Which cybersecurity measure helps to reduce the attack surface of systems?

Hardening is a crucial cybersecurity measure aimed at reducing the attack surface of systems. The attack surface refers to all the points where an unauthorized user can attempt to enter data into or extract data from an environment. By hardening systems, you enhance their security posture by eliminating unnecessary services, closing unused ports, applying patches, and configuring security settings to minimize vulnerabilities.

The process of hardening ensures that only essential services are running, reducing opportunities for attackers to exploit weaknesses. It may involve implementing security configurations, such as disabling default accounts and services, enforcing strong password policies, and applying security updates regularly. Each of these measures directly contributes to a smaller attack surface by limiting potential entry points that could be targeted by cyber threats.

Monitoring, while vital for detecting and responding to incidents, does not inherently reduce the attack surface, as it is more about oversight after any security measures have been implemented. Encryption primarily protects data in transit or at rest but does not reduce the surfaces that attackers can exploit. Network segmentation can aid in containing potential breaches and managing risks but does not directly address the inherent vulnerabilities within individual systems. Thus, hardening stands out as the most effective measure in this context for reducing the attack surface.