- Foreword
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1 Why Architecture Matters More Than Ever
- 1.2 What This Book Covers
- 1.3 How to Read This Book
- 1.4 Example: A Beginner Thinking Like an Architect
- 1.5 What This Book Is Not
- 2 Foundations of Cybersecurity Architecture
- 2.1 What Security Tries to Protect: The CIA Triad
- 2.2 Who Does What: The AAA Model
- 2.3 Risk: The Driver of Security Decisions
- 2.4 Threats, Vulnerabilities, Exploits, and Controls
- 2.5 Types of Security Controls
- 2.6 Core Security Design Principles
- 2.7. Defense in Depth and Minimizing Attack Surface
- 2.8 Security by Design and Security by Default
- 2.9 Example Scenario: Applying Foundations to a New Service
- 2.10 Summary
- 2.11 Summary — Key Architectural Takeaways
- 3 Governance, Risk & Compliance Architecture
- 3.1 Introduction: The Role of Governance in Architecture
- 3.2 Governance Architecture: Who Decides, and How?
- 3.3 Risk Management Architecture: Turning Uncertainty into Decisions
- 3.4 Compliance Architecture: Aligning with External Expectations
- 3.5 Policy Architecture: From Principles to Operating Rules
- 3.6 Control Mapping: Connecting Frameworks to Real Designs
- 3.7 GRC Components at a Glance
- 3.8 Mini Case: Preparing for an ISO 27001 Audit
- 3.9 Summary
- 3.10 Summary — Key Architectural Takeaways
- 4 Threat Modeling Fundamentals
- 4.1 Why Threat Modeling Matters for Architecture
- 4.2 The Four Essential Questions of Threat Modeling
- 4.3 Describing Systems with Data Flow Diagrams
- 4.4 STRIDE: A Structured Way to Ask “What Can Go Wrong?”
- 4.5 Using MITRE ATT&CK to Ground Your Model in Reality
- 4.6 From Threats to Risks to Controls
- 4.7 A Mini Case Study: Threat Modeling a Corporate Login System
- 4.8 Integrating Threat Modeling into the Development Lifecycle
- 4.9 Key Insight and Practical Takeaways
- 4.10 Summary
- 4.11 Summary — Key Architectural Takeaways
- 5 Data Security and Governance Architecture
- 5.1 Why Data-Centric Thinking Matters
- 5.2 Data Classification: Giving Data a Common Language
- 5.3 Mapping Data Flows: Where Data Lives and How It Moves
- 5.4 Controlling Access to Data: From Applications to Storage
- 5.5 Technical Protections: Encryption, Tokenization, and Masking
- 5.6 Governance: Roles, Lifecycle, and Third Parties
- 5.7 Shadow Data and Unmanaged Copies
- 5.8 Mini Case Study: Bringing Order to Customer Data
- 5.9 Summary
- 5.10 Summary — Key Architectural Takeaways
- 6 Identity and Access Architecture
- 6.1 Identity as the New Perimeter
- 6.2 Identity Fundamentals in Architecture
- 6.3 Representing Identities: Users, Devices, and Services
- 6.4 Authentication: Proving Who You Are
- 6.5 Authorization: Deciding What You Can Do
- 6.6 Identity Governance and Lifecycle Management
- 6.7 Privileged Access Management (PAM)
- 6.8 Zero Trust and Conditional Access
- 6.9 Mini Case Study: Hardening Identity for a Growing Organization
- 6.10 Summary
- 6.11 Summary — Key Architectural Takeaways
- 7 Network Security Architecture
- 7.1 From Perimeter Walls to Pathways
- 7.2 Trust Zones and Traffic Directions
- 7.3 Segmentation: Keeping Problems Small
- 7.4 Network Controls in Context
- 7.5 Remote Access: Re-thinking Trust for Off-Site Users
- 7.6 Telemetry: Making the Network Observable
- 7.7 Cloud Network Security: Familiar Goals, New Mechanics
- 7.8 Mini Case Study: How Segmentation Changes an Incident
- 7.9 Summary
- 7.10 Summary — Key Architectural Takeaways
- 8 Endpoint and Device Security Architecture
- 8.1 Why Endpoint Security Is Architecturally Critical
- 8.2 The Endpoint Attack Lifecycle
- 8.3 Device Identity and Enrollment
- 8.4 Hardening Endpoints: Baselines and Configuration as Code
- 8.5 Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
- 8.6 Vulnerability and Patch Management on Endpoints
- 8.7 Application Control and Local Privilege Management
- 8.8 Endpoints in a Zero Trust Model
- 8.9 Mini Case Study: Hardening a Distributed Workforce
- 8.10 Summary
- 8.11 Summary — Key Architectural Takeaways
- 9 Cloud Security Architecture
- 9.1 The Shared Responsibility Model
- 9.2 Identity as the Cloud Control Plane
- 9.3 Cloud Network Architecture
- 9.4 Data Protection in the Cloud
- 9.5 Logging, Telemetry, and Security Posture in the Cloud
- 9.6 Common Cloud Security Pitfalls
- 9.7 Mini Case Study: Designing a Cloud Landing Zone
- 9.8 Summary
- 9.9 Summary — Key Architectural Takeaways
- 10 Application and API Security Architecture
- 10.1 Why Application and API Security Is an Architectural Concern
- 10.2 Applying Security Design Principles to Software
- 10.3 Web Application Threats Through an Architectural Lens
- 10.4 APIs as First-Class Interfaces
- 10.5 Application Architecture Patterns and Their Impact
- 10.6 Secure Coding, Testing, and DevSecOps
- 10.7 Observability and Application-Level Logging
- 10.8 Mini Case Study: Securing an Internal API Platform
- 10.9 Summary
- 10.10 Summary — Key Architectural Takeaways
- 11 Monitoring, Detection, and Security Operations Architecture
- 11.1 From “Collect All Logs” to Detection Architecture
- 11.2 The Role of Monitoring and Detection in Frameworks
- 11.3 Telemetry Across the Architecture
- 11.4 SIEM, SOAR, and Security Operations
- 11.5 Designing Use Cases and Detections
- 11.6 Alert Triage and Response Playbooks
- 11.7 Designing for Observability by Default
- 11.8 Mini Case Study: Catching Lateral Movement Early
- 11.9 Summary
- 11.10 Summary — Key Architectural Takeaways
- 12 Zero Trust and Integrated Security Architecture
- 12.1 What Zero Trust Really Means
- 12.2 Core Principles of Zero Trust Architecture
- 12.3 Zero Trust in NIST SP 800-207
- 12.4 Integrating the Layers: Zero Trust as a Lens
- 12.5 Identity, Devices, and Context-Aware Access
- 12.6 Network and Micro-Segmentation in a Zero Trust Model
- 12.7 Applications, Data, and Fine-Grained Authorization
- 12.8 Monitoring, Signals, and Adaptive Response
- 12.9 Mini Roadmap: Moving Toward Zero Trust Incrementally
- 12.10 Mini Case Study: Evolving from Perimeter to Zero Trust
- 12.11 Summary
- 12.12 Summary — Key Architectural Takeaways
- 13 Enterprise Security Architecture and Governance
- 13.1 From Point Solutions to Enterprise Architecture
- 13.2 Reference Models and Frameworks as Anchors
- 13.3 Security Principles, Policies, and Standards
- 13.4 Architecture Review and Decision Processes
- 13.5 Security Governance: Roles, Responsibilities, and Risk
- 13.6 Aligning Architecture with Compliance and Regulation
- 13.7 Example: Creating an Enterprise Security Architecture Blueprint
- 13.8 Mini Case Study: Governance Failure During a Cloud Migration
- 13.9 Chapter Summary
- 13.10 Summary — Key Architectural Takeaways
- 14 DevSecOps and Secure Delivery Pipelines: Building Security Into the Software Factory
- 14.1 Why Pipelines Are a High-Value Target
- 14.2 The Architectural Role of DevSecOps
- 14.3 Identity in Development and Pipeline Environments
- 14.4 Code Integrity and Build Security
- 14.5 Secrets Management in CI/CD
- 14.6 Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and Guardrails
- 14.7 Observability in the Pipeline
- 14.8 Mini Case Study: Compromise Through a Developer Workstation
- 14.9 Summary
- 14.10 Summary — Key Architectural Takeaways
- 15 Security Architecture Patterns & Blueprints
- 15.1 Why Patterns Matter
- 15.2 A Map of Common Security Architecture Patterns
- 15.3 Hub-and-Spoke Network Pattern
- 15.4 Microsegmentation Pattern
- 15.5 Identity Federation Pattern
- 15.6 API Gateway Pattern
- 15.7 Zero Trust as a Composed Pattern
- 15.8 Mini Case: Applying Patterns to a New SaaS Platform
- 15.9 Summary
- 15.10 Summary — Key Architectural Takeaways
- 16 Building Enterprise Architecture Documentation
- 16.1 Documentation as Part of Architecture, Not an Afterthought
- 16.2 The Core Documentation Artifacts
- 16.3 High-Level Architecture (HLA) Diagrams
- 16.4 Low-Level Architecture (LLA) Diagrams
- 16.5 Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs)
- 16.6 Security Control Mapping
- 16.7 Architecture Decision Records (ADRs)
- 16.8 Operational Documentation
- 16.9 Common Documentation Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
- 16.10 Mini Case: Documenting a Cloud Migration
- 16.11 Summary
- 16.12 Summary — Key Architectural Takeaways
- 17 Advanced Security Architecture Concepts
- 17.1 Introduction: Moving Beyond the Basics
- 17.2 Context-Aware Access
- 17.3 Resilience Architecture
- 17.4 Confidential Computing and Hardware Roots of Trust
- 17.5 Cross-Cloud Security Architecture
- 17.6 Threat-Informed Defense Using MITRE ATT&CK
- 17.7 A Glimpse at Secure Multi-Party Computation (SMPC)
- 17.8 Overview Table: Advanced Concepts at a Glance
- 17.9 Mini Case: Applying Advanced Concepts to a Financial System
- 17.10 Summary
- 17.11 Summary — Key Architectural Takeaways
- 18 Implementation Roadmap for Cybersecurity Architecture
- 18.1 From “We Need Security” to “We Have a Plan”
- 18.2 Phase 1 — Assess the Current State
- 18.3 Phase 2 — Define a Target Architecture (Fit for You)
- 18.4 Phase 3 — Prioritize and Sequence Improvements
- 18.5 Phase 4 — Establish Governance and Ownership
- 18.6 Phase 5 — Measure, Adapt, and Communicate
- 18.7 Mini Case Study: A Mid-Sized Organization’s First Roadmap
- 18.8 Summary
- 18.9 Summary — Key Architectural Takeaways
- 19 Case Studies in Cybersecurity Architecture
- 19.1 Case Study 1 — Cloud-Native Startup Growing Up
- 19.2 Case Study 2 — Regulated Enterprise Migrating to Cloud
- 19.3 Case Study 3 — Public-Sector Organization Embracing Zero Trust
- 19.4 Cross-Case Themes and Lessons
- 19.5 Summary
- 19.6 Summary — Key Architectural Takeaways
- 20 Conclusion: Becoming a Security Architect in Practice
- 20.1 The Big Picture: What You’ve Built
- 20.2 Core Habits of Effective Security Architects
- 20.3 Common Pitfalls for Beginners
- 20.4 Building Your Skills Beyond This Book
- 20.5 How to Start Applying This Tomorrow
- 20.6 Final Thoughts
- 20.7 Summary — Key Architectural Takeaways
- Appendix — Glossary, Reference Tables, and Checklists
- 1. Glossary of Key Terms
- 2. Reference Tables
- 3. Quick Assessment Checklist
- 4. Starter Implementation Checklist
- 5. How to Use This Appendix
Cybersecurity Architecture 101 (For beginners)
Cybersecurity Architecture 101 (For Beginners) is a practical, beginner friendly guide to how modern security is actually designed. Starting from CIA, risk, and threat modeling, it walks you through identity, networks, endpoints, cloud, applications, data, Zero Trust, DevSecOps, governance, and real world roadmaps you can apply in your own environment.
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About
About the Book
Cybersecurity Architecture 101 (For Beginners) is a practical, standards based guide for people who need to understand how modern security is actually designed, not just which tools to buy. It assumes little or no prior background and walks you step by step from core concepts to real world architectural decisions.
The book starts with foundations: the CIA triad, AAA, risk, secure design principles, and threat modeling. From there, it dives into the major architectural domains: identity and access, networks, endpoints, cloud, applications and APIs, and data security. In each domain you learn how the layer works, how it typically fails, and how to design it in a more resilient way.
You then see how governance, risk and compliance, Zero Trust, and enterprise security architecture sit above the technical layers and keep many independent decisions aligned. Dedicated chapters on DevSecOps and secure delivery pipelines, security patterns and blueprints, documentation, and implementation roadmaps show how to turn ideas into repeatable practice that teams can actually follow.
Throughout, the book is grounded in real frameworks and standards such as NIST CSF, NIST SP 800-53, NIST 800-207, NIST SSDF, ISO 27001 and 27002, CIS Controls, MITRE ATT&CK, NIS2, and CSA guidance. Each chapter combines narrative explanations, tables, examples, and mini case studies so you can see how architecture plays out in realistic environments.
Whether you are a security beginner, an engineer moving toward an architect role, or a leader who needs to understand how the pieces fit together, this book gives you a clear mental model of cybersecurity architecture and a concrete path to start applying it in your own organization.
Author
About the Author
Søren Jensen
Søren is a cybersecurity specialist with over 20 years of experience from both large consulting environments and dedicated cyber teams. His daily work spans incident response, vulnerability and exposure management, risk assessment, and the design and implementation of security services for both private and public sector organizations.
He has extensive hands-on experience applying frameworks such as ISO 27001/27002 and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, as well as adapting to modern regulatory requirements like NIS2. In his work, he focuses on turning abstract best practices into concrete, actionable improvements that fit real-world constraints: legacy systems, limited resources, and constantly evolving threats.
As an author, Søren aims to make cybersecurity architecture and risk management understandable and practical for readers who may have little or no technical background. His writing combines clear explanations with practical examples, checklists, and step-by-step guidance, helping beginners and decision-makers move from “we know we should do something” to “we know what to do – and how to start.”
Contents
Table of Contents
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