Server Security Hardening

Server hardening services for Linux, Windows, hosting environments, SSH, firewall, web stack, mail services, updates, exposed services and access control.

Reduce Your Attack Surface

Hardening reduces risk. It does not guarantee absolute security. What it does is raise the bar significantly — eliminating default credentials, closing unnecessary ports, restricting access, and ensuring your systems follow current best practices. HireSysAdmin provides hands-on server hardening for Linux, Windows, and hosting environments.

Linux Server Hardening

SSH hardening — key-only authentication, non-standard ports, connection limits, AllowUsers/AllowGroups
Firewall configuration — iptables, nftables, firewalld, CSF, UFW
User account audit — remove unused accounts, enforce strong passwords, restrict shell access
Sudo policy review — least-privilege access, logging, timeout configuration
Package updates and security patching
Disable unnecessary services and daemons
Kernel parameter tuning — sysctl hardening for network and memory protections
File permission audit on sensitive directories and configuration files
Log configuration and centralized logging setup
Fail2Ban or similar intrusion prevention
Automatic security update scheduling where appropriate

Web Stack Hardening

Apache and Nginx — disable directory listing, restrict HTTP methods, security headers
PHP — disable dangerous functions, restrict open_basedir, session hardening
ModSecurity / WAF rule deployment and tuning
SSL/TLS configuration — strong cipher suites, HSTS, certificate chain validation
Application-level access control for admin panels and sensitive endpoints
Database access restriction — bind to localhost, remove anonymous users, revoke excess privileges

Mail Service Hardening

SMTP authentication enforcement
Relay restriction and rate limiting
SPF, DKIM, and DMARC enforcement
TLS for inbound and outbound mail
Mail queue abuse monitoring

Hosting Environment Hardening

cPanel/WHM security settings — Tweak Settings, shell access, compiler restrictions
Plesk and DirectAdmin security review
PHP handler isolation — CloudLinux CageFS, PHP-FPM pools
Account-level resource limits
Backup access restriction

Windows Server Hardening

Local and domain account policy review
Group Policy hardening for standalone or AD-joined servers
Windows Firewall configuration and rule audit
Audit logging and event log configuration
Remote Desktop access restriction — NLA enforcement, gateway, IP filtering
Service account review and least-privilege enforcement
Windows Update configuration and WSUS coordination
Unnecessary roles and features removal
SMB, RDP, and WinRM protocol hardening

How We Work

Hardening is scoped per server. We review the current state, identify gaps, and execute changes with documentation of what was modified. We work during agreed maintenance windows when changes may affect availability. For ongoing security posture management, pair hardening with our monitoring service or a retainer plan.

Get Started

To begin a hardening engagement, contact us with your server details and any compliance requirements. We will provide a scope and quote before any changes are made.