Secure Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012

Applies To: Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012

To help you locate resources to secure your servers running Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012, the following links have been compiled for essential assessment tools, reference documentation, and product offerings. Get started with the Security and Protection.

Assessment tools

Use these tools to help assess security risks, identify missing security updates, and manage the security and compliance process for the most widely used Microsoft technologies.

• Microsoft Security Assessment Tool 4.0 The Microsoft Security Assessment Tool is a risk-assessment application designed to provide information and recommendations about best practices for security within an IT infrastructure.

• Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 2.2 (for IT pros) The Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer provides a streamlined method to identify missing security updates and common security misconfigurations.

• Microsoft Security Compliance Manager This Solution Accelerator provides centralized security baseline management features, a baseline portfolio, customization capabilities, and security baseline export flexibility to accelerate your organization’s ability to efficiently manage the security and compliance process for the most widely used Microsoft technologies.

Security technologies

This information is for IT pros to learn about security technologies and features, including important changes, for Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.

• Security and Protection

• Secure Windows [Win8]

Administration tools

Use these tools to administer security technologies and address ongoing threats.

• Security Tools to Administer Windows Server 2012 For the IT pro, this is a list of Microsoft tools that are available for Windows Server 2012 to administer security technologies and address ongoing threats to your computers and network. To help you find the right tool for the job, the security tools are grouped by category and task.

Support and enhance critical security needs

Many technologies, features, and configuration options can be used to enhance the security of computers and networks. Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012 support and enhance critical security needs, including:

• Authentication and identity.

• Authorization and isolation.

• Data protection.

• Secure networking.

The following resources highlight key technologies and features that can be used as building blocks to address these needs (some may be standalone solutions, and others are version interdependent).

Additional resources

• Malware Protection Center The Microsoft Malware Protection Center provides world class antimalware research and response capabilities that support the Microsoft range of security products and services.

• Wiki: Troubleshooting Portal This page is a community-driven list of troubleshooting portals and articles covered on the TechNet Wiki and the top associated articles for each technology.