· Security Architecture · 4 min read
How Security Architecture Empowers Innovation: Why Architecture Matters
Architecture helps us see the whole picture and create barriers and friction across the entire environment. Good security attracts customers, bad security attracts attackers.
Architecture + Standards = Confident Customers
Architecture helps us see the whole picture and create barriers and friction across the entire environment. Security is crucial for companies of all sizes and we have layers of controls for all assets.
As we continue to mature our architecture, we will be aligning our patterns (architecture) with known standards. This will provide a blueprint on how we can advertise our security practices to the rest of the industry.
When we take our architecture and align to standards such as NIST / CIS / SOC-2 / FedRAMP, we get a blueprint on how we can advertise our security standards to our customers.
The Jaguar Land Rover Incident
When we look at the Jaguar Land Rover ongoing incident, what will their downstreams be asking? I would ask, how does your architecture play out like from JaguarLandRover, in what are the standards that you align to? All with the same lens, how do we protect ourselves, from restaurant outages, in order to safeguard our business and the almost 100,000 employees that worked at JLR Suppliers this could potentially be impacted.
Bad Security Attracts Attackers / Good Security Attracts Customers
Real incidents show two sides of the same coin: weak or exposed controls make organizations attractive targets, while demonstrably strong security can win the business of top companies and earn significant market value growth.
As we speak, Jaguar Land Rover is trying to recover from a massive cyber attack. The attack resulted in a complete suspension of production activities, with no cars being produced since the attack began on Sept. 1st. Notably, this attack only had a significant effect on Jaguar Land Rover. It is the downstream suppliers that are at risk of revenue loss, and the potential of closing shop.
What is Architecture and How Does it Relate to Security?
Consider what looks like to build a bank. Where is the vault located, Where are the doors and windows? What is the layout of items of blind spots, and moving quickly in / out?
Architecture is how we think of how are systems are protected, how they communicate, and how people access them.
One analogy that has been used is the castle:
The Castle Defense System:
- Inner Walls - Core protection for most valuable assets
- Moat - Natural barrier and deterrent
- Watch Towers - Monitoring and visibility
- High Hard Walls - Strong perimeter defense
- Guards Check Identity - Authentication and verification
- Limited Entry Points - Controlled access
The Modern Challenge
The challenge is much of our assets no longer live within the castle. They live in Office 365, GCP, Workday, and all of the products we subscribe to. Attackers choose the path of least cost/convenience.
Security is at the Heart of Business Continuity
Security is at the heart of business continuity. Knowing that you will be operational tomorrow and the next day, is what our Customers want to know. A steady stream of inventory, built by a company that isn’t making any serious operational mis-steps or gambles on as plans security incidents do not happen.
Key Architecture Principles
1. Sensitive Data Protection & Monitoring
- Aligned business drives over public internet, ensuring data security, work
- Security perimeter and monitoring process
2. Modernize Security Hygiene
- Microsoft Defender
- Secure Web Gateway
3. Protect Accounts
- MFA / Biometrics
- Secure Virtual Network Access
4. Defenders Must Focus On:
- Prevention
- Rapid response to attacks
- Continuously testing & monitoring
Building Architecture That Matters
When building security architecture, we must ask:
- Where is the vault located? (Where are our most critical assets?)
- Where are the doors and windows? (What are our entry points?)
- What is the layout? (How do systems communicate?)
- Where are the blind spots? (What lacks visibility?)
- How do we move quickly? (Incident response and recovery)
Architecture + Standards = Blueprint for Success
By aligning our security architecture with recognized frameworks:
- NIST - Comprehensive cybersecurity framework
- CIS - Critical security controls
- SOC-2 - Service organization controls
- FedRAMP - Federal risk management
We create a blueprint that:
- Demonstrates security maturity to customers
- Provides clear security posture
- Enables risk-based decision making
- Builds confidence across the supply chain
The Bottom Line
Bad security attracts attackers. Organizations with weak controls become easy targets, leading to production shutdowns, revenue loss, and reputational damage.
Good security attracts customers. Organizations that demonstrate strong security architecture and align with industry standards win business, protect their supply chain, and ensure business continuity.
The choice is clear: invest in architecture and standards now, or pay the price later when attackers come knocking.
How is your organization approaching security architecture? Are you aligning with industry standards? Let’s discuss.
