Architecture Documentation for Security Architects
Use security principles, NFRs, constraints, risk registers, and failure scenarios to document security architecture and compliance.
Security architects protect systems and data through secure design, threat modelling, and compliance. Content Foundry provides structured blocks for security documentation that supports audits and reviews.
Key Blocks for Security Architects
Principle
Security principles like zero trust
NFR
Security requirements with measures
Constraint
Compliance and regulatory constraints
Risk Register
Security risks with threat assessments
Failure Scenario
Security incident scenarios
Security Principles
Document security guiding principles:
| Principle | Description |
|---|---|
| Zero Trust | Never trust, always verify |
| Defence in Depth | Multiple layers of security controls |
| Least Privilege | Minimum necessary access |
| Secure by Default | Secure configuration out of the box |
| Fail Secure | Default to deny on failure |
Security NFRs
Document measurable security requirements:
Compliance Constraints
Document regulatory requirements:
GDPR
Data protection and privacy
SOC 2
Security, availability, confidentiality
HIPAA
Healthcare data protection
PCI DSS
Payment card security
ISO 27001
Information security management
Security Risk Registers
Document security-specific risks:
| Risk Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Threat Assessment | Likelihood and impact of threats |
| Vulnerability Risks | Known vulnerabilities in dependencies |
| Access Risks | Excessive permissions, orphaned accounts |
| Third-party Risks | Vendor and supply chain risks |
Security Incident Scenarios
Document security failure modes:
Credential Leak
API key or password exposed
Unauthorised Access
Access without proper authorisation
Data Breach
Sensitive data exfiltrated
DDoS Attack
Service overwhelmed by traffic
Malware Infection
System compromised by malware
Authentication Flow Documentation
Document security flows with diagrams: