How can system architects design encryption solutions resistant to social engineering attacks?

For me, social engineering is mostly about tricking a person into disclosing some information such as password or access key. Adding multiple levels of authentication makes social engineering harder. For example, if we introduce 2FA/MFA (Multi Factor Authentication) our users are protected even if they disclose their passwords. Additionally, if we introduce Device Verification and notice users about new signup locations, we will have alarming system as well. Hardware protection and biometrics is also valid protection. In my experience, combination of: 1. strong password policies and regular rotation 2. MFA (i.e. Authenticator or SMS confirmation) 3. Device Verification is fantastic way to protect your customers.

To safeguard against social engineering attacks targeting encryption systems, system architects should prioritize the implementation of multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all access points to encrypted data or systems. MFA necessitates users to provide multiple forms of evidence to verify their identity, such as a code sent to their phone, a biometric scan, or a hardware token. This layered approach significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, as even if one factor is compromised, access to encrypted data remains protected without the additional verification.

MFA provides multiple layer of security which was missing in 2FA... System Architect role is to analyse the system so based on type of system they are building 1.SYSTEM Architecture with Online system MFA can be combined with TOPT (Time based OTP) and Device Authentication along with password. 2.System Architecture for Offline system (Industrial system ) if need of MFA is there it can be obtained by having System login password and Profile password where local TOTP will be sent to access the control of system otherwise remains in view only mode.

Designing encryption solutions that are resistant to social engineering attacks requires a combination of technical approaches and design processes that take into account human vulnerabilities and social behaviors. It is very important to educate users to be aware of the possibility of attacks using social engineering. It is therefore very important to ensure that all users involved understand the risks associated with social engineering attacks and are educated on how to recognize and deal with them. Training strategies will have to be adapted to the audience of users: for example, for company employees, training may be more direct, while for users of a public portal, notices or emails, etc. will have to be used.

Quando se trata de projetar solu??es de criptografia, é importante considerar também os aspectos sociais, né? Tipo, engenharia social, onde os caras tentam manipular as pessoas pra obter informa??es sensíveis. Uma abordagem legal é focar n?o só na tecnologia, mas também na conscientiza??o e treinamento da galera. Ensinar a reconhecer possíveis golpes e a importancia de manter as informa??es seguras é essencial. Além disso, a autentica??o de dois fatores é um belo refor?o, porque até se alguém cair num golpe, ainda teria essa segunda camada de prote??o. Outra dica é limitar o acesso apenas ao necessário e garantir que as chaves de criptografia sejam bem protegidas, com controles de acesso e monitoramento constante.

To enhance data security, encrypting data both at rest and in transit is vital, as social engineers may attempt to intercept or access encrypted data. Strong and updated encryption algorithms and protocols should be employed for robust protection. System architects must securely store and manage encryption keys, regularly rotating and revoking them as needed. Additionally, encryption techniques enabling granular access control and audit logging, such as attribute-based encryption or homomorphic encryption, should be utilized. These measures safeguard data integrity and confidentiality against potential breaches.

To mitigate potential damage or loss of encrypted data caused by social engineering attacks, implementing backup and recovery plans is crucial. System architects should encrypt backups and store them in diverse locations and media. Regular testing of recovery procedures ensures preparedness, while ongoing monitoring of encryption systems detects signs of tampering or breaches promptly. These measures bolster data resilience and facilitate swift recovery in the event of unauthorized access or data corruption.

This is an area where requirements typically come from a higher level than the system architect, often from a centralized security organization. It is the architect's responsibility to ensure that the security controls are in place, but these policies may be considered as minimum standards. The architect should understand where greater controls are warranted based on the criticality of each system. Losing email for two days is a large hit to productivity, but losing revenue generating capabilities is an existential crisis.

Making sure that the encryption solutions are resilient to social engineering attacks by employing strong encryption algorithms, implementing secure key management practices, utilizing access control mechanisms, emphasizing employee training and awareness, integrating multi-factor authentication, and conducting regular security audits and updates are essential. The security can be enhanced by creating a comprehensive defence strategy that is reviewed and updated periodically.

Key management is an important aspect to storing encrypted data. Encryption keys should follow - The principle of least privilege - Key encryption keys(KeK) can be used to provide an additional layer of security - Key backup and recovery should be followed religiously to ensure business continuity - Keys should be rotated regularly with finite expiry times - Can also use vaults to store keys but that doesn't mean storing all the keys together in one vault