How do you include security in your solution design?

Infusing security into solution design is akin to crafting a shield before a quest, and it begins with a deliberate identification of security objectives. It's not merely a checklist; it's a strategic dialogue with the architecture's essence. I advocate for architects to envision security not as a barrier but as an enigmatic ally, aligning every objective with the heartbeat of the solution. By defining these objectives, we transform security from a mere component into the very DNA of the architecture, ensuring it doesn't just protect but fortifies, becoming a silent guardian in the symphony of innovation.

In the evolving era of business expectation from security, it needs to be considered primarily at the following domain level - Data governance, Outcome governance, agility governance, autonomous productivity governance and sustainability governance perspective. Controlling data is risk to the business growth in the age of digital connectivity. So, right purpose of the information being sent out needs to assessed on demand. We expect security plays an important role from this holistic perspective.

Security should be baked into solution design from the start through threat modeling, following secure coding practices, and architecting with zero trust in mind. Utilize automation, cryptography, access controls, and continuous validation to build in security across components and the system lifecycle. Adopt a proactive security mindset.

Security is by design with left shift to right shift balance. Security should be embedded into code, architecture and across deployment stages and operationaliztion of systems. Security is desired to embedded at every stage for example at design stage do perform Threat Modelling to explore system vulnerabilities and threats following risk mitigation measures early. This is shift left, similarly apply security patterns across architectural pipelines and code. Secure Architecture is key. While Frameworks are set of requirements to follow and comply with. The core is how we secure our systems at design and runtime.

In my view, prioritizing security in design is crucial today given connectivity risks. Consulting resources like OWASP help identify vulnerabilities to address upfront through standards and best practices. However, new threats inevitably emerge. Maintaining security is an ongoing process after launch. Situational awareness, continuous monitoring, and prompt response are key. While no solution is bulletproof, designing with security in mind and constant diligence throughout operation helps manage inherent risks in our digital world.

It is important to implement separation of duties along with least privileges. It means no role should have too much authority & divide the roles assumed by an user. As a basic rule, I think system should not be as secure as the security of the weakest components. So, it is important to imply principles like failing securely & we must avoid security by obscurity. If all components imply these principles finding loopholes is difficult and entire system is not compromised because of the malfunction in one component.

These security principles are essential for creating a robust and resilient security architecture within your solution. By implementing least privilege, defense in depth, secure by design, and fail-safe principles, you reduce the risk of security breaches and ensure that your solution can withstand potential threats and vulnerabilities.

Here are some things I consider to apply security principles in solution architecture: - Incorporate security considerations right from the outset of your architectural design process. Ensure that security is woven into every phase of development, spanning planning, design, implementation, and ongoing maintenance. - Acknowledge that no single security measure is infallible. Instead, layer multiple security controls to build a resilient defense against threats. - Stay informed by monitoring threat intelligence feeds, security advisories, and industry reports. Regularly evaluate and adjust your security measures to proactively address new risks.

To effectively secure your solution, implementing key security principles is essential. Among these, the principle of least privilege ensures users and components only have access necessary for their roles, minimizing exposure to potential breaches. Defense in depth builds upon this by integrating multiple layers of security controls, safeguarding your solution from a variety of threats and scenarios. The secure by design approach embeds security measures from the outset, ensuring they are integral rather than supplementary. Additionally, adopting a fail-safe design guarantees your solution can handle errors and failures gracefully without undermining security or functionality.

Selecting the right security technologies is pivotal in translating your security principles and objectives into actionable protection. Depending on your solution's architecture, scope, and complexity, choices can vary. Encryption is fundamental, safeguarding data confidentiality and integrity whether it's in transit or at rest. Ensuring only legitimate user and component access begins with authentication, which verifies identities and credentials. Following this, authorization applies policies on access and permissions, curbing unauthorized actions. Lastly, auditing serves as the oversight mechanism, monitoring and documenting solution activities to identify and address any anomalies or incidents swiftly.

Security tools and technologies are a must when it comes to secure and protect data and infrastructure but Human ressource still be on the top of priorities and security program agenda. Technologies is useless without governance and the know how, skills and expertise to administer, tune, develop and implement use cases on technologies solutions

Based on my experience, here are my steps to select the right security technologies. 1) Start by assessing your organization’s security needs. Consider factors like data sensitivity, compliance requirements, and the threat landscape. Next, define security objectives, including confidentiality, integrity, and availability. 2) Analyze potential threats and vulnerabilities related to your solution. Understand the impact of security breaches on your business. 3) Choose security services. 4) Ensure that the chosen security services seamlessly integrate with your existing infrastructure. Leverage your current investments, including firewalls, IDS/IPS, encryption, and proxies. 5) Stay informed about evolving security trends and updates.

Selecting the right security technologies for your solution is crucial to effectively protect your data and resources. Encryption, authentication, authorization, and auditing are fundamental components of a comprehensive security strategy. By carefully choosing and implementing these technologies, you can enhance the overall security posture of your solution.

Every solution has a hack, every hack has a defense, and every defense has a counter. It is an endless cycle of cat and mouse. You must first realize you are the mouse, and find other cats to elaborate the traps. Its not enough to test internally, no matter how thorough you may attempt to be. Using external teams for vulnerability checking and individual contributors via bounty boards has my highest recommendation. We become blind to our system's flaws after working with them for so long. A defect shelved as non-priority could be the death of an enterprise. Allow others to attempt to penetrate your production systems with "capture the flag" games, and reward those who succeed financially. You will save money in time and development.

Security is a continuous journey for a solution, regular reviews are crucial, checking for vulnerabilities via pen testing is needed on regular time intervals, incorporate security by design from the get go. Perform threat models for your solution. Review all third party components in your solution and check for thier security practices

Security Architecture It is important to consider security including privacy, resilience & trust across all the solution architecture layers. The key is to identify and classify the assets in the solution architecture layers, analyse the risks and controls to protect asset value. Such value may increase or decrease over a period of time. Thus, asset value and its protection need to evolve and adapt to meet the security objectives.

Security is most essential part of any organization. In order to minimize the risk associated with security: 1. Endpoints must be installed in every PC. 2. Awareness about phishing mail. 3. Alert must be configured in devices. 4. Applications must be hide behind application firewall. 5. firewalls with UTM license. 6. Layers of architecture needs to maintain.