NTP

NTP synchronizes clocks across systems to keep time accurate.

Updated: 2026-03-05

Definition

Network Time Protocol (NTP) synchronizes system time across devices.

Accurate time is critical for logs, authentication, certificates, and troubleshooting.

Key points

Time sync matters for logs and security
Use reliable sources and restrict access
Time drift can break auth and TLS

Common mistakes

No time sync, making incident timelines unreliable.
Open NTP to the internet (abuse/amplification risk).

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