Storage administrators must change default passwords on their NAS devices. Default login credentials are some of the easiest for attackers to guess, so changing and securely storing them immediately is one of the most critical steps.
Keeping firmware updated also helps to secure NAS systems. Attackers constantly seek ways to crack NAS firmware, so patching known vulnerabilities helps close easy attack points.
Encryption
Encryption is one of the most powerful tools on how to secure NAS security. It renders the data unreadable to anyone without access to the cryptographic key. This can assist in complying with legal standards like GDPR and HIPAA and prevent unwanted access to sensitive data in transit or at rest, such as credit card numbers, medical records, intellectual property, and personally identifiable information (PII).
Change passwords: All users should have solid and unique credentials to access a NAS device. Default admin accounts, in particular, should be disabled and the passwords changed to something more robust, such as three random unrelated words joined by punctuation symbols or numbers. This can mitigate attacks like brute force, which uses trial-and-error methods to break passwords.
Update firmware: To fix any potential vulnerabilities, NAS equipment should be updated often with the newest security patches and improvements. Many cyber attacks are designed to take advantage of out-of-date software, and keeping the NAS system up to date will significantly reduce the attack risk.
Backups: Despite their numerous data safety features, NAS devices are still vulnerable to attack by hackers who aim to encrypt or otherwise compromise the stored data. Having backups in place helps protect against hardware failures, natural disasters, and ransomware attacks, and it is recommended to test restore processes regularly to identify any gaps in the backup strategy.
Firewall
Most NAS devices will have a firewall built in, and it is a great first line of defense against hackers. Registering legitimate users and blocking access to everyone else can reduce the attack surface. If the device is exposed to the Internet, enabling SSL encryption and closing unused ports (like port 22 for SSH connections) will also help.
If your NAS is connected to other systems, ensure all passwords are strong and unique. Remember to activate two-factor authentication. This will increase security even further and make it necessary to enter a PIN to access the system.
Another common technique attackers use is brute force attacks, which involve attempting to break into the NAS using an endless string of login combinations. An excellent way to prevent this is by ensuring that the default admin account doesn’t have administrator rights and enabling QNAP’s IP Access Protection feature (which allows you to set up accounts to lock automatically after a specific number of failed attempts).
Keeping your NAS and bundled software patched up with the latest security and bug-fix releases will eliminate vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Similarly, turning off unused services, like telnet and FTP, or encrypting all communications with other NAS devices can significantly reduce the number of vulnerable points that hackers can target.
Multi-factor authentication
Cybercriminals are targeting digital credentials to breach security systems and access sensitive data. This has made credential theft the most common reason for large-scale data breaches worldwide. MFA limits the usefulness of stolen digital credentials and strengthens other cybersecurity systems like firewalls and anti-virus protection by requiring more than just a username or password to log in.
To set up 2FA on your NAS, look into the NAS settings for a security option like “2-step verification.” This will enable an extra step before you can access your device. This is usually a code given to your phone with a time limit. To gain access to your NAS, you must enter this code.
If you can’t use 2-step verification, another great way to secure your NAS is by implementing biometric verification. Biometric verification is a more advanced form of Multi-factor authentication (MFA) that can confirm your identity by using information about your physical traits, such as fingerprints, facial characteristics, iris structure, hand shape, or even how hard you depress the keys on a keyboard. While this may seem invasive, it is a great way to ensure that only you can access your NAS and limit the risk of data loss or corruption. MFA is a standard part of good cybersecurity hygiene that protects all accounts and devices, including your network-attached storage.
Backups
If you follow the 3-2-1 rule for backups, you have a good chance of being able to withstand most hardware failures, theft, natural disasters, and ransomware attacks. However, NAS devices are not the only source of data in an organization, and backups must be located off-site to protect against many threats that can compromise your NAS system, including cyberattacks.
Because NAS systems are network-connected and vulnerable to password intrusions, any passwords must be strong, one-of-a-kind, and difficult for attackers to figure out or brute-force. Also, users should ensure that default admin accounts are disabled or renamed to prevent attacks.
Close unused ports on your firewall to avoid letting attackers into your NAS system through those channels. This will help mitigate many attacks, such as brute-force or dictionary attacks, which use trial and error to crack passwords.
Keep in mind that, as with most network devices, cyber attackers always find a way to get into NAS firmware, even though they usually fail initially, so it is essential for all users to implement patches and updates as soon as they become available. Make sure that a plan and procedure exists for checking for available updates regularly, and make it a point to update your NAS system as soon as possible after patches are released.