
- Network exposure of managed services
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Microsoft 365 and identity
Tenant-wide settings for email, collaboration and identity.
- Multi-factor and conditional access policies
- Legacy authentication and external sharing
- Email protection and audit logging
Methodology
Choose how hands-on you want us to be.
Every engagement starts with a benchmark of where you are today. The level of implementation support is agreed during scoping.
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Assess and advise
We benchmark your systems and deliver a prioritised hardening plan for your teams to apply.
Best for
Teams with the capacity to implement changes themselves.
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Most common
Assess and implement together
We benchmark, plan and work alongside your teams to apply changes in stages, through your change process.
Best for
Most organisations. Faster results with less risk of disruption.
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Build secure baselines
We create hardened templates, golden images and policies for new systems.
Best for
New environments, rebuilds and standardisation projects.
Standards we follow
- CIS Benchmarks
- DISA STIGs
- NIST SP 800-123
- NIST SP 800-70
- Microsoft security baselines
- Vendor hardening guides
How it works
From first benchmark to verified baseline, in five steps.
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01
Scope and choose baselines
We agree platforms, sample systems and the right benchmark and profile for each. An NDA is signed before any access.
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02
Benchmark today
We measure current settings against the chosen baseline, using read-only collection where possible.
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03
Plan and pilot
We prioritise changes, flag likely business impact and test them on pilot systems with a rollback plan.
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04
Roll out in stages
Changes are applied through your change management process, in agreed windows, without disrupting operations.
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05
Verify and hand over
We benchmark again, document the final baselines and record any agreed exceptions.
Deliverables
Hardened systems, documented baselines and proof for auditors.
- Baseline assessment report Current compliance for each platform against the chosen benchmark, with the gaps that matter most.
- Prioritised hardening plan Changes ranked by risk reduction, with expected impact and rollback steps.
- Documented secure baselines Agreed settings for each platform, ready to use for new builds and audits.
- Exceptions register Settings intentionally not applied, with the business reason and any compensating controls.
- Verification report Before-and-after results that show the improvement to leadership and auditors.
Before hardening
After verification
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Windows Server 58% to 94%
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Linux servers 63% to 92%
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Network devices 49% to 88%
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Databases 55% to 90%
Average compliance
56%before hardening,91%after verification
Highest-risk change
SMBv1 and legacy authentication disabled on all servers
Why ThreatGaurd
Hardening that improves security without breaking the business.
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Business impact considered first
We flag settings that could affect applications before anything changes.
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Staged and reversible
Changes are piloted and rolled out in stages, with a rollback plan for each.
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Benchmarks, not opinions
Recommendations follow CIS Benchmarks and vendor guidance that auditors recognise.
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Built to last
Documented baselines and exceptions keep systems hardened after the engagement ends.
Supports compliance evidence for
- ISO/IEC 27001
- SOC 2
- PCI DSS
- HIPAA
- GDPR
- India DPDP Act
Our reports support your compliance evidence. Certification and audit opinions are issued by your auditor or certification body.
How we handle your dataRelated services
Go further after hardening.
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Network & Firewall Security Assessment
Firewall rules, segmentation and perimeter exposure.
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Cloud Security Posture Assessment
Find misconfigurations across AWS, Azure and Google Cloud.
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Managed Vulnerability Management
Continuous scanning, triage and retesting to catch drift.
FAQ
Questions leaders ask about configuration hardening
Can’t find your answer? Our team is happy to help.
What is security configuration hardening?
It is the process of changing system settings to reduce the ways an attacker can get in or move around: removing defaults, disabling unnecessary services and enforcing secure options. We measure your systems against a recognised baseline, such as the CIS Benchmarks, and help bring them in line.
Which benchmark should we use?
Most organisations use the CIS Benchmarks, which cover major operating systems, databases, network devices and cloud platforms. Some regulated or government-related environments use DISA STIGs. We recommend the right benchmark and profile for each platform during scoping.
Will hardening break our applications?
Some settings can affect older applications, which is why we review the business impact first, test changes on pilot systems and roll them out in stages with a rollback plan. Settings that cannot be applied are recorded as exceptions, with compensating controls where needed.
Do you apply the changes, or do our teams?
Either. We can provide a prioritised plan for your teams, or work alongside them to apply changes through your change management process. The level of support is agreed during scoping.
Do we need to reach 100% compliance with the benchmark?
No. The goal is to reduce risk, not to tick every box, and some settings will not suit your environment. We focus on the controls with the most security value and document any exceptions with the reason.
How do we keep systems hardened afterwards?
We document your secure baselines so they can be built into templates, group policies and configuration management. Regular benchmarking or continuous scanning, for example through managed vulnerability management, shows when systems start to drift.
What do you need from us to get started?
A list of the platforms and systems in scope, read-only access or exported settings for benchmarking, details of your change management process, and a technical contact for each platform.
How long does hardening take?
The first benchmark usually takes 1 to 2 weeks. Implementation depends on the number of platforms, your change windows and how hands-on you want us to be, and is planned with you after the benchmark.
How is the cost calculated?
Cost depends on the number of platforms and systems, the benchmarks used and how much implementation support you need. After the scoping call you receive a fixed-scope proposal for the benchmark, with a clear plan for implementation.
Will this help with ISO 27001, SOC 2 or PCI DSS?
Yes. These standards expect secure configuration standards that are documented, applied and checked. Our baselines, exceptions register and verification report support that evidence. The final audit opinion always rests with your auditor.
Get started
Find out how far your systems are from a secure baseline.
Tell us which platforms you run. We will come back with a clear scope and proposal, with no obligation.
What happens next
- A short scoping callWe learn your goals, environment and timelines.
- A fixed-scope proposalClear scope, approach, timeline and cost, in writing.
- Testing on your scheduleTesting starts on the agreed date, with regular updates.