What Is Hardening?

Key takeaways

In IT, hardening helps limit the threat of attack by turning off non-essential services and patching vulnerabilities. 

• Hardening is an IT security practice that makes it harder for attackers to breach security by removing anything other than the basic configurations necessary to run.

• There are several different types of hardening, including server, software application, operating system, database, and network hardening.

• You can take the next step toward a career in cybersecurity by learning about network security, cloud computing, and Python programming.

Read on to learn more about the hardening process, including the benefits of hardening and different hardening measures. Build job-ready skills for an in-demand career by enrolling in the IBM Cybersecurity Professional Certificate.

Types of hardening

To protect against these threats and others, you can choose from a number of hardening options. Nothing can offer protection from 100 percent of cyber attacks, but you can look for various industry benchmarks. Several different types of hardening exist, including:

• Server

• Software application

• Operating system

• Database

• Network hardening

Threats to consider

When looking at the hardening process, it’s important to consider all possible security threats to know what you’re protecting against and how best to do it. Common threats include the following:

• Malware distribution

• Identity theft

• Sabotaging processes

• Manipulating applications

• Data leakage through hacking

What does hardening mean in software development?

During the software development life cycle (SDLC), hardening refers to applying security strategies while creating new software to reduce avenues for an attack. Coding languages can be susceptible to vulnerabilities, so software developers must thoroughly understand this to ensure the new application is secure. Establishing a secure software development policy can help your organization with this issue.

Hardening measures

• Automating updates: Software and hardware updates and patches are necessary. Automating them eliminates any human error resulting in a delay in updates, meaning at no time will your system or network remain unprotected. 

• Scanning regularly: Monitor and scan systems regularly for any vulnerabilities, weaknesses, or viruses. You can also automate this process.

• Training staff: Train all staff members on security threats and how to protect systems from attacks. This might include how to look out for phishing and how to transfer data safely.

• Managing passwords: A weak password can mean the infiltration of a whole system or network, so all users should reset their passwords if the company suspects a breach of security. Users should also utilize processes like password rotation.

• Documenting processes: Document threats or unusual occurrences so others know if it has happened before. This helps with troubleshooting and identifying threats.

How Hardening Measures Apply to Each Type

While the goal of hardening remains consistent, the specific measures you choose will vary depending on which "type" of system you are securing. Implementing these measures creates a multi-layered defense where each layer compensates for the others.

• For Server and OS Hardening: You primarily focus on automating updates and managing passwords to ensure the core environment remains inaccessible to unauthorized users.

• For Database and Software Hardening: The focus shifts toward scanning regularly for vulnerabilities in the code and documenting processes to ensure data integrity and compliance

• For Network Hardening: You rely heavily on training staff to recognize perimeter threats like phishing and securing the protocols that allow different clusters to communicate.

By aligning these technical measures with the specific hardware or software in your stack, you ensure that no part of your infrastructure is left as an open for attackers.

4 benefits of hardening

The primary goal of hardening is to reduce your "attack surface," but the practice offers several strategic advantages beyond just blocking hackers. By stripping away non-essential services and securing configurations, organizations gain the following:

1. Enhanced security posture: Hardening makes a system "harder" to attack by turning off non-essential services and patching known vulnerabilities. 

2. Minimized operational risks: Removing everything except the basic configurations necessary to run creates a more stable environment with a reduced risk of misconfigurations.

3. Simplified compliance: Many regulatory frameworks require systems to be configured according to industry benchmarks; by documenting your hardening processes, you create a clear audit trail that proves your systems are meeting security standards.

4. Sensitive data protection: Database hardening and role-based access control allows for better defense against identity theft and data leakage.

Keep learning with these free resources

Take the next step toward a career in cybersecurity by exploring these free resources:

• Explore our career guide: Cybersecurity Learning Roadmap: Beginner to Expert (2026)

• Study our glossary: Cybersecurity Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions

• Watch our video on YouTube: How to Become a Cybersecurity Analyst

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