enterprise-windows-infrastructure-security

name	enterprise-windows-infrastructure-security
description	Obsidian-based knowledge base for Windows Server administration, Active Directory, Group Policy, and defensive hardening with hands-on labs.
triggers	["how do I harden Active Directory","show me Windows Server security best practices","help me set up a Windows enterprise lab","how do I configure Group Policy for security","what are the steps to secure DNS and DHCP","guide me through Windows Server defensive hardening","how do I build a purple team Windows lab","show me enterprise Windows security configurations"]

Enterprise Windows Infrastructure Security Skill

Skill by ara.so — Security Skills collection.

Overview

Enterprise Windows Infrastructure & Security is a comprehensive, lab-driven curriculum delivered as an Obsidian knowledge base for Windows Server administration and defensive hardening. It covers the full enterprise stack: Windows Server OS, PowerShell, Active Directory Domain Services, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, file services, IIS, remote access, and purple-team security validation.

Key Features:

• 20 modules progressing from fundamentals to advanced hardening
• Hands-on labs using a corp.local domain topology
• Security-first approach with hardening integrated into every service
• PowerShell automation and command-line administration
• Purple-team practice with attack/defense scenarios
• Multi-VM lab environment (DC, member server, client, attacker)

Installation & Setup

Clone the Repository

# Clone the knowledge base
git clone https://github.com/armourinfosec/Enterprise-Windows-Infrastructure-Security.git
cd Enterprise-Windows-Infrastructure-Security

Open in Obsidian

1. Download and install Obsidian
2. Open Obsidian and select "Open folder as vault"
3. Navigate to the cloned repository directory
4. Start with the main README and follow the learning path sequentially

Lab Environment Setup

The curriculum requires a virtualization environment. Minimum setup:

Hardware Requirements:
- CPU: 4+ cores with VT-x/AMD-V enabled
- RAM: 16 GB recommended
- Disk: 250 GB+ SSD
- Hypervisor: VirtualBox 7.x, Hyper-V, or VMware Workstation

VM Topology (corp.local domain):
- DC01: Windows Server 2022 (AD DS, DNS, DHCP, GPO)
- SRV01: Windows Server 2022 (IIS, File Services, DFS, FTP)
- WKS01: Windows 10/11 (domain-joined client)
- Kali: Linux (attack/defense validation)

Network: 10.10.10.0/24 isolated internal network

Learning Path Structure

The knowledge base is organized into 6 stages with 20 modules:

Stage 1: Foundations

• Module 1: Fundamentals of the Operating System
• Module 2: Windows OS Administration
• Module 3: Windows Commands
• Module 4: Windows PowerShell

Stage 2: Lab & Networking

• Module 5: Lab Setup & Virtualization
• Module 6: Networking Fundamentals

Stage 3: Directory & Core Services

• Module 7: Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)
• Module 8: Group Policy Objects (GPO)
• Module 9: Domain Name System (DNS)
• Module 10: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

Stage 4: Infrastructure Services

• Module 11: File Services & DFS
• Module 12: Web Server (IIS)
• Module 13: FTP Server Administration
• Module 14: Proxy Server Administration
• Module 15: Remote Access & VPN

Stage 5: Operate & Resilience

• Module 16: Server Management
• Module 17: Backup/Restore/Recovery
• Module 18: Monitoring & Logging

Stage 6: Security & Practice

• Module 19: Enterprise Security (purple team)
• Module 20: Software Development Life Cycle

Key Commands & PowerShell Patterns

Active Directory Administration

# Import Active Directory module
Import-Module ActiveDirectory

# Create organizational unit
New-ADOrganizationalUnit -Name "IT" -Path "DC=corp,DC=local" `
    -ProtectedFromAccidentalDeletion $true

# Create user with secure password
$Password = Read-Host -AsSecureString "Enter password"
New-ADUser -Name "John Smith" -GivenName "John" -Surname "Smith" `
    -SamAccountName "jsmith" -UserPrincipalName "[e-mail]" `
    -Path "OU=IT,DC=corp,DC=local" -AccountPassword $Password `
    -Enabled $true -ChangePasswordAtLogon $true

# Create security group
New-ADGroup -Name "IT-Admins" -GroupScope Global `
    -GroupCategory Security -Path "OU=IT,DC=corp,DC=local"

# Add user to group
Add-ADGroupMember -Identity "IT-Admins" -Members "jsmith"

# Query domain controllers
Get-ADDomainController -Filter * | Select-Object Name, IPv4Address, Site

# Check replication status
Get-ADReplicationPartnerMetadata -Target "DC01.corp.local" `
    | Select-Object Partner, LastReplicationSuccess

Group Policy Management

# Import Group Policy module
Import-Module GroupPolicy

# Create new GPO
New-GPO -Name "Workstation-Hardening" -Comment "Security baseline for workstations"

# Link GPO to OU
New-GPLink -Name "Workstation-Hardening" `
    -Target "OU=Workstations,DC=corp,DC=local" -LinkEnabled Yes

# Set registry-based policy
Set-GPRegistryValue -Name "Workstation-Hardening" `
    -Key "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" `
    -ValueName "EnableLUA" -Type DWord -Value 1

# Configure password policy
Set-ADDefaultDomainPasswordPolicy -Identity corp.local `
    -MinPasswordLength 14 -PasswordHistoryCount 24 `
    -MaxPasswordAge (New-TimeSpan -Days 90) `
    -MinPasswordAge (New-TimeSpan -Days 1) `
    -ComplexityEnabled $true

# Generate GPO report
Get-GPOReport -Name "Workstation-Hardening" -ReportType Html `
    -Path "C:\Reports\Workstation-Hardening.html"

# Force Group Policy update on remote computer
Invoke-GPUpdate -Computer "WKS01" -Force -RandomDelayInMinutes 0

DNS Configuration

# Create forward lookup zone
Add-DnsServerPrimaryZone -Name "corp.local" -ReplicationScope Domain

# Create reverse lookup zone
Add-DnsServerPrimaryZone -NetworkId "10.10.10.0/24" -ReplicationScope Domain

# Add DNS A record
Add-DnsServerResourceRecordA -Name "srv01" -ZoneName "corp.local" `
    -IPv4Address "10.10.10.11" -CreatePtr

# Add DNS CNAME record
Add-DnsServerResourceRecordCName -Name "intranet" -ZoneName "corp.local" `
    -HostNameAlias "srv01.corp.local"

# Configure conditional forwarder
Add-DnsServerConditionalForwarderZone -Name "partner.com" `
    -MasterServers "192.168.1.10" -ReplicationScope Forest

# Enable DNS query logging
Set-DnsServerDiagnostics -Queries $true -QueryErrors $true `
    -LogFilePath "C:\Windows\System32\dns\dns.log"

# Clear DNS cache
Clear-DnsServerCache -Force

DHCP Server Management

# Install DHCP role
Install-WindowsFeature DHCP -IncludeManagementTools

# Authorize DHCP server in AD
Add-DhcpServerInDC -DnsName "DC01.corp.local" -IPAddress "10.10.10.10"

# Create DHCP scope
Add-DhcpServerv4Scope -Name "Corporate-LAN" `
    -StartRange "10.10.10.100" -EndRange "10.10.10.200" `
    -SubnetMask "255.255.255.0" -State Active

# Set scope options
Set-DhcpServerv4OptionValue -ScopeId "10.10.10.0" `
    -Router "10.10.10.1" -DnsServer "10.10.10.10" `
    -DnsDomain "corp.local"

# Create DHCP reservation
Add-DhcpServerv4Reservation -ScopeId "10.10.10.0" `
    -IPAddress "10.10.10.50" -ClientId "00-15-5D-01-02-03" `
    -Description "Print-Server"

# Configure DHCP failover
Add-DhcpServerv4Failover -Name "DC01-DC02-Failover" `
    -PartnerServer "DC02.corp.local" -ScopeId "10.10.10.0" `
    -LoadBalancePercent 50 -MaxClientLeadTime 1:00:00

File Services & Share Management

# Create shared folder
New-Item -Path "C:\Shares\IT-Data" -ItemType Directory
New-SmbShare -Name "IT-Data" -Path "C:\Shares\IT-Data" `
    -FullAccess "CORP\IT-Admins" -ReadAccess "CORP\Domain Users"

# Set NTFS permissions
$Acl = Get-Acl "C:\Shares\IT-Data"
$AccessRule = New-Object System.Security.AccessControl.FileSystemAccessRule(
    "CORP\IT-Admins", "FullControl", "ContainerInherit,ObjectInherit", "None", "Allow"
)
$Acl.SetAccessRule($AccessRule)
Set-Acl "C:\Shares\IT-Data" $Acl

# Install DFS Namespace role
Install-WindowsFeature FS-DFS-Namespace, FS-DFS-Replication `
    -IncludeManagementTools

# Create DFS namespace
New-DfsnRoot -Path "\\corp.local\Files" -TargetPath "\\SRV01\DFSRoot" `
    -Type DomainV2

# Add DFS folder target
New-DfsnFolder -Path "\\corp.local\Files\IT-Data" `
    -TargetPath "\\SRV01\IT-Data"

# Configure DFS replication
New-DfsReplicationGroup -GroupName "IT-Data-Replication"
Add-DfsrMember -GroupName "IT-Data-Replication" `
    -ComputerName "SRV01", "SRV02"

IIS Web Server Configuration

# Install IIS with common features
Install-WindowsFeature Web-Server, Web-Mgmt-Tools, Web-Scripting-Tools `
    -IncludeManagementTools

# Import WebAdministration module
Import-Module WebAdministration

# Create new website
New-Website -Name "IntranetSite" -Port 443 -Protocol https `
    -PhysicalPath "C:\inetpub\intranet" `
    -ApplicationPool "IntranetAppPool" -Force

# Create application pool with specific identity
New-WebAppPool -Name "IntranetAppPool"
Set-ItemProperty "IIS:\AppPools\IntranetAppPool" -Name "processModel.identityType" `
    -Value "SpecificUser"
Set-ItemProperty "IIS:\AppPools\IntranetAppPool" -Name "processModel.userName" `
    -Value "CORP\IIS-AppPool"

# Bind SSL certificate
$Cert = Get-ChildItem Cert:\LocalMachine\My | Where-Object {
    $_.Subject -like "*intranet.corp.local*"
}
New-WebBinding -Name "IntranetSite" -Protocol https -Port 443 -SslFlags 0
$Binding = Get-WebBinding -Name "IntranetSite" -Protocol https
$Binding.AddSslCertificate($Cert.Thumbprint, "my")

# Configure security headers
Set-WebConfigurationProperty -Filter "system.webServer/httpProtocol/customHeaders" `
    -PSPath "IIS:\Sites\IntranetSite" -Name "." -Value @{
        name='X-Content-Type-Options'; value='nosniff'
    }

Security Hardening Patterns

# Enable Windows Firewall on all profiles
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain,Public,Private -Enabled True

# Configure firewall rule for RDP with source restriction
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "RDP-AdminSubnet" -Direction Inbound `
    -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 3389 -Action Allow `
    -RemoteAddress "10.10.10.0/24" -Profile Domain

# Disable SMBv1 protocol
Set-SmbServerConfiguration -EnableSMB1Protocol $false -Force
Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol -NoRestart

# Enable PowerShell script block logging
$RegPath = "HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\PowerShell\ScriptBlockLogging"
New-Item -Path $RegPath -Force
Set-ItemProperty -Path $RegPath -Name "EnableScriptBlockLogging" -Value 1

# Configure audit policy for account logon
auditpol /set /subcategory:"Credential Validation" /success:enable /failure:enable
auditpol /set /subcategory:"Kerberos Authentication Service" /success:enable /failure:enable

# Enable LSA Protection (RunAsPPL)
New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa" `
    -Name "RunAsPPL" -Value 1 -PropertyType DWORD -Force

# Disable LLMNR and NetBIOS
New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\DNSClient" `
    -Name "EnableMulticast" -Value 0 -PropertyType DWORD -Force
Get-NetAdapter | ForEach-Object {
    Set-NetAdapterBinding -Name $_.Name -ComponentID ms_tcpip -Enabled $false
}

# Configure LAPS (Local Administrator Password Solution)
Import-Module AdmPwd.PS
Update-AdmPwdADSchema
Set-AdmPwdComputerSelfPermission -Identity "Workstations"

Security Monitoring & Logging

# Configure advanced audit policy
auditpol /set /category:"Account Logon" /success:enable /failure:enable
auditpol /set /category:"Account Management" /success:enable /failure:enable
auditpol /set /category:"Logon/Logoff" /success:enable /failure:enable
auditpol /set /category:"Object Access" /success:enable /failure:enable
auditpol /set /category:"Policy Change" /success:enable /failure:enable
auditpol /set /category:"Privilege Use" /success:enable /failure:enable
auditpol /set /category:"System" /success:enable /failure:enable

# Increase Security event log size
wevtutil sl Security /ms:1073741824  # 1 GB

# Query security events for failed logons
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{
    LogName='Security'
    Id=4625  # Failed logon
    StartTime=(Get-Date).AddHours(-24)
} | Select-Object TimeCreated, Message | Format-Table -AutoSize

# Export security logs
wevtutil epl Security "C:\Logs\Security-$(Get-Date -Format 'yyyyMMdd').evtx"

# Configure Sysmon for enhanced logging
# Download Sysmon from Sysinternals and use SwiftOnSecurity config
sysmon64.exe -accepteula -i sysmonconfig-export.xml

# Query Sysmon events
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{
    LogName='Microsoft-Windows-Sysmon/Operational'
    Id=1  # Process creation
    StartTime=(Get-Date).AddHours(-1)
} | Select-Object TimeCreated, Message

Purple Team Attack & Defense Scenarios

Reconnaissance Detection

# Monitor for AD enumeration attempts
# Check for unusual LDAP queries from non-admin accounts
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{
    LogName='Security'
    Id=1644  # LDAP query
    StartTime=(Get-Date).AddHours(-24)
} | Where-Object {
    $_.Message -notmatch "Domain Admins|Enterprise Admins"
} | Format-Table TimeCreated, Message

# Detect BloodHound/SharpHound activity
# Look for rapid LDAP queries from a single source
$Events = Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{
    LogName='Security'
    Id=4662  # Directory Service Access
    StartTime=(Get-Date).AddMinutes(-10)
}
$Events | Group-Object {$_.Properties[1].Value} | 
    Where-Object {$_.Count -gt 100} | 
    Select-Object Name, Count

Credential Theft Defense

# Enable Credential Guard
# Requires UEFI, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0
New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard" `
    -Name "EnableVirtualizationBasedSecurity" -Value 1 -PropertyType DWORD -Force
New-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa" `
    -Name "LsaCfgFlags" -Value 1 -PropertyType DWORD -Force

# Restrict NTLM authentication
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa" `
    -Name "RestrictSendingNTLMTraffic" -Value 2  # Deny all

# Detect Mimikatz execution
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{
    LogName='Microsoft-Windows-Sysmon/Operational'
    Id=1
    StartTime=(Get-Date).AddHours(-1)
} | Where-Object {
    $_.Message -match "mimikatz|sekurlsa|lsadump"
}

Lateral Movement Detection

# Monitor for PsExec usage
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{
    LogName='System'
    ProviderName='Service Control Manager'
    Id=7045  # Service installed
    StartTime=(Get-Date).AddHours(-24)
} | Where-Object {
    $_.Message -match "PSEXESVC"
}

# Detect WMI lateral movement
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{
    LogName='Microsoft-Windows-WMI-Activity/Operational'
    Id=5857,5858,5859,5860,5861
    StartTime=(Get-Date).AddHours(-24)
} | Format-Table TimeCreated, Id, Message

# Monitor for remote PowerShell sessions
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{
    LogName='Microsoft-Windows-PowerShell/Operational'
    Id=4103,4104  # Script block logging
    StartTime=(Get-Date).AddHours(-1)
} | Where-Object {
    $_.Message -match "Enter-PSSession|Invoke-Command"
}

Common Workflows

Deploy a Secure AD Domain

# 1. Install AD DS role on DC01
Install-WindowsFeature AD-Domain-Services -IncludeManagementTools

# 2. Promote to domain controller
Import-Module ADDSDeployment
Install-ADDSForest -DomainName "corp.local" `
    -DomainNetbiosName "CORP" `
    -ForestMode "WinThreshold" `
    -DomainMode "WinThreshold" `
    -InstallDns:$true `
    -SafeModeAdministratorPassword (Read-Host -AsSecureString "Enter DSRM password") `
    -Force:$true

# 3. Configure DNS forwarders
Add-DnsServerForwarder -IPAddress "8.8.8.8", "8.8.4.4"

# 4. Create OU structure
New-ADOrganizationalUnit -Name "Corp" -Path "DC=corp,DC=local"
New-ADOrganizationalUnit -Name "Users" -Path "OU=Corp,DC=corp,DC=local"
New-ADOrganizationalUnit -Name "Computers" -Path "OU=Corp,DC=corp,DC=local"
New-ADOrganizationalUnit -Name "Servers" -Path "OU=Corp,DC=corp,DC=local"
New-ADOrganizationalUnit -Name "Groups" -Path "OU=Corp,DC=corp,DC=local"

# 5. Apply security baseline GPO
New-GPO -Name "Domain-Security-Baseline"
New-GPLink -Name "Domain-Security-Baseline" -Target "DC=corp,DC=local"

# 6. Configure default domain password policy
Set-ADDefaultDomainPasswordPolicy -Identity corp.local `
    -MinPasswordLength 14 `
    -ComplexityEnabled $true `
    -PasswordHistoryCount 24 `
    -LockoutThreshold 5 `
    -LockoutDuration (New-TimeSpan -Minutes 30) `
    -MaxPasswordAge (New-TimeSpan -Days 90)

Join a Member Server to Domain

# On SRV01 - Configure network settings
New-NetIPAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" -IPAddress "10.10.10.11" `
    -PrefixLength 24 -DefaultGateway "10.10.10.1"
Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias "Ethernet" `
    -ServerAddresses "10.10.10.10"

# Join domain
Add-Computer -DomainName "corp.local" `
    -Credential (Get-Credential CORP\Administrator) `
    -Restart -Force

Backup and Restore Active Directory

# Install Windows Server Backup
Install-WindowsFeature Windows-Server-Backup

# Perform system state backup (includes AD)
wbadmin start systemstatebackup -backupTarget:E: -quiet

# Schedule daily AD backup
$Action = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute "wbadmin.exe" `
    -Argument "start systemstatebackup -backupTarget:E: -quiet"
$Trigger = New-ScheduledTaskTrigger -Daily -At 2am
Register-ScheduledTask -TaskName "AD-Daily-Backup" `
    -Action $Action -Trigger $Trigger `
    -User "SYSTEM" -RunLevel Highest

# Restore from system state backup
wbadmin start systemstaterecovery -version:01/15/2024-02:00 -backupTarget:E: -quiet

# Perform authoritative restore of deleted OU
Restart-Computer -Force  # Boot into Directory Services Restore Mode
ntdsutil "activate instance ntds" "authoritative restore" `
    "restore subtree OU=IT,DC=corp,DC=local" quit quit

Troubleshooting

Active Directory Replication Issues

# Check replication status
repadmin /replsummary
repadmin /showrepl

# Force replication between DCs
repadmin /syncall /AdeP

# Test replication health
dcdiag /test:replications /v

# Check DNS configuration
dcdiag /test:dns /v

Group Policy Not Applying

# Check GPO links and inheritance
Get-GPInheritance -Target "OU=Workstations,DC=corp,DC=local"

# View resultant set of policy on remote computer
gpresult /S WKS01 /H C:\Reports\gpresult-WKS01.html /F

# Force immediate policy refresh
Invoke-GPUpdate -Computer "WKS01" -Force -RandomDelayInMinutes 0

# Check for GPO processing errors in event log
Get-WinEvent -ComputerName WKS01 -FilterHashtable @{
    LogName='System'
    ProviderName='Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy'
    Level=2  # Error
} | Select-Object TimeCreated, Message

DNS Resolution Problems

# Test DNS resolution
Resolve-DnsName -Name "srv01.corp.local" -Server "10.10.10.10"

# Check DNS server event log
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{
    LogName='DNS Server'
    Level=2,3  # Error and Warning
    StartTime=(Get-Date).AddHours(-24)
}

# Verify zone replication
Get-DnsServerZone -Name "corp.local" | Select-Object ZoneName, ReplicationScope, IsDsIntegrated

# Clear and refresh DNS cache
Clear-DnsServerCache -Force
ipconfig /flushdns

Authentication Failures

# Check Kerberos tickets on client
klist

# Purge and refresh Kerberos tickets
klist purge
gpupdate /force

# Verify time synchronization (critical for Kerberos)
w32tm /query /status
w32tm /resync /force

# Check for account lockouts
Search-ADAccount -LockedOut | Select-Object Name, SamAccountName, LockedOut

# View failed logon attempts for specific user
Get-WinEvent -FilterHashtable @{
    LogName='Security'
    Id=4625
} | Where-Object {
    $_.Properties[5].Value -eq "jsmith"
} | Select-Object TimeCreated, @{N='SourceIP';E={$_.Properties[19].Value}}

Knowledge Base Navigation

Each module folder contains:

• Readme.md - Module hub with learning objectives and lab overview
• Concept notes - Deep-dive explanations with tagged commands
• Lab guides - Step-by-step reproducible configurations
• Security sections - Hardening steps and attack/defense scenarios

Best practices for using this knowledge base:

1. Follow the sequential learning path - Later modules assume knowledge from earlier stages
2. Build the lab progressively - Take snapshots before major configuration changes
3. Practice both administration and hardening - Don't skip the security sections
4. Document your lab - Keep notes on IP addresses, credentials, and custom configurations
5. Validate with attacks - Use the purple-team modules to test your hardening
6. Cross-reference modules - Use Obsidian's graph view to explore related concepts

Reference Configuration

Standard corp.local lab topology:

Host	IP	Roles	OS
DC01	10.10.10.10	AD DS, DNS, DHCP, GPO	Windows Server 2022
SRV01	10.10.10.11	File, DFS, IIS, FTP	Windows Server 2022
WKS01	DHCP	Domain client	Windows 11 Pro
Kali	10.10.10.50	Attack/validation	Kali Linux

Network: 10.10.10.0/24 isolated internal network
Domain: corp.local (forest functional level Windows Server 2016+)

Additional Resources

• Practical Labs - Collection of scenario-based exercises (see Practical-Labs/ folder)
• Enterprise Projects - Multi-service capstone projects (see Enterprise-Projects/ folder)
• Module-specific labs - Each module folder contains hands-on guides
• PowerShell scripts - Automation examples throughout the knowledge base
• Attack scenarios - Purple-team validation in Module 19

For questions and updates, visit armourinfosec.com or the GitHub repository.