Description: A hardened operating system is one that has been configured and optimized to reduce its attack surface, meaning various security measures have been implemented to protect it against attacks and threats. These measures may include disabling unnecessary services, applying security patches, restricting user permissions, and implementing stricter access controls. The primary goal of a hardened operating system is to minimize the opportunities attackers have to exploit vulnerabilities, which is especially critical in environments where resources are shared and exposure to external threats is greater. Additionally, these systems tend to be more resilient to malware and zero-day attacks, as their configuration is designed to anticipate and mitigate risks. Security posture management greatly benefits from the implementation of hardened operating systems, as they help create a more secure and reliable environment for applications and data hosted in various settings, including on-premises and cloud environments.
