Define and document key security architecture design principles to guide infrastructure development, ensuring alignment with organizational risk tolerance and compliance requirements.
Security Architecture Design Principles
Access Control
Identity and Authentication
Audit and Logging
Security Architecture Design Principles
The Security Architecture Design Principles process step involves defining the guidelines for designing and implementing a secure architecture. This includes identifying and prioritizing security requirements, considering threats and vulnerabilities, and selecting appropriate security controls to mitigate risks. The goal is to create an architecture that balances security needs with operational and business objectives. The design principles should be based on industry best practices, regulatory compliance, and organizational risk tolerance. Key considerations include data protection, access control, incident response, and continuous monitoring. A written document or diagram summarizing the design principles will be created as a deliverable to provide a clear understanding of the security architecture's underpinning concepts and philosophies.
Access Control
The Access Control process step involves verifying the identity and credentials of individuals attempting to access a secure area or system. This includes checking identification documents, biometric scans, or PINs against pre-registered information in a database or authentication server. The goal is to ensure that only authorized personnel can gain entry, while denying access to those who do not have the necessary clearance or permissions. Access Control also involves monitoring and recording all access attempts, including successes and failures, to maintain an audit trail and detect potential security threats. This step helps prevent unauthorized access, protect sensitive information, and enforce corporate policies regarding user authentication and authorization.
Identity and Authentication
This process step involves verifying the identity of users attempting to access or interact with the system. It entails authenticating user credentials such as usernames, passwords, and other identifying information against stored records or databases. The goal is to ensure that only authorized individuals can access sensitive data, perform transactions, or execute specific actions within the system. This process typically includes tasks like user registration, password management, session management, and potentially incorporating additional authentication mechanisms like biometric verification, one-time passwords, or smart card validation. Effective identity and authentication processes help prevent unauthorized access, maintain data integrity, and reduce the risk of security breaches.
Audit and Logging
The Audit and Logging process step ensures the secure and compliant collection of critical system events, transactions, and activities. This involves monitoring and recording user interactions, data access, and system modifications to detect potential security breaches or discrepancies. Automated logging tools capture detailed information about each event, including timestamps, user identities, and associated data. Auditing and logging functionality is integrated throughout the application, allowing for real-time monitoring and analysis of activity. Compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards is ensured through the implementation of logging and auditing mechanisms. This process step provides critical visibility into system usage and performance, enabling prompt identification and response to security incidents or anomalies.