Encrypt Sensitive Information

Ensure that all wired and/or wireless traffic is encrypted appropriately. Use best practices for authentication protocols, such as Kerberos, and ensure web traffic that may contain credentials is protected by SSL/TLS.

Encrypt data stored at rest in cloud storage.^[1][2] Managed encryption keys can be rotated by most providers. At a minimum, ensure an incident response plan to storage breach includes rotating the keys and test for impact on client applications.^[3]

Encrypt data stored at rest in databases.

Configure SNMPv3 to use the highest level of security (authPriv) available.^[4]

Where possible, ensure that online traffic is appropriately encrypted through services such as trusted VPNs.

Ensure Domain Controller backups are properly secured.

Consider encrypting important information to reduce an adversary’s ability to perform tailored data modifications.

When possible, store keys on separate cryptographic hardware instead of on the local system.

Use of encryption provides an added layer of security to sensitive information sent over email. Encryption using public key cryptography requires the adversary to obtain the private certificate along with an encryption key to decrypt messages.

Obfuscate/encrypt event files locally and in transit to avoid giving feedback to an adversary.

Enable AES Kerberos encryption (or another stronger encryption algorithm), rather than RC4, where possible.^[7]

Ensure certificates as well as associated private keys are appropriately secured. Consider utilizing additional hardware credential protections such as trusted platform modules (TPM) or hardware security modules (HSM). Enforce HTTPS and enable Extended Protection forAuthentication.^[8]

Ensure that all wired and/or wireless traffic is encrypted appropriately. Use best practices for authentication protocols, such as Kerberos, and ensure web traffic that may contain credentials is protected by SSL/TLS.

Encryption and off-system storage of sensitive information may be one way to mitigate collection of files, but may not stop an adversary from acquiring the information if an intrusion persists over a long period of time and the adversary is able to discover and access the data through other means. Strong passwords should be used on certain encrypted documents that use them to prevent offline cracking through Brute Force techniques.