the_information_nexus/tech_docs/linux/ssh_best_practices.md

SSH Key Management Best Practices

1. Key Storage and Permissions

• Private Keys: Store in a secure directory, typically ~/.ssh, with directory permissions set to 700. Private key files should have read-only permissions for the owner, set via chmod 400 /path/to/private/key.
• Public Keys: Deploy to ~/.ssh/authorized_keys on target systems with restrictive access settings.

2. Key Security Enhancements

• Passphrases: Encrypt private keys using strong, complex passphrases to protect against unauthorized use.
• Key Rotation: Regularly update and rotate SSH keys to mitigate risks associated with key exposure.

3. Configuration and Usage Restrictions

• Protocol Usage: Ensure SSH configurations are set to use SSH Protocol 2 exclusively by setting Protocol 2 in SSH config files.
• Authorized Keys Options: Limit key usage by configuring options in authorized_keys for specific IP addresses, permissible commands, and other restrictions.

4. Advanced Security Practices

• SSH Agents: Utilize SSH agents for secure, in-memory storage of decrypted keys, facilitating easier and safer key usage across sessions.
• Audit and Monitoring: Conduct frequent audits of authorized_keys and review server logs to detect and respond to unauthorized access attempts or anomalous activities.

5. Implementation and Compliance

• Compliance: Adhere to organizational security policies and compliance requirements regarding SSH key management to ensure uniform security postures across all systems.
• Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation of key generation, deployment, and revocation procedures to support security audits and troubleshooting.

Conclusion

Adopting these SSH key management best practices will enhance security and operational efficiency. Regular reviews and updates of SSH key management strategies are recommended to address emerging threats and technological advancements.