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https://github.com/ianonymous3000/remote-nonprofit-netsec-guide


https://github.com/ianonymous3000/remote-nonprofit-netsec-guide

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README 

        
# Network Setup and Security Guide for Remote Non-Profits (All Open Source & Free Tools)



This comprehensive guide provides a roadmap for fully remote non-profit organizations to set up and secure their networks using only free and open-source tools. It covers fundamental concepts, essential services, best practices, and strategies to protect sensitive data, ensuring a secure and sustainable digital environment that supports your mission.



---



## Table of Contents



- [Introduction](#introduction)  

- [Guiding Principles](#guiding-principles)  

- [Foundational Concepts](#foundational-concepts)  

  - [Zero-Trust Security](#zero-trust-security)  

  - [Open-Source First](#open-source-first)  

- [Architecture Overview](#architecture-overview)  

  - [VPN and Secure Remote Access](#vpn-and-secure-remote-access)  

  - [Cloud and On-Premise Hosting Considerations](#cloud-and-on-premise-hosting-considerations)  

  - [Identity and Access Management (IAM)](#identity-and-access-management-iam)  

  - [Network Segmentation](#network-segmentation)  

  - [Encrypted Communication](#encrypted-communication)  

- [Tools Summary](#tools-summary)  

- [Step-by-Step Setup](#step-by-step-setup)  

  - [VPN Setup](#vpn-setup)  

  - [File Sharing and Collaboration](#file-sharing-and-collaboration)  

  - [Secure Communication and Email](#secure-communication-and-email)  

  - [Identity and Access Management Setup](#identity-and-access-management-setup)  

  - [Encrypted Communication Implementation](#encrypted-communication-implementation)  

  - [Password Management](#password-management)  

- [Network Segmentation Details](#network-segmentation-details)  

- [Endpoint Security and Device Management](#endpoint-security-and-device-management)  

- [Monitoring, Logging, and Analysis](#monitoring-logging-and-analysis)  

- [Security Monitoring and Incident Response](#security-monitoring-and-incident-response)  

- [User Education and Awareness](#user-education-and-awareness)  

- [Continuous Improvement](#continuous-improvement)  

- [Automated Security Updates and Patch Management](#automated-security-updates-and-patch-management)  

- [Data Backup and Recovery](#data-backup-and-recovery)  

- [Cloud Security and Hardening](#cloud-security-and-hardening)  

- [Third-Party Risk Management](#third-party-risk-management)  

- [Compliance and Legal Considerations](#compliance-and-legal-considerations)  

- [Physical Security](#physical-security)  

- [Testing Your Security Posture](#testing-your-security-posture)  

- [Security Metrics and Reporting](#security-metrics-and-reporting)  

- [Additional Recommendations and Advanced Topics](#additional-recommendations-and-advanced-topics)  

- [Additional Resources](#additional-resources)  

- [Contributing](#contributing)  

- [Conclusion](#conclusion)  



---



## Introduction



Fully remote non-profits face unique cybersecurity challenges: distributed staff, limited budgets, and the need to safeguard donor information, financial data, and internal communications. This guide empowers you to build a strong security foundation using only open-source, free-to-use tools, ensuring cost-effective, transparent, and community-vetted solutions.



## Guiding Principles



- **Risk-Based Focus:** Identify and protect your most sensitive assets first.  

- **Simplicity & Accessibility:** Choose widely supported, user-friendly tools.  

- **Scalability & Flexibility:** Implement solutions that evolve with your organization.  

- **Transparency & Trust:** Use open-source tools for verifiable security and community support.  

- **Continuous Improvement:** Reassess and refine security measures regularly.



## Foundational Concepts



### Zero-Trust Security



Adopt a mindset where no user, device, or network is implicitly trusted. Every request to access sensitive resources should be authenticated, authorized, and encrypted.



### Open-Source First



Open-source tools provide transparency, community-driven development, and lower costs. By using open-source software, you can:



- Verify security through public code reviews.  

- Avoid vendor lock-in.  

- Benefit from large, active communities that provide ongoing support and improvements.



## Architecture Overview



A secure remote environment for your non-profit can be built with these core components:



### VPN and Secure Remote Access



- **WireGuard or OpenVPN:** These open-source VPNs create encrypted tunnels for staff to securely access internal resources over public networks.



### Cloud and On-Premise Hosting Considerations



You can host services on open-source-friendly cloud providers (or on-premise if feasible):



- Consider reputable providers that offer virtual machines (Linux-based) for hosting your chosen open-source tools.

- Always encrypt data in transit (TLS) and at rest.



### Identity and Access Management (IAM)



Centralize identity control and authentication:



- **Keycloak** or **FreeIPA:** Open-source IAM solutions that support Single Sign-On (SSO) and multi-factor authentication (MFA).



### Network Segmentation



Divide your network into zones to limit the impact of a breach:



- Use firewalls and VLANs to separate public-facing services from internal resources and sensitive data stores.



### Encrypted Communication



Ensure all communication channels are encrypted end-to-end where possible:



- **Signal:** Secure messaging, voice, and video.  

- **OpenPGP:** Standard for email encryption.



## Tools Summary



| Tool                                         | Function                                         |

|----------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|

| **WireGuard/OpenVPN**                        | VPN for secure remote access                     |

| **Nextcloud**                                | Secure file sharing & collaboration              |

| **Mattermost**                               | Team communication (chat, channels, file sharing)|

| **Keycloak/FreeIPA**                         | IAM, SSO, MFA                                    |

| **Signal**                                    | Encrypted messaging & calling                    |

| **OpenPGP (GnuPG)**                          | Email/file encryption                            |

| **Mail-in-a-Box or Modoboa**                 | Self-hosted email server & security hardening    |

| **Bitwarden (Self-Hosted)**                  | Password management                              |

| **Wazuh**                                    | Open-source SIEM and endpoint security           |

| **OpenVAS (Greenbone Community Edition)**     | Vulnerability scanning                           |

| **Renovate**                                 | Automated dependency updates                     |

| **Ansible/Puppet/Chef**                      | Configuration & patch management                 |

| **BorgBackup or Restic**                     | Encrypted backups                                |

| **MeshCentral**                              | Open source remote device management             |



## Step-by-Step Setup



### VPN Setup



1. **Choose a VPN:**  

   - **WireGuard:** Modern, lightweight, high-performance.  

   - **OpenVPN:** Mature, flexible, widely supported.



2. **Deploy the VPN Server:**  

   - Run on a Linux-based VM.  

   - Harden by disabling unnecessary services and applying updates regularly.



3. **Client Profiles:**  

   - Generate unique keys for each user.  

   - Distribute configs securely (e.g., via encrypted email or a secure portal in Nextcloud).



4. **Mandatory Use:**  

   - Require VPN use for all internal systems, ensuring encrypted access for staff.



### File Sharing and Collaboration



1. **Nextcloud Setup:**  

   - Install Nextcloud on a secure server or VM.  

   - Enable end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication.  

   - Store sensitive documents here rather than on staff laptops.



2. **Mattermost for Communication:**  

   - Host Mattermost on a secure VM behind your VPN.  

   - Integrate with Keycloak for SSO.  

   - Use private channels for sensitive discussions.



### Secure Communication and Email



1. **Encrypted Email Server:**  

   - Deploy **Mail-in-a-Box** or **Modoboa** for a self-hosted, open-source email solution.  

   - Configure DNS records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to prevent spoofing.



2. **Email Encryption (OpenPGP):**  

   - Train staff to use GnuPG for encrypting sensitive emails.  

   - Integrate with Thunderbird (Enigmail or native OpenPGP support) for user-friendliness.



3. **Messaging via Signal:**  

   - Encourage Signal for sensitive one-to-one and group communications.  

   - Avoid SMS or unencrypted chat tools.



### Identity and Access Management Setup



1. **Keycloak or FreeIPA:**  

   - Centralize user accounts and roles.  

   - Provide SSO, reducing password fatigue.  

   - Enforce MFA with TOTP-based authenticators (e.g., FreeOTP or andOTP).



2. **Role-Based Access Control (RBAC):**  

   - Define roles (e.g., Admin, Finance, Volunteer) and assign only necessary permissions.  

   - Regularly audit user roles and offboard departed staff promptly.



### Encrypted Communication Implementation



1. **Force TLS Everywhere:**  

   - Use Let’s Encrypt for free TLS certificates on all web services (Nextcloud, Mattermost, Keycloak).



2. **SSH / SFTP:**  

   - Use SSH for remote administration. Disable Telnet and FTP.  

   - Require key-based authentication over passwords for admin access.



### Password Management



1. **Bitwarden (Self-Hosted):**  

   - Deploy a self-hosted Bitwarden server for password storage.  

   - Enforce strong, unique passwords and encourage password sharing through secure vaults.  

   - Enable 2FA for password vault access.



## Network Segmentation Details



1. **Define Zones:**  

   - **Public Zone:** Minimal internet-facing services (e.g., email server interfaces).  

   - **Internal Zone:** Systems accessible only via VPN (Nextcloud, Mattermost).  

   - **Restricted Zone:** Sensitive services (IAM, financial data) locked down to specific roles.



2. **Use Firewalls and VLANs:**  

   - Apply the principle of least privilege: only allow necessary traffic between zones.  

   - Keep the restricted zone isolated and accessible only after strict authentication.



3. **Regular Reviews:**  

   - Periodically review firewall rules and VLAN assignments as your organization evolves.



## Endpoint Security and Device Management



1. **Device Baselines:**  

   - Enforce full-disk encryption (e.g., LUKS for Linux) on staff laptops.  

   - Require OS-level security patches, antivirus (e.g., ClamAV), and firewall enabled by default.



2. **Open Source Endpoint Management:**  

   - Use **MeshCentral** for remote device management and monitoring.  

   - Ensure devices meet security standards before granting VPN access.



3. **Personal vs. Work Devices:**  

   - Strongly encourage using dedicated work devices for staff handling sensitive data.  

   - If personal devices must be used, ensure strict security policies apply.



## Monitoring, Logging, and Analysis



1. **SIEM with Wazuh:**  

   - Deploy Wazuh to collect logs from servers, VPN, IAM, and endpoints.  

   - Configure rules for detecting suspicious behavior.



2. **Dashboards & Alerts:**  

   - Set up dashboards for critical events (failed logins, unusual network activity).  

   - Configure email or Mattermost alerts for critical security events.



## Security Monitoring and Incident Response



1. **Incident Response Plan (IRP):**  

   - Follow frameworks like [NIST SP 800-61r2].  

   - Define communication channels, escalation paths, and clear roles for handling incidents.



2. **Vulnerability Scanning with OpenVAS:**  

   - Run regular scans to detect missing patches and misconfigurations.  

   - Remediate findings promptly and record improvements over time.



3. **Regular Drills:**  

   - Conduct tabletop exercises to ensure your team is prepared for real incidents.



## User Education and Awareness



1. **Training:**  

   - Offer basic cybersecurity training for all staff (phishing, password hygiene, identifying suspicious behavior).  

   - Provide ongoing education with simple guides and periodic security newsletters.



2. **Policy Accessibility:**  

   - Keep security policies in Nextcloud, accessible and easy to understand.  

   - Encourage staff to ask questions and clarify doubts.



3. **Reporting Culture:**  

   - Incentivize staff to report suspicious incidents promptly, without fear of blame.



## Continuous Improvement



1. **Scheduled Reviews:**  

   - Quarterly or annual security audits to update policies, tools, and configurations.



2. **Stay Informed:**  

   - Subscribe to open-source security mailing lists, RSS feeds, and non-profit tech communities.



3. **Community Engagement:**  

   - Participate in open-source forums and non-profit security groups to share experiences and stay current.



## Automated Security Updates and Patch Management



1. **OS & Application Patches:**  

   - Configure unattended-upgrades or similar tools for automatic patching of Linux servers.  

   - Use Ansible or Puppet to apply consistent security patches across multiple hosts.



2. **Dependency Management with Renovate:**  

   - Automate dependency updates for web applications or tools you maintain.  

   - Review changes before production deployment to ensure stability.



## Data Backup and Recovery



1. **Regular Backups:**  

   - Use **BorgBackup** or **Restic** for encrypted, incremental backups of critical data.  

   - Perform daily incremental and weekly full backups.



2. **Off-Site Storage:**  

   - Store backups off-site or in a different cloud region. Encrypt them before upload.



3. **Disaster Recovery Drills:**  

   - Test restore procedures regularly to ensure reliability and resilience against ransomware and data loss.



## Cloud Security and Hardening



1. **Least Privilege Cloud Roles:**  

   - Assign minimal IAM roles in the cloud environment. Restrict access to production servers.



2. **Encryption:**  

   - Always enable TLS for data in transit and use native encryption options for data at rest (e.g., LUKS or cloud-based encryption keys).



3. **Secure Configurations:**  

   - Regularly review firewall rules, security groups, and access logs in the cloud.



4. **Monitoring:**  

   - Send cloud logs to Wazuh for centralized alerting and incident response.



## Third-Party Risk Management



1. **Vendor Security Checks:**  

   - When using external open-source solutions or cloud services, review their documentation, security track record, and community reputation.



2. **License Review:**  

   - Ensure all tools comply with open-source licenses that align with your organization’s values and requirements.



## Compliance and Legal Considerations



1. **Identify Applicable Regulations:**  

   - Understand data protection regulations relevant to your jurisdiction (e.g., GDPR for EU data).



2. **Implement Controls:**  

   - Align policies with recognized frameworks (CIS Controls, NIST CSF) for guidance and compliance.



3. **Documentation:**  

   - Keep records of compliance efforts, configuration changes, and security incidents for auditing purposes.



## Physical Security



1. **Device Protection:**  

   - If there is an office or data center presence, lock servers in secure cabinets.  

   - Use cable locks for laptops and secure destruction methods (e.g., wiping or shredding disks) when decommissioning hardware.



2. **Environmental Protections:**  

   - Keep backups in safe locations, protected from fire, flooding, or theft.



## Testing Your Security Posture



1. **Tabletop Exercises:**  

   - Simulate phishing attacks or system breaches to test staff responses and IRP effectiveness.



2. **Ongoing Improvement:**  

   - Refine incident response plans based on lessons learned.



## Security Metrics and Reporting



1. **Key Metrics:**  

   - Track metrics such as patching timeframes, incident response times, and vulnerability counts.



2. **Regular Reporting:**  

   - Provide summaries to stakeholders (board members, donors) to demonstrate ongoing improvements and accountability.



3. **Data-Driven Adjustments:**  

   - Use metrics to prioritize where to invest time and resources (e.g., more training if phishing attempts are frequent).



## Additional Recommendations and Advanced Topics



- **Infrastructure as Code (IaC):**  

  - Use Terraform or Ansible to define and deploy secure configurations repeatedly and reliably.

  

- **Container Security:**  

  - If using containers (Docker, Kubernetes), adopt scanning tools (Trivy, Anchore) for open-source images.

  

- **Micro-Segmentation:**  

  - Consider advanced identity-based segmentation for critical services as you grow.



## Additional Resources



- [NIST Cybersecurity Framework](https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework)  

- [CIS Controls](https://www.cisecurity.org/controls/)  

- [Open Source Security Foundation (OpenSSF)](https://openssf.org/)  

- [OWASP](https://owasp.org/) for Web Application Security  

- [GnuPG](https://gnupg.org/) for encryption guidance  

- [EFF Surveillance Self-Defense](https://ssd.eff.org/) for user-friendly security instructions



## Contributing



This guide thrives on community input. If you have suggestions, improvements, or additional tools to recommend, please submit a pull request or open an issue in the repository hosting this document.



## Conclusion



By following these recommendations and leveraging free, open-source tools, your fully remote non-profit can establish a robust and cost-effective cybersecurity posture. Encourage continuous learning, adapt to emerging threats, and foster a security-conscious culture within your team. With the right mindset and resources, you can protect your organization, its donors, and the communities you serve.



---



**Disclaimer:** This document is provided for informational purposes only. No security measure is foolproof. Consult with cybersecurity professionals as needed and continuously adapt to new threats and challenges.