Tips

Tips

Virtualization security and patch management

• Get to know the Kaspersky Light Agent app for virtual systems

  Kaspersky's Security for Virtualization Light Agent application provides multilayered protection for virtual servers and VDIs as well as their VMs and OSes across multiple hosts.  Continue Reading

• Incorporate NIST security and virtualization recommendations

  Review NIST virtualization security recommendations with this overview of hypervisor security guidelines, including tips on VM lifecycles and hypervisor platform management.  Continue Reading

• Build an IT maintenance plan around infrastructure needs

  Don't delay maintenance reboots. It's easy to forget to reboot hosts, tools and drivers, so use a reboot schedule to ensure your infrastructure remains functional.  Continue Reading

• Support a guest security policy with endpoint hardening

  Guest security relies not only on a series of tools and best practices, but also on a security mindset that starts with endpoint hardening and follows the deployment of every VM.  Continue Reading

• Preserve Hyper-V security from Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities

  Protect Hyper-V VMs from Meltdown and Spectre security vulnerabilities, and install patches from Microsoft. Watch out for future revisions, performance impacts and recalls.  Continue Reading

• Address bulk VMM agent updates with PowerShell automation

  The SCVMM agent upgrade process is a regular, but sometimes laborious, part of VM management. Use PowerShell to make light work of bulk updates through commands and loops.  Continue Reading

• Strengthen security in virtualization with these best practices

  Prioritize security across your organization, and establish policies that employ best practices, like least-privilege tactics, security audits and update and patch automation.  Continue Reading

• Prepare for VMware patches as if they were firmware upgrades

  VMware patches, due to interconnections with the rest of your system, require as much coordination as firmware upgrades. Balance update scheduling carefully to maintain control.  Continue Reading

• Virtual patching trades convenience for increased risk

  Performance might not suffer too much when using a virtual patch, but there are reliability, quality and support concerns associated with this technology.  Continue Reading

• How to choose between replacing and upgrading servers

  Be sure to research the risks and rewards of either replacing or upgrading servers and virtualization hosts before deciding which option is the right choice for your environment.  Continue Reading

• Set a VM service window when it's time for a tuneup

  Finding the right time for VM maintenance has always been tough, but SCVMM servicing windows can help get everyone on the same page.  Continue Reading

• DHCP Guard and advanced Hyper-V network security features

  While not right for every situation, some advanced security features can add a layer of defense to prevent malicious intrusions and protect a virtualized environment.  Continue Reading

• Virtual server security concerns we all forget

  Keeping our environments secure is of critical importance, but all too often we lose sight of what availability and security really mean.  Continue Reading

• Virtual server maintenance tasks we all forget

  It's easy to forget basic server maintenance tasks that keep virtualization hosts updated and your data center healthy.  Continue Reading

• How to recognize and prevent a hypervisor attack to protect data

  A hypervisor attack can hand hackers the keys to your virtual kingdom. But, with the proper precautions and tools, you can minimize the risk.  Continue Reading

• Virtualization and hypervisor security vulnerabilities to look out for

  Virtualization and hypervisor security vulnerabilities are a real threat to organizations, and physical security tools may not help your efforts.  Continue Reading

• How DMZ design improves VM security in the cloud

  With VM hosting in the cloud, your main concern is VM security. But with a solid DMZ design, you can keep VMs properly isolated.  Continue Reading

• Virtualization security: How vulnerable is your hypervisor?

  Choosing the right hypervisor for your infrastructure is not only critical for deployment and management purposes, but it also comes into play with virtualization security.  Continue Reading

• Virtualization challenges: Security, storage and VM sprawl

  The deeper you get into a virtualization project, the more challenges you face. Virtualization security and backup management are some of the most common.  Continue Reading

• Virtual security: New attack vectors, new ballgame

  With physical security, you don't have to consider breaches of virtual machines, utilities or virtual disk files. But virtualization creates new security risks and vulnerabilities.  Continue Reading

• Virtual network security best practices

  Since a network itself can become an attack vector, you need network security best practices to prevent a breach. Isolating vSwitches on your management network and using security apps intended for virtualization are two key tactics.  Continue Reading

• Meeting PCI DSS requirements in a virtual environment

  PCI DSS requirements don't address virtualized environments, but if there's a data breach, you're responsible. To avoid hefty fines, secure your hosts, VMs, storage and networking.  Continue Reading

• Why virtual machine updates are so important

  Virtual machine updates and patches require a game plan. This checklist helps eliminate the problems associated with virtual machine update management.  Continue Reading

• Hidden dangers of Hyper-V: Dormant virtual machines

  Virtualization can bring power to the data center, but beware proliferating virtual machines and the security risks they pose to your network.  Continue Reading

• How virtualization impacts IT staff, security and change management

  Virtualization breeds three new challenges: reorganizing IT department taskforces, recognizing new security vulnerabilities, and working with a complex change management process.  Continue Reading

• Improving VM Security: Best practices

  Learn about the potential vulnerabilities and discover how to make a proper risk assessment when using virtualization to lock down your virtual machines.  Continue Reading

• How to detect rogue virtual machines on a network

  In the final installment of his series, Harley Stagner offers code that will help you prevent and detect rogue virtual machines using Microsoft Virtual Server 2005.  Continue Reading