How to Configure and Maintain Group Policy Objects (GPOs)

What Is a Group Policy Object?

A group policy object (GPO) is a preconfigured command or template that controls the settings and policies of multiple Windows operating systems. It is managed through Microsoft Active Directory, allowing system administrators to apply GPOs to users, machines, or software across an entire organization. GPOs can be used to adjust settings in areas such as security, software installation, scripts, and folder redirection. This enables administrators to remotely manage many systems and software from Active Directory.

Advantages Of Group Policy Objects (GPOs)

Using Group Policy Objects (GPOs) can be an effective security strategy for organizations as it allows administrators to quickly and conveniently implement security measures across the entire organization from the Active Directory. GPOs work best when properly installed and configured, offering benefits such as stronger password policies, improved folder protection, and ease of security management.

In addition to the above, GPOs provide several benefits for organizations, which include:

1. Centralized Management: GPOs allow for the centralized administration of computer and user settings, ensuring consistency across the network.
2. Robust Security: GPOs enable IT administrators to enforce strong security measures, such as password policies and regular password changes, reducing the risk of compromise.
3. Improved Accessibility: GPOs offer features like folder redirection and offline files, allowing users to access files even with poor network connectivity, facilitating seamless collaboration.
4. Consistent Computing Environment: GPOs ensure that users have a consistent computing experience, regardless of the workstation they use, promoting efficiency and familiarity.
5. Data Protection: By redirecting user files to a server location, GPOs help safeguard data by preventing loss due to workstation failures. Regular backups mitigate the risk of data loss, preserving vital information.

Disadvantages Of Group Policy Objects (GPOs)?

GPOs are not a foolproof network security solution. They can be vulnerable to cyberattacks, especially if a hacker exploits local GPOs to gain unauthorized access. Detecting such activity without advanced monitoring software is challenging. Furthermore, the GPO editor is not user-friendly and requires administrators to have a deep understanding of PowerShell to ensure proper updates. Neglecting to update GPOs regularly can also lead to cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Additionally, there is no built-in search or filter option in the GPO editor, making it difficult to locate and address specific settings.

In addition to the above, GPOs have several disadvantages that should be considered:

1. GPOs restrict network flexibility: GPOs are only applicable to users or computers. They are not adaptable for broader settings or for reacting to dynamic environmental changes.
2. Maintenance of GPOs can be complex: There is no built-in filter option for locating specific settings, which makes it challenging to identify and resolve issues within existing configurations.
3. GPOs may lead to slower logon processes: Sequential processing of GPOs can slow down user logon processes if configurations take a long time to implement.
4. GPOs lack a comprehensive audit system: This makes it difficult for IT administrators to track changes or determine who initiated them. The lack of transparency and accountability is also problematic.

It is important to consider these drawbacks alongside the advantages of using GPOs to make informed decisions when implementing them in your organization.

GPO Use Cases and Examples

GPOs can be used to enhance the security of computers within an organization by protecting against internal and external threats. They can restrict access to certain information and prevent actions that may compromise important systems or data. They can also be used to define available network-connected printers or devices for specific users, determine the home screen for users upon logging in, and enforce CTRL+ALT+DELETE for added security.

There are three types of GPOs: local, non-local, and starter GPOs.

1. Local GPOs apply to a single computer and its users
2. Non-local GPOs apply to multiple computers or users linked to Active Directory objects.
3. Starter GPOs are templates for Group Policy settings.

NOTE: It is important to understand the order in which GPOs are processed when implementing them on your network.

Group Policy vs. Azure Policy

Group Policy and Azure Policy differ mainly in their underlying architecture. Group Policy is designed for managing users and computers within an Active Directory, while Azure Policy manages user accounts through Azure Active Directory (AD) for cloud environments.

Azure Policy offers additional capabilities, such as device management through Microsoft Endpoint Manager and Microsoft 365 Business. It also enables device-based conditional access policies by leveraging Azure AD’s device knowledge. Users can access Microsoft Cloud resources by logging in to Azure AD, which supports single sign-on.

Apart from these architectural variations, Azure Policy includes settings for Azure subscriptions, Azure resources, and “in-guest configuration”. These additional features distinguish it from Group Policy.

How Are GPOs Processed and Worked?

GPOs follow a specific order of processing called LSDOU (Local, Site, Domain, and Organizational Unit). It starts with the local computer policy, followed by Active Directory policies from site to domain. Next, GPOs within organizational units apply, starting from the closest OU to the root and moving outward. If conflicts occur, the most recently applied policy takes precedence.

How Do GPOs Work?

Here is a brief overview of how GPOs work:

1. Creation and Configuration: Administrators use the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) to create and configure GPOs. Each GPO consists of policies and settings that define computer and user behavior, such as security protocols, software regulations, and access permissions.
2. Scope Assignment: GPOs are linked to specific Active Directory containers, such as domains, organizational units (OUs), or sites, determining their impact. For example, an OU-linked GPO will affect users and computers within a particular department.
3. Hierarchy and Inheritance: GPOs follow a hierarchical structure, where settings trickle down through inheritance. Multiple GPOs’ settings can combine to affect a single user or computer.
4. Processing: GPOs linked to relevant containers are processed in sequence during logon or startup. This processing takes into account local, site, domain, and OU-based GPOs. Filters are applied to determine applicability.
5. Policy Application: After processing, the policies within the GPOs influence user sessions or computer configurations. This affects various aspects, including security settings, appearance, software installations, and access permissions.
6. Policy Refresh: GPOs refresh periodically to ensure that the configurations remain up to date and reflect any changes or updates. This ensures that the desired settings are consistently applied throughout the network.
7. Group Policy Replication: GPOs are stored in Active Directory and synchronized across domain controllers, ensuring network-wide consistency. Any changes made to GPOs are replicated throughout the network.
8. Feedback and Control: Administrators can monitor GPOs using tools like Event Viewer and Group Policy Results. These tools provide insights into the application of policies and allow administrators to enforce desired settings and configurations.

How To Configure and Maintain Group Policy Objects

To configure group policy objects, you need to use the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC), which can be accessed on domain controllers or installed on servers using the Install-WindowsFeature command line. Once you have access to the GPMC interface, you can create, edit, or delete GPOs according to your requirements.

• Step 1: Connect the group policy to the domain by linking it to the appropriate OU in the GPMC tool.
• Step 2: Customize the GPO settings to your preferences and understand the distinction between the GPO itself and the GPO link.
• Step 3: Arrange the order of GPO application in the linked OUs, avoiding conflicting settings and prioritizing important GPOs.

To maintain group policy objects (GPOs), it is important to follow certain principles and practices. Firstly, give each GPO a descriptive name and add comments explaining its purpose and preferred settings. This helps administrators quickly understand and identify the GPOs. Additionally, it is crucial to regularly backup the GPOs in a recoverable format using GPMC (Group Policy Management Console). This ensures that in the event of a security breach or system hack, the GPOs and their settings can be easily restored. Overall, maintaining GPOs involves labeling them clearly and backing them up regularly in order to facilitate efficient management and recovery processes.

How Lepide Helps Secure Group Policy

GPOs form an integral part of a comprehensive security strategy; however, they can’t provide complete protection by themselves. You must also be able to track changes made to your GPOs and other AD objects.

The Lepide Data Security Platform can help to secure your GPOs through real-time monitoring of your Active Directory environment. It can collect event data from various platforms, including Azure AD, and display a summary of events via an intuitive dashboard. Lepide uses machine learning algorithms determine typical usage patterns, and real-time notifications can be sent to your inbox or mobile device when deviations from these patterns are detected.

If you’d like to see how the Lepide Data Security Platform can help you safeguard your GPOs from unauthorized manipulation, schedule a demo with one of our engineers.