In this lesson, we're going
to briefly discuss process-level remediation
and the appropriate recommendations
for remediation after your pentest.
First, let's define what we mean
by process-level remediation.
Process-level remediation involves
resolving security findings
by changing how a process is carried out
rather than directly modifying
or patching the underlying systems.
This approach is often used when technical challenges
make it difficult to alter the systems themselves.
The most basic aspect of process-level remediation
is adjusting workflows or methods
to enhance security without requiring significant changes
to the underlying technology.
This can be particularly useful in environments
where legacy systems or constraints
make direct modification impractical.
A key characteristic of process-level remediation
is its focus on altering operational procedures.
For instance, if a process currently
uses a non-secure channel like Telnet,
it can be migrated to a secure channel like SSH.
This ensures that data transmission is encrypted and secure
even if the underlying system cannot be updated
to support SSH natively.
To clarify, let's look at an example.
Consider a situation where a specific application
does not support modern encryption methods.
Instead of accepting the security risk,
you could implement a process change.
This involves using a secure VPN
to create an encrypted tunnel for data transmission,
thereby protecting data in transit
even if the application itself remains unchanged.
Another example involves password management.
If the current process involves using static passwords
that are rarely changed,
you can implement a process
for randomized password rotation.
This means passwords are changed frequently
and automatically,
reducing the risk of password-related attacks
without altering the underlying authentication systems.
So, why is this important?
Process-level remediation is critical
because it provides a flexible approach to enhance security,
especially in situations
where direct system modifications are not feasible.
This helps a lot with organizations
that rely on older technologies
and do not necessarily have the budget or expertise
to upgrade.
This is a classic example
of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
So, how do you recommend appropriate remediation
after a pentest for process-level issues?
First, we start by identifying processes
that pose security risks
due to their current implementation.
Then we evaluate the feasibility of changing these processes
to incorporate more secure methods.
And lastly, as we've emphasized
multiple times at this point,
we must conduct regular training sessions
to ensure that all personnel understand the new processes
and the importance to follow them.
This helps to ensure compliance and smooth integration
of the new processes into daily operations.
So, remember, process-level remediation
is an essential practice for enhancing security
when direct system modifications are not possible.
By changing how processes are implemented
and ensuring secure practices,
you can address vulnerabilities
identified during the penetration test,
and maintain a robust security posture.