Developing cybersecurity architectures is not just a matter of selecting what tools or processes will be needed to secure a system or achieve a specific security goal. While doing this is part of the process, it alone will not cover all aspects needed to ensure fit-for-use and fit-for-purpose cybersecurity. Nor will it provide two-way traceability, which can help assure business leaders that they are receiving value from the team and that they can be confident in their security protections and posture.
When performing architectural activities, the following should all be considered:
- Business Needs: Business needs are the starting point of cybersecurity architecture. There needs to be time spent on understanding the organization’s objectives, strategies, and operational requirements. By defining business-driven cybersecurity architecture, businesses can align their security measures with their overall goals and ensure that security activities contribute to the organization’s success.
Value added: Defining cybersecurity architecture at this layer enables businesses to prioritize and allocate resources efficiently, establish risk management strategies, and ensure that security measures protect critical business functions.
- Physical and Digital Asset Identification: The two fundamental deliverables of cybersecurity architecture are enabling business needs and mitigating risks from cybersecurity-related threats. Identifying the physical and digital assets in-scope of any activity is critical to do this effectively. Valuable assets cannot be protected if they are unknown.
Every architecture engagement should include identifying the various types of assets related to the scope of the engagement, their value, sensitivity, and criticality. Businesses can develop effective, efficient measures to classify, assess, and protect assets only by clearly identifying them.
Value added: Defining asset-informed cybersecurity architecture helps businesses ensure their critical assets’ confidentiality, integrity, and availability. It also drives the implementation of appropriate controls and enables secure asset lifecycle management.
- Application Identification: Nearly all organizations that rely on cybersecurity architects will have various software and applications enabling their business processes. Identifying, designing, and implementing application security controls to protect against unauthorized access, data breaches, misuse, and similar threats are vital. Cybersecurity architecture must identify all applications to ensure they are designed and configured securely and that security controls are integrated throughout the software development lifecycle.
Value added: Defining application cybersecurity architecture helps businesses maintain the trust of their customers and partners by ensuring the security of the applications they interact with. It reduces risks associated with application vulnerabilities, protects against potential attacks, and enables secure integration with other systems.
- Infrastructure Identification: Infrastructure security architecture secures the organization’s technology infrastructure, including servers, networks, devices, and hosting facilities. It encompasses network architecture, server configurations, firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and other infrastructure components.
Identifying the physical infrastructure throughout the businesses enables building a robust and resilient infrastructure that supports secure operations.
Value added: Defining cybersecurity architecture at this layer helps businesses minimize the risk of unauthorized access, data loss, and service disruptions. It ensures the availability and reliability of infrastructure components, enables effective network segmentation, monitors and detects suspicious activities, and helps organizations respond swiftly to security incidents.
- People & Physical Security: People and physical security is often overlooked, however it is critical to consider when developing cybersecurity services. Addressing the human aspects of cybersecurity is needed to prevent risks related to misuse, disgruntled employees, insider threats, and behavioral aspects that can impact business needs. Consideration must be given to employees, contractors, and users. Physical aspects involve the facilities, equipment, and physical security measures. Key cybersecurity architecture development at this level should target implementing appropriate training and awareness programs, user access controls, and physical security controls.
Value added: Defining cybersecurity architecture at this level helps businesses create a culture of security awareness, minimize the risk of insider threats, and protect physical assets. It ensures that individuals understand their roles and responsibilities in maintaining security, following secure practices, and safeguarding against human errors or intentional misconduct.
By addressing all of these aspects as part of cybersecurity architecture activities, businesses can systematically address and manage risks, enhance their overall security posture, and align security measures with their strategic goals and operational requirements. Ensuring a clear scope for the goals and objectives being addressed is vital and will inform the architect which of the above areas are most relevant. In nearly all cases, all the areas should be at least considered to have a comprehensive architecture.
