Several features of PowerShell are intended to increase the security of your scripting environment. Cybersecurity experts from the United States, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom have corroborated this. In contrast to deleting or entirely deactivating the program, the agencies advise adequate configuration and monitoring of PowerShell.
PowerShell is crucial for maintaining the security of Windows systems
The authorities from several nations explain the significance of using PowerShell to thwart fraudsters’ abuses in a Cybersecurity Information Sheet. These organizations also advise users to utilize the most recent versions of PowerShell because they come with enhanced features and settings that can help defenders stop PowerShell abuse.
The Microsoft utility relies on the Kerberos or New Technology LAN Manager (NTLM) authentication protocols and uses Windows Remote Management (WinRM) as the underlying protocol. The real credentials are not sent to remote hosts by these authentication techniques. They do not risk having their credentials stolen by exposing them directly to the public.
Second, in addition to enabling WinRM connections, PowerShell allows remote access using Secure Shell (SSH). This enables public key authentication and makes remote management of machines using PowerShell easy and secure.
Similar to this, ongoing PowerShell log monitoring can spot and warn against any misuse. Deep Script Block Logging, among other features provided by the tool, are by default deactivated. It must be made able to capture and extensively examine each PowerShell command in the Windows Event Log.
All things considered, PowerShell is a crucial tool for protecting the Windows operating system. Administrators and defenders won’t be able to use its features to help with system maintenance, automation, and security operations if it is removed or restricted. In order to control administrative rights and enable appropriate security measures, it is therefore advised to adopt and set it effectively.
Download the PDF guide by visiting defense.gov.
