Systematic Configuration Management

Preventing security misconfiguration requires treating configuration as code. Store all configurations in version control, enabling review, rollback, and auditing. Use configuration management tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Terraform to ensure consistent settings across environments. Implement the principle of least functionality—disable or remove unused features, ports, services, and pages. If you don't need it, it shouldn't be running.

Automate security configuration checks using tools like CIS benchmarks, which provide detailed security configurations for common platforms. Implement configuration scanning in your CI/CD pipeline to catch misconfigurations before deployment. Use secrets management tools rather than hardcoding credentials in configurations. Regularly review and update configurations as security best practices evolve. Create hardening guides specific to your technology stack and enforce them through automation. Remember, security misconfiguration is often the easiest vulnerability to exploit—but also one of the easiest to prevent with proper processes.