RE: Re: Microsoft Security, baby steps ?[Scanned] [Scanned] [Scanned]

["James P. Saveker" <james () wetgoat net>]

Valdis.Kletnieks () vt edu said....

<snip>
All very good "best practices" concepts - too bad so few sites manage to
actually deploy them correctly....

That's the *real* challenge of trying to secure a network - the vast gap
between what could be done given the proper mandate and financing, and what
you can usually actually deploy with the mandate and financing you actually
got. :)

> In fact all tasks for smaller companys can be done by people with 
> little up top using SBS 2003 and enjoying the wizards.

Which is fine, until something goes Terribly Wrong and there's no sign of
the Terribly Wrong-Fixing Wizard to be found. ;)

(Guess who's come across waaay too many boxes that the owner didn't know
were compromised because the box knows how to say "You've got Mail!" but
doesn't know how to say "You've got Malware!" ;)
</snip>

Yes indeed.  I agree with you entirely.  Seems I am struggling to make my
point.  You mention best practises, in my opinion being only a poor old wet
goat I think that if people valued "standards" as well as experience in IT&T
then perhaps regardless of budget; solutions could be tailored for
individual business needs, even if a company has to resort to outsourcing.
Too many people bash MCSE/MCSA but jeez, if someone has got that piece of
paper they can do it period.

I have seen companies running SBS and using ISP mail accounts when exchange
is part of SBS, madness!  Also they have not got ISA configured correctly,
assuming correctly does not involve a rules allowing all traffic from all
sources to flow bi-directionally.  People that set up servers like that
should be shot, or at least not allowed to practise as consultants.

But then that's the small business side of the pie.

James Saveker
www.wetgoat.net 

"The only thing which helps me maintain my slender grip on reality is the
friendship I share with my collection of singing potatoes..."

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