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Certainly, creating a more detailed and structured guide with a visual component will make the setup process clearer and more approachable. Below is an enhanced guide that outlines a sample framework for setting up an Active Directory (AD) environment focused on cybersecurity testing. This includes both markdown documentation and a Mermaid diagram for visualization.
Active Directory Setup Framework for Cybersecurity Testing
Overview
This guide provides a detailed starting point for setting up a simulated Active Directory environment tailored for cybersecurity exploration and testing. It covers essential steps from initial planning and installation to security configurations and testing groundwork.
1. Planning and Design
Before diving into the installation, it's crucial to lay out the design and planning of your AD environment. This includes determining the domain structure, planning the network infrastructure, and deciding on security group and OU designs.
Domain Structure
- Domain Name:
cyberlab.local - Forest Design: Single forest, single domain
Network Infrastructure
- Consider a simple network layout with a primary domain controller (PDC) and additional domain controllers (ADCs) as needed.
Security Groups and OUs
- Create OUs for different departments or teams, e.g.,
IT,HR,Sales. - Plan security groups for role-based access control (RBAC), e.g.,
IT Admins,HR Managers.
2. Installation and Core Setup
Install Windows Server
- Version: Windows Server 2019 Standard
- Machine: VM or physical server for the PDC
Promote to Domain Controller
- Install the Active Directory Domain Services role.
- Run the AD DS Configuration Wizard to promote the server to a domain controller.
3. Security Configuration
Baseline Security Policies
- Implement GPOs for security policies affecting users and machines.
Test Accounts
- Populate the AD with test user accounts and groups reflecting various roles.
4. Advanced Features and Testing Preparation
Advanced AD Services
- Optionally, explore setting up ADFS, AD CS, and AD RMS for advanced testing scenarios.
5. Maintenance and Continuous Improvement
Regular Updates
- Apply updates and patches regularly to keep the environment secure.
Sample Mermaid Diagram
To visualize the setup, here's a Mermaid diagram illustrating a basic AD setup:
graph TD;
A[Windows Server 2019] -->|Installs AD DS| B(PDC: Primary Domain Controller);
B --> C{Domain: cyberlab.local};
C --> D[OU: IT];
C --> E[OU: HR];
C --> F[OU: Sales];
D --> G[Security Group: IT Admins];
E --> H[Security Group: HR Managers];
B --> I[ADCS Advanced Services];
I --> J[ADFS];
I --> K[AD CS];
I --> L[AD RMS];
This diagram illustrates the foundational elements of the AD setup, including the primary domain controller (PDC) setup with Windows Server 2019, the creation of organizational units (OUs) for IT, HR, and Sales departments, and the setup of security groups within those OUs. It also highlights the incorporation of advanced AD services like ADFS, Certificate Services, and Rights Management Services for comprehensive security testing.
This framework and visual guide offer a solid starting point for setting up an AD environment optimized for cybersecurity testing and training. It's a flexible template; you can expand or adjust it based on specific testing requirements or to explore various cybersecurity scenarios.