NGINX is more than just a web server; it's an open-source software suite that offers a myriad of services, including reverse proxy, load balancing, and HTTP caching. Initially released in 2004, it has gained a reputation for its robustness, high-performance capabilities, and architectural simplicity. Its event-driven architecture allows it to handle large volumes of traffic with ease, making it a go-to solution for businesses of all sizes. According to industry surveys and data, NGINX is one of the top players in the web server market, often compared favorably to other industry stalwarts like Apache and Microsoft's IIS.

Given NGINX's crucial role in today's digital landscape - serving as the backbone for numerous high-traffic websites, API endpoints, and cloud-based services - securing it should be a top priority for system administrators and developers alike. The aim of this article is to equip you with the absolute musts and best practices for fortifying your NGINX server's security posture.