Skip to content

Firewall Baseline

Default stance

Deny by default between all internal networks. Allow only documented traffic.

Zone model

Zone Trust Level Notes
Management High Admin systems only
Servers High Domain controllers and infrastructure servers
Workstations Medium User devices
Printers Low Restricted access
Voice Low Future VoIP
Corporate WiFi Medium RADIUS-authenticated devices
Guest Untrusted Internet only
DMZ Untrusted/Semi-trusted Public-facing services
Backup High Backup systems and traffic

Initial rules

Management to Servers

Allow required administration protocols:

  • RDP, only if needed
  • WinRM
  • SMB admin shares, only if needed
  • DNS
  • ICMP for troubleshooting

Workstations to Domain Controllers

Allow required AD client traffic:

  • DNS
  • Kerberos
  • LDAP/LDAPS
  • SMB
  • RPC endpoint mapper and dynamic RPC as required
  • NTP

Guest network

  • Allow Internet
  • Deny all RFC1918/internal networks

DMZ

  • Allow Internet as needed
  • Deny access to internal networks by default
  • Add explicit reverse-proxy or application rules only when required

Logging

Log all denied traffic during early phases. Later, reduce noisy logs and keep security-relevant events.