Configure a Local Security Policy on Server 2016

A key skill for modern system administrators of server systems is how to configure a local security policy. Security policies are rules / groups of rules for protecting critical resources on a shared system. Local security policies are crucial to the continued operations of a server. Without good security, resources can be corrupted or even removed on accident. An efficient server must have well-configured security policies unique to its use and its users’ needs. Knowing how to quickly and easily configure the local security policy will aid in any server manager’s day-to-day tasks.

A good system administrator of a server will need to be intimate with basic tasks such as how you set a local security policy and to access local group policy. Knowing the difference between local security policy vs group policy is also key. A local security policy applies to a unique user, and a group policy to a unique group of users. Another useful tool in a system administrator’s toolkit is the ability to audit user access logs. By adding auditing permissions, a user can view who has logged into the system and who has entered incorrect passwords multiple times. Auditing provides another layer of security for the server.

When working with Windows 2016 Server, there are many local security policies with which you must be familiar. These policies include policies for individual accounts and the ability to audit login attempts. This virtual lab will walk you through the steps of creating a local security policy on a Windows 2016 Server. You will create both local accounts with security policies and manage the local security policies for the server as a whole, including setting up auditing. You will gain valuable skills and understanding in best practices for managing a server, specifically how to set and maintain local security policies. The skills you gain in this lab will carry over to many careers in the IT field.

Understand the scenario: You are a Windows server administrator. You need to configure account policies.

Understand the environment: You will use a Windows 2016 Server. You will sign in as an administrator to configure Local Security Policy.

Configure account policies:

The first step of this lab is to perform the initial configuration of a user’s account’s security policies. You will:

• Log in to a Windows 2016 Server and open the Windows Administrative Tools.
• Open the local security policy settings.
• Configure the account policy for local users, including password requirements and lockout features.

Configure auditing:

The second step of this virtual lab is to configure account auditing. You will:

• Open the Audit Policy settings in Windows Administrative Tools.
• Change the setting for audit event policies.

Configure local policies:

The final step in this challenge is to configure local policies. You will:

• Open the Computer Management tool.
• Create a new user.
• Set the password policy for the new user.
• Assign user rights for the new user.
• Configure the Security Options for the new user.

Summary:

As an administrator of a Windows 2016 Server, there are many skills you must master. One of the most basic skills you need is the ability to configure a local security policy. This hands-on lab will give you real-world experience working with a Windows 2016 Server and its local security policies.

In the “Configure a Local Security Policy on Server 2016” virtual lab, you will accomplish the following:

• Configure the account security policies for local users on a Windows 2016 Server.
• Configure the auditing settings for local users.
• Configure the local security policies for a Windows 2016 Server.

Other Challenges in this series:

• GUIDED CHALLENGE: Managing Log Files Using Windows Server
• ADVANCED CHALLENGE: Can You Use the Sysinternals Suite to Review Permissions in Windows Server 2016?