SSH protocol based service to provide secure encrypted communications between two untrusted hosts over an insecure network. The recommended state for this setting is: Disabled or Not Installed. Note: This service is not installed by default. It is supplied with Windows, but it is installed by enabling an optional Windows feature (OpenSSH Server). Rationale: Hosting an SSH server from a workstation is an increased security risk, as the attack surface of that workstation is then greatly increased. Note: This security concern applies to any SSH server application installed on a workstation, not just the one supplied with Windows. Impact: The workstation will not be permitted to be a SSH host server.
Solution
To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to: Disabled or ensure the service is not installed. Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\System Services\OpenSSH SSH Server Default Value: Not Installed (Manual when installed)