How can you secure infrastructure in remote or hostile environments?

The very first step is to asses risks in remote or hostile environments and this involves identifying threats, vulnerabilities and potential impacts on infrastructure. Analyze likelihood and impact, prioritize risks, and develop mitigation strategies such as security controls, backup plans, and employee training. Regular monitoring and review are essential for ongoing risk management.

STRIDE and DREAD are two distinct frameworks used for risk assessment, but they serve slightly different purposes. 1. STRIDE: - Focus: STRIDE focuses on categorizing different types of security threats or attack vectors that can affect a system or application. - Categories: It breaks down threats into six categories: Spoofing, Tampering, Repudiation, Information Disclosure, Denial of Service, and Elevation of Privilege. 2. DREAD: - Focus: DREAD focuses on assessing and prioritizing individual risks based on specific criteria, providing a quantitative approach to risk analysis. - Criteria: It evaluates risks based on five factors: Damage, Reproducibility, Exploitability, Affected users, and Discoverability.

Remote environments are always vulnerable to attack as it is the weakness part of your network , To assess the risk your remote environment is facing you cannot find a method valuable that "Threat Modeling" Thret Modeling is the process in which potential security threats and vulnerabilities can be identified and mitigation can be prioritized As per CISSP the most commonly threat modeling used are called STRIDE, DREAD, and PASTA.

1.Physical Security Measures: Use ruggedized hardware and access controls like locks and surveillance. 2.Perimeter Security: Establish secure perimeters with sensors and alarms. 3.Access Control: Implement strong authentication and role-based access. 4.Network Security: Segment networks, encrypt traffic, and deploy IDPS. 5.Endpoint Security: Install endpoint protection and encryption tools. 6.Monitoring and Logging: Enable logging, monitoring, and SIEM solutions. 7.Incident Response and Contingency Planning: Develop and test response plans with backup procedures. 8.Security Awareness Training: Educate users about security best practices and threats. 9.Regulatory Compliance: Stay compliant with regulations and conduct assessments regularly.

Choosing the right architecture is based on what service you are using , what is your budget and what resources can handle this architecture You can go with cloud based architecture if you have lean IT team or do not have enough resources overseeing your remote site plus your budget is limited In cloud solutions you will free your mind from security controls as it will be a burden on the cloud side or as CISSP "Shared responsibility"

Design the architecture with security as a foundational principle: Utilize secure network design principles, such as segmentation, isolation, and least privilege access controls. Employ strong authentication mechanisms, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA). Implement encryption to protect data both in transit and at rest. Consider the use of Zero Trust principles, which assume that threats may exist both inside and outside the network perimeter. Evaluate the use of decentralized or distributed architectures that can operate autonomously in the absence of centralized infrastructure. Leverage cloud-based or managed security services where appropriate, as they can provide scalability, expertise, and rapid response capabilities.

In an organization, implementing 'Security Controls' involves access control, network security, data encryption, patch management, physical security, security awareness, incident response, and regular periodic audits. These measures will help protecting infrastructure from any unauthorized access, cyber threats, and physical attacks, ensuring the security and resilience of your organization's infrastructure in remote or hostile environments.

Consider controls such as: Physical security measures, such as secure enclosures, locks, and surveillance cameras. Network security measures, such as firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and virtual private networks (VPNs). Endpoint security measures, such as antivirus software, endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions. Access controls, such as strong authentication mechanisms (e.g., multi-factor authentication), role-based access control (RBAC), and least privilege principles. Data protection measures, such as encryption, data loss prevention (DLP) solutions, and data backup and recovery procedures. Monitoring and logging solutions, such as security information and event management (SIEM) systems.

Security controls includes three thing , security rules , security devices and awareness For security devices and as you are in remote architecture so the best way is using cloud security solution like SASE or SSE , Cisco Umbrella is fine here as it gives you hole security portfolio from one dashboard like Firewall , DLP, SWG, RBI For Securty rules you have to implement secure design principles like "Secure default" , "ail security", "Separation of duties" , "Keep it simple", "Zero trust" , "Defense in depth " , and "Privacy by design"

Thoroughly test and validate the security architecture in simulated or controlled environments before deployment. Conduct penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and tabletop exercises to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Provide training and awareness programs to educate personnel about security best practices, policies, and procedures. Train employees on how to recognize and respond to security threats and incidents effectively. Foster a culture of security consciousness and accountability throughout the organization, encouraging employees to report security concerns and adhere to security policies and guidelines.

As new technologies and techniques become available, they can be incorporated into your security measures to enhance their effectiveness.