How do you design secure architectures using standards and frameworks?

Designing secure architectures involves adhering to established standards and frameworks like ISO 27001, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and OWASP. Start with a thorough risk assessment to identify vulnerabilities. Then, implement controls and countermeasures according to the standards, ensuring encryption, access controls, and regular audits. Continuously monitor and update the architecture to stay ahead of evolving threats. Regularly train staff and foster a culture of security awareness to mitigate human error. Regularly review and adapt the architecture to emerging threats and new standards.

Designing a secure business security policy, working thoroughly and continuously on the Network & infra Security architecture in collaboration with the business stakeholders is good practice. Implementing Security frame works #ISO27001, #ISM, #Essential8, #NIST, #PSPF (Protective Security Policy Framework). Build Risk Assessment strategies. Another factor neglected by the business is to train their staff to be Cyber Safe. A little can do a lot. Keeping in mind the business and staff safety, maybe something is OKAY in our point of view in Cyber Security safe but not for the business, that's why working on the architecture in collaboration with the other business units to implement the frameworks to achieve the business objectives together.

one could start by learning the standards and frameworks first. it seems my first sentence is too short to be posted and i needed to add filler.

"The cheapest way to learn is with the mistake from the others" , so basically you don't need to reinvent the wheel. Based on this the companies need to learn and master the framework that guides the markets to the best practices Procedures and frameworks help companies to build their rituals and create a culture of security by design. Once those concepts are incorporated into the company culture they will spread in an organic way

Enhance security architecture by conducting risk assessments for the business functions. Once risk has been identified, leverage relevant standards as industry best practices to advocate adequate controls, adopt layered defences, strengthen access control, revise policies, foster awareness, and perform continuous monitoring. It's always good to use some reference architecture and map it to your business objectives, such as SABSA, a business-driven Security architecture.

Identify Security Requirements: Understand the security requirements specific to your organization, industry, and compliance regulations. Consider data sensitivity, access controls, authentication and authorization mechanisms, encryption requirements, auditing, and monitoring. Adopt Security Standards and Frameworks: Leverage industry-standard security frameworks and guidelines like ISO 27001, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, CIS Controls, or Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) Cloud Controls Matrix. These frameworks provide comprehensive security controls and best practices for different aspects of your architecture.

When selecting a standard or framework for your security architecture, consider factors like - - project scope - complexity, - specific objectives, - regulatory needs and industry specifics. Consider data sharing, authn/authz and deployment strategies.

Defense in Depth: Implement a defense-in-depth strategy by layering security controls at various levels of your architecture. This includes network security, host security, application security, data security, and user access controls. Each layer should have multiple security measures to provide redundancy and mitigate risks. Secure Network Design: Design your network architecture with a focus on security. Use network segmentation to isolate critical systems and data from the rest of the network. Implement firewalls, network access control lists (ACLs), intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and secure network protocols.

To design a secure Architecture, the plan or the requirement must be assessed by security team. Not only to comply with the standards but also to evaluate the potential risk. Start with Zero Trust mindset and then following point needs to be thought of : 1.) Data Security :- Type of data and their sensitivity, stored, processed or transmitted, location, encryption and access control. 2.) System Security :- Auth and Auth, Hardening, Networking, most importantly logging. 3.) AppSec :- updates, patches, pentest, secure coding. 4.) Operational Security :- Security Awareness, Incident response, backups, etc.

To design a secure architecture, to start with risk assessment and adhere to industry standards like - ISO 27001 for information security management. - NIST Cybersecurity Framework - OWASP for comprehensive guidelines. - Employ defense-in-depth strategy, implementing layers of security controls. - Utilize encryption, strong authentication, and access controls. Incorporate principles like least privilege and separation of duties. Implement secure coding practices and conduct regular security assessments, including penetration testing. Foster a culture of security awareness among personnel. Continuous monitoring and incident response plans are crucial for maintaining resilience against evolving threats.

Each organisation has distinct business objectives, and the participation of executive management is crucial in developing security policies that align with business objectives and requirements. Creating a robust security framework requires a strategic approach that incorporates both local and international standards based on compliance needs, as well as adhering to industry best practices. Also, security design principles should be embedded as the core while crafting a security architecture or strategy that includes defence-in-depth, zero trust, and least privilege, to name a few. With the ever-evolving threat landscape, it is also imperative to periodically re-evaluate the security framework to ensure it performs to its maximum potential.

Secure Identity and Access Management (IAM): Implement strong authentication mechanisms like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and enforce least privilege access controls. Utilize centralized identity management solutions and implement role-based access control (RBAC) to ensure proper authorization. Secure Data Management: Encrypt sensitive data using industry-standard encryption algorithms at rest and in transit. Implement secure data storage mechanisms, such as encrypted databases or storage services. Use data loss prevention (DLP) techniques to prevent unauthorized data leakage.