Secure Architecture Framework and Its Importance

It is essential in today’s technologically advanced world to protect your company from cyber security risks. 

Cyber breaches can cost a business up to $3.3 million on average (IBM), and 33% of those costs can linger for up to two years after the attack. For enterprises that are caught off guard, this can be a significant financial burden.

Using security architecture can lower your risk of cyberattacks and safeguard your assets from damage caused by the internet.

However, what is security architecture, and how would investing in it benefit your company?

Let’s discuss everything in detail…

Security/ Secure Architecture: What Is It?

Security architecture is a broad term that refers to a collection of security models, procedures, and principles that are intended to support your goals and protect your company against online attacks.

The business needs are translated into actionable security requirements through security architecture.

Are you unfamiliar with security architecture?

It can be easily understood by drawing comparisons with conventional architecture. A security architect and a residential, school, or business building architect work largely in tandem.

They inspect the land, consider variables including soil type, climate, geography, and client preference (the property’s current state), and then create a plan (the blueprint) to bring about the intended result.

The structure itself is subsequently constructed by other people—in this example, builders and contractors—under the architect’s supervision to guarantee it achieves the goal.

What constitutes a security architecture framework’s essential components?

A security vision, a security architecture, a security roadmap, and a security governance are the four main components of a security architecture framework.

A high-level statement outlining your security objectives, beliefs, and values is called a security vision.

An elaborate plan that outlines the security rules, components, and relationships is called a security architecture. A strategy that lists your security priorities, efforts, and deadlines is called a security roadmap.

A security governance is a collection of guidelines, protocols, and roles that guarantee the implementation, upkeep, and enhancement of your security architecture.

Examples of Security Architecture Frameworks

Organizations with strong security architectures are certain to have the IT infrastructure necessary to effectively prevent, detect, and respond to threats.

Additionally, it assists in choosing which technologies to deploy when, allowing security decision-makers to add new features as the threat landscape changes.

Security architects can work with frameworks, or guidelines. A set of uniform rules and procedures for putting various levels of enterprise security architecture into practice is known as a security architecture framework.

Businesses can also choose to create their own frameworks by merging international standard frameworks, such the following:

• TOGAF
• SABSA
• OSA

TOGAF Framework

The Open Group Architecture Framework, or TOGAF, aids in identifying the issues that must be resolved inside a company’s security architecture.

Its main focus is on the objectives and scope of the organization, together with the initial stages of security architecture. However, TOGAF does not provide detailed instructions on how to handle security-related issues.

SABSA Framework

The Sherwood Applied Business Security Architecture, or SABSA, is an architecture that is driven by policies.

It aids in defining the important queries—what, why, when, and who—that security architecture is limited to responding to. SABSA’s mission is to guarantee that security services are designed, implemented, and maintained as an essential component of the company’s IT management.

One drawback, though, is that SABSA leaves out important technical implementation details.

OSA Framework

The Open Security Architecture (OSA), on the other hand, is a framework for both functional and technical security measures.

In order to create effective security architectures, architects must make decisions about key security components, principles, issues, and concepts. OSA provides a thorough review of these topics.

However, OSA is only applicable in cases where the security architecture has already been created.

Importance and Benefits

A financial institution’s security architecture framework implementation is a complex, iterative process that calls for careful planning, carrying out, and assessing.

Start by evaluating your present security posture and noting any vulnerabilities, threats, or openings. Next, establish your security vision and make sure it complements your goals and business plan.

Make your own hybrid framework or select a security architecture framework that suits your needs. Using your framework and vision as a guide, create your security architecture and document.

·        Cut Down on Security Vulnerabilities

Strong cybersecurity architectures enable organizations to significantly decrease, if not completely eliminate, the volume and severity of threats rather than just responding to breaches as they happen.

Simultaneously, security ingrained in an organization’s DNA (like Zero Trust) guarantees that security is an essential component of each development cycle.

This closes gaps and gives DevOps a risk-free environment in which to develop and innovate.

·        Enhanced Security Management

Organizations can adopt more effective security measures with the help of a well-designed security architecture, which can result in enhanced incident response, centralized management, customized protection, risk reduction, scalability, integration, and continuous improvement.

When taken as a whole, these advantages strengthen the security posture and improve the safety of organizational resources and activities.

·        Accelerate Reaction Times

Hackers with experience can quickly locate and take advantage of infrastructure disconnections. For this reason, a large number of breaches that occur nowadays are caused by flaws in security procedures.

These holes are filled and procedures for in case of a breach are provided by a robust security architecture. Security teams are prepared to act quickly to neutralize attacks before they become more serious, frequently using cybersecurity automation.

·        Security Tool And Policy Standardization

Benefits from standardizing security tools and policies through a security architecture include a uniform security posture, simplicity in deployment and management, cost-effectiveness, interoperability, streamlined incident response, compliance readiness, and improved teamwork.

Although there isn’t a single framework for secure architecture that works for every scenario, if you know what you’re trying to solve, you can probably find one that works best for you.