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Windows File Server Access & Sensitive Data Auditing Configuration

Permissions required for Access Analyzer to execute Access Auditing (FSAA) and/or Sensitive Data Discovery Auditing (SEEK) scans on a Windows file server are dependent upon the Scan Mode Option selected. See the File System Supported Platforms topic for additional information.

However, additional considerations are needed when targeting a Windows File System Clusters or DFS Namespaces.

Windows File System (Standard)​

Configure the credentials with the following rights on the Windows hosts:

  • Granted the "Network access: Restrict clients allowed to make remote calls to SAM" Local Policies > Security Options privilege
  • Granted the “Backup files and directories” local policy privilege
  • For Local or Proxy as a Service Mode Scans:
    • Group membership in both of the following local groups:
      • Power Users
      • Backup Operators
  • For Applet or Proxy with Applet Mode Scans:
    • Group membership in the following group:
      • Local Administrators
    • Granted the “Log on as a batch” privilege
    • Remote Registry service must be enabled on the host where the applet is deployed (Applet or Proxy w/ Applet scans) to determine the system platform and where to deploy the applet.
    • The local policy, “Network access: Don't allow storage of passwords and credentials for network authentication” must be disabled for the applet to start.
    • Sensitive Data Discovery Auditing scans require .NET Framework 4.7.2 or later on the server where the applet is deployed, for Sensitive Data Discovery collections to succeed.
note

to collect data on administrative shares and local policies (logon policies) for a Windows target, the credential must have group membership in the local Administrators group.

Windows File System Clusters​

The permissions necessary to collect file system data from a Windows File System Cluster must be set for all nodes that comprise the cluster.

note

Target the Windows Cluster File Server Role Server (name clients connect to) of interest when running a File System scan against a Windows File System Cluster.

Configure credentials on all cluster nodes according to the Windows File System (Standard) permissions, with the following additional requirements:

  • Remote Registry Service must be enabled on all nodes that comprise the cluster
  • Group membership in the local Administrators group
  • Granted the “Log on as a batch” privilege

Host List Considerations​

Target the Windows File Server Cluster (name of the cluster) of interest when running a File System scan against a Windows File System Cluster. Within the Master Host Table, there should be a host entry for the cluster as well as for each node. Additionally, each of these host entries must have the name of the cluster in the WinCluster column in the host inventory data. This may need to be updated manually.

See the View/Edit section of the Host Management Activities topic for additional information on host inventory.

  • For FSAA and SDD scans, configure a custom host list to target the cluster's Role Server.

The host targeted by the File System scans is only the host entry for the cluster. For example:

The environment has a Windows File System Cluster named ExampleCluster1 with three nodes named ExampleNodeA, ExampleNodeB, and ExampleNodeC. There would be four host entries in the Access Analyzer Master Host Table: ExampleCluster1, ExampleNodeA, ExampleNodeB, and ExampleNodeC. Each of these four entries would have the same value of the cluster name in the WinCluster column: ExampleCluster1. An additional entry containing the File Server Role Server names should also be added, including the WinCluster name of the nodes. This File Server Role Server name is the target host.

Least Privilege Permission Model for Windows Clusters​

If a least privilege model is required by the organization, then the credential must have READ access on the following registry key:

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Cluster\Nodes

Sensitive Data Discovery Scans

For Sensitive Data Discovery Auditing scans on a Windows File System Cluster it is necessary for the credential to also have Group membership in both of the following local groups for all nodes which comprise the cluster:

  • Power Users
  • Backup Operators

DFS Namespaces​

The FileSystem > 0.Collection > 0-FSDFS System Scans Job is configured by default to target the default domain controller for the domain in which Access Analyzer resides. This is the appropriate target host for this job when targeting a domain-based namespace. To target a standalone namespace or multiple namespaces, create a custom host list of the servers hosting the namespaces. Then assign the custom host list to the 0-FSDFS System Scans Job. No additional host list is require for the FileSystem > 0.Collection Job Group unless additional file servers are also being targeted.

DFS as Part of a Windows Cluster Consideration

If the DFS hosting server is part of a Windows Cluster, then the Windows File System Clusters requirements must be included with the credential.