CyberSecurity FAQ - What is a cybersecurity architecture?
Alternative FAQ Phrasings: What is a cybersecurity architecture? | What is a cyber security architecture? | What is a network security architecture? | What is a cyber architecture?
Definition: cybersecurity architecture (a.k.a. cyber security architecture, network security architecture, or cyber architecture for short) specifies the organizational structure, functional behavior, standards, and policies of a computer network that includes both network and security features. The collective features of a cybersecurity architecture include, but are not limited to, the following:
Network Elements
- network nodes (computers, NICs, repeaters, hubs, bridges, switches, routers, modems, gateways, etc.)
- network communication protocols (TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, FTP, HTTP, HTTPS, IMAP, etc.)
- network connections between nodes using specific protocols
- network topologies among nodes (point-to-point, bus, star, ring or circular, mesh, tree, daisy chain, hybrid)
Security Elements
- cybersecurity devices (firewalls, Intrusion Detection/Protection Systems [IDS/IPS], encryption/decryption devices, etc.)
- cybersecurity software (Anti-Virus (AV) software, spamware software, anti-malware software, etc.)
- secure network communication protocols (TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, FTP, HTTP, HTTPS, IMAP, etc.)
- strong encryption techniques (end-to-end encryption, zero-knowledge privacy, blockchain, etc.)
Security Frameworks & Standards
- cybersecurity framework standards (NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) SP 800-37, DoD Instruction 8510.01, ISO IEC 27000-Series)
- technology standards for cybersecurity software choices
Security Policies & Procedures
- security policies and procedures that are customized and enforced for your organization and/or project.
Ideally, a cybersecurity architecture should be definable and simulatable using an industry-standard architecture modeling language (e.g., SysML, UML2).
It is sometimes useful to consider a cybersecurity architecture to be a specialization of computer network architecture that emphasizes security features and capabilities. To learn more about the differences between cybersecurity architecture and network architecture, please see the following Cybersecurity FAQ:
To learn more about the purpose of a cybersecurity architecture, please see the following Cybersecurity FAQ:
HOW TO SPECIFY A CYBERSECURITY ARCHITECTURE
To learn more about how to specify cybersecurity architectures, please see the following Cybersecurity FAQs:
- CyberSecurity FAQ - How to specify a cybersecurity architecture?
- CyberSecurity FAQ - What are the essential elements of cybersecurity architecture?
- CyberSecurity FAQ - What are the best practices for specifying cybersecurity architectures?
- CyberSecurity FAQ - How to become a cybersecurity architect?
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CYBERSECURITY ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN HANDS-ON WORKSHOP TRAINING OPTIONS
If you seek professional cybersecurity architecture hands-on training that emphasizes robust architecture modeling languages (UML2, SysML, CyberML), strong cyptographic techniques, popular architecture modeling tools (Sparx EA, MagicDraw/Cameo, Rhapsody), and numerous practice exercises, check out PivotPoint's Essential Cybersecurity Architecture + CyberML Applied hands-on training workshops.
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