Common Vulnerabilities and Risks

Active Directory serves as the backbone of user and rights management. Compromising it can have far-reaching consequences, as attackers can move around the network, extend permissions, and compromise sensitive data. Misconfigurations, outdated policies, and the increasing complexity of modern IT infrastructures further increase the risk.

TÜV Rheinland recommends that companies adopt a multi-layered “defense-in-depth” approach to secure AD environments. This includes:

• Minimal Privileges: Regularly review and reduce rights and permissions to the minimum necessary.
• Separation of administrator duties: Introduction of just-in-time administration and clear delineation of administrative tasks.
• Regular security audits: Identify vulnerabilities early and address them promptly.
• Security updates and patch management: Continuously update Active Directory (AD) components to close security gaps.

TÜV Rheinland: Your Partner in IT Security

TÜV Rheinland offers services such as vulnerability assessments, internal penetration tests, and comprehensive security assessments to help companies secure and future-proof their AD environments. “A secure Active Directory is not a one-time project, but rather an ongoing process,” emphasizes Daniel Hanke, a cybersecurity expert at TÜV Rheinland. “With our proven methods and independent assessments, we help companies protect their IT infrastructure in the long term and meet compliance requirements.”

White Paper: Recommendations for Action for Companies

The new TÜV Rheinland white paper, “How to Make Active Directory Secure,” offers practical recommendations for strengthening the security of AD environments. Further information and the white paper are available at: www.tuv.com/whitepaper-active-directory.