Security Guides for Windows Server 2003

To assist administrators in configuring the security settings for their Windows systems, Microsoft has produced three security guides that document all Windows security settings for current and legacy clients, and for Windows Server 2003. The guides also provide tools, including spreadsheets, templates, and scripts, to help administrators set and document the appropriate level of security for the servers they deploy.

Windows Server 2003, the first Windows product to ship since Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing initiative began, has many features and services either turned off or locked down, so that the server is “secure by default.” Administrators must then determine the optimal level of security for their circumstances and configure the server accordingly, a task that involves determining the correct balance between securing the server and ensuring that applications still run and users can perform their jobs. The three guides will help administrators configure servers for a variety of roles, understand the settings that affect security, and understand common security terminology.