The key elements associated to Security within EA programs include Information Security, Personnel, Operations, and Physical protection.
- Information Security seeks to protect enterprise data/information systems through privacy-conscious designs, information content assurance, source authentication and data access control.
- Personnel security is extremely important within enterprise architecture because it is the employees that help drive business operations. Personnel security seeks to support and protect employees through user authentication, security awareness, and training.
- Operational security seeks to protect organizational assets through various development and security practices. It promotes the development of SOPs for EA component security, risk assessment, testing and evaluation, remediation, certifications, operation, and disposal. Disaster Recovery Planning form outages or natural disasters and continuity planning falls under operational security.
- Physical Protection protects organizational assets, such as infrastructure: buildings, IT, networks, equipment, etc. Uses EA to implement controls that protect facilities that support IT processes, building access, telecommunications, as well as fire and media storage protection. Typical implementation of physical protection usually involves a layered defense methodology.
There are important considerations and challenges with integrating security architecture with the four elements and EA together. Due to the rapidly evolving innovation and technological environment, security solutions can be difficult to maintain. The technological advancement also creates additional attack surfaces, which can make security solutions obsolete if not maintained, updated, or replaced. Security architecture design and implementation, including risk mitigating strategies, are also susceptible to sabotage, evasion, and disabled by member of the enterprise who have system administration positions, also known as insider threats. This is often the most dangerous security threat to an organization. Compatibility also is a concern when integrating security architecture with EA, ensuing all potential vulnerabilities are addressed and doesn’t hinder other systems or components. The best way to address security architecture solutions throughout the enterprise is to establish proper governance and controls/solutions within and around key business and technology resources and services. Taking in consideration of cost, level of protection and effect on end-user/system to design a security solution, including maintenance steps.
References:
Bernard, S. (2020). An Introduction to Holistic Enterprise Architecture: Fourth Edition (4th ed.). AuthorHouse.
Scholtz, T. (2012). Define the Structure and Scope for an Effective Information Security Program. Gartner.
Hi Jonathan,
I agree with you about the security solutions becoming obsolete if they are not governed and maintained on a regular basis. Especially, with the rapid change in the technological landscape and the evolution of the AI, organizations should always stay alert to watch out for new security threats. As you said, every organization should develop a security solution where a periodic review should be conducted to see how good the current solution is and what changes does it needs to maintain the security standards and protect them from any vulnerabilities.
Sukesh
Hi Jonathan,
Nice summary of key security architecture elements. What do you think is a good solution to keeping up with an ever expanding attack surface? That seems to be a very relevant question in cyber security today.
Jonathan,
Your post on the key elements of security architecture was very informative and insightful. I appreciate the depth you’ve gone into each key area: Information Security, Personnel, Operational Security, and Physical Protection. It’s critical to remember that these facets don’t exist in isolation but function synergistically within the broader context of enterprise architecture.
I agree with your points on the challenges of integrating security architecture with these four elements and EA together. Technology is indeed a fast-paced and rapidly evolving field. Keeping up with technological advancements while maintaining a robust and effective security architecture is challenging. You’ve made an interesting point about how these advancements also inadvertently create new attack surfaces, potentially rendering some security solutions obsolete.
Insider threats are indeed a significant risk factor. I believe your point emphasizes the necessity of not just relying on technological measures but also adopting a comprehensive, holistic approach to personnel security that includes rigorous vetting procedures, ongoing awareness training, and strict access controls.
Your point about compatibility issues is something I hadn’t considered before. It’s important to ensure that security measures don’t interfere with other systems and components. This highlights the need for comprehensive testing and evaluation during the security solutions’ design and implementation phases.
Your assertion about establishing proper governance and controls within and around key business and technology resources aligns perfectly with Bernard’s holistic approach to enterprise architecture. We also need to be mindful of the cost, level of protection, and effect on end-users/systems while designing these solutions.
I’d be interested to hear more about your thoughts on how organizations can balance the necessity of stringent security protocols and the need for ease of use and accessibility for end-users.
Great job and keep up the good work!