Security should not be an afterthought. When you build secure systems, you integrate protection into every layer of the architecture. This reduces the attack surface and makes the system resilient to failure. Here are the core principles of security engineering.
1. Defense in Depth
Do not rely on a single security control. If one layer fails, another should be there to stop the attack.
- Use multiple layers of authentication and authorization.
- Implement network segmentation and firewalls.
- Protect data at rest and in transit.
- Monitor for attacks at every level of the stack.
2. Least Privilege
Give users and services only the access they need to do their job. This limits the damage if a component is compromised.
- Use scoped IAM roles for cloud resources.
- Limit database access to specific tables and actions.
- Avoid using administrative accounts for daily tasks.
- Review and revoke unnecessary permissions regularly.
3. Secure Defaults
Systems should be secure out of the box. Users should have to opt in to less secure configurations.
- Disable unused services and ports by default.
- Use strong password policies and enforce MFA.
- Enable logging and auditing from the start.
- Use secure communication protocols like TLS by default.
4. Fail Securely
When a system fails, it should fail in a way that does not expose sensitive data or bypass security controls.
- Handle errors gracefully without leaking system information.
- Ensure that a crash does not leave a door open for attackers.
- Use robust input validation to prevent exploitation of edge cases.
- Design for resilience so that one component failure does not take down the entire system.
5. Regular Assessment and Testing
Architecture is dynamic. Even a well designed system can become vulnerable over time.
- Perform secure code reviews during development.
- Use application penetration testing to find flaws in implementation.
- Challenge your architecture with red team simulations.
- Stay updated on new vulnerabilities and attack vectors.
Building secure systems is a continuous process of design, implementation, and testing. By following these principles, you can create products that protect your users and your business. Need help with your next project? Contact our security engineering team.