Sherlocked Security – Secure Architecture Review

Enhance Your System’s Security Posture by Designing Robust, Scalable, and Compliant Architectures

1. Statement of Work (SOW)

Service Name: Secure Architecture Review
Client Type: Enterprises, Financial Institutions, Critical Infrastructure, Healthcare Providers
Service Model: Project-Based Assessment & Advisory
Compliance Alignment: NIST 800-53, ISO/IEC 27001, PCI-DSS, HIPAA, CIS Controls

Secure Architecture Review Includes:

Assessment of system, network, and application architectures for security and scalability
Evaluation of threat models and attack vectors
Review of security controls (firewalls, encryption, access controls) in architecture design
Risk analysis and identification of vulnerabilities
Compliance gap analysis and recommendations for remediation
Design recommendations for secure architecture that aligns with industry best practices
Vulnerability mitigation strategies to reduce attack surface
Redundancy and failover design to ensure availability and business continuity

2. Our Approach

[Initial Discovery] → [Architecture Mapping] → [Risk Assessment] → [Compliance Review] → [Threat Modeling] → [Improvement Planning] → [Recommendations & Reporting]

3. Methodology

Discovery & Information Gathering
- Collect documentation related to existing architecture, including network diagrams, application design, security policies, and risk assessments.
Architecture Mapping
- Create an in-depth map of the architecture, including system and network components, dependencies, and communication flows.
Threat Modeling
- Analyze the architecture for potential threats, including external, internal, and advanced persistent threats (APTs).
Security Control Evaluation
- Review the implementation and effectiveness of security controls such as encryption, access management, intrusion detection, firewalls, and multi-factor authentication.
Compliance Assessment
- Evaluate the design against applicable compliance frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, HIPAA) and regulatory requirements.
Vulnerability Analysis
- Assess potential vulnerabilities in the architecture, such as misconfigurations, single points of failure, and weaknesses in controls or network design.
Recommendations & Improvement Plan
- Provide prioritized recommendations for enhancing security posture, improving resilience, and aligning with compliance standards.

4. Deliverables to the Client

Architecture Assessment Report: A detailed review of the current architecture, security posture, and identified risks.
Threat Model Analysis: Visual representation of potential threat vectors and attack surfaces.
Security Controls Evaluation: Summary of evaluated security controls and their effectiveness.
Compliance Gap Report: Identification of non-conformities with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
Risk Mitigation Plan: Actionable steps for addressing identified vulnerabilities and improving security posture.
Executive Summary: A high-level overview of findings, risks, and recommended changes tailored for senior leadership.

5. What We Need from You (Client Requirements)

Architecture Documentation: Current system and network architecture diagrams, including application layers, communication flows, and interdependencies.
Risk Assessments: Previous or ongoing risk assessments, including threat models and identified vulnerabilities.
Security Policies: Documentation of existing security controls, policies, and procedures.
Compliance Requirements: Information on relevant regulatory or industry standards that the architecture must comply with.
Access to Key Stakeholders: Availability of system architects, security teams, and business leaders for interviews and clarification.

6. Tools & Technology Stack

Architecture & Risk Assessment:
- Microsoft Threat Modeling Tool, OWASP Threat Dragon, Attack Tree Models
Security Review:
- Tenable Nessus, Qualys, OpenVAS, Rapid7 Nexpose
Compliance Assessment:
- Tenable.sc, NIST CSF Tools, CIS-CAT, Vanta
Network & System Mapping:
- Lucidchart, Draw.io, SolarWinds Network Topology Mapper

7. Engagement Lifecycle

Kickoff & Scoping: Initial project meeting, collection of architecture and security documentation, and definition of review objectives.
Architecture Mapping & Review: Mapping and analysis of current systems, network topology, and interdependencies.
Threat Modeling & Risk Assessment: Identifying potential vulnerabilities, attack vectors, and risks within the architecture.
Compliance Review: Evaluate the architecture against industry standards and regulatory frameworks.
Report Generation: Consolidate findings into a comprehensive report with recommendations for improvement.
Executive Presentation: Present findings and recommendations to senior management for decision-making.

8. Why Sherlocked Security?

Feature	Sherlocked Advantage
Comprehensive Architecture Review	Thorough review of system, network, and application architectures
Threat-Centric Approach	Focus on identifying potential attack vectors and mitigating risks
Compliance Expertise	In-depth understanding of regulatory standards and frameworks
Actionable Recommendations	Clear, prioritized steps to improve security, resilience, and compliance
Experienced Analysts	Expert consultants with deep knowledge of secure design principles

9. Real-World Case Studies

Secure Architecture for Healthcare

Client: A large healthcare provider with patient data in cloud and on-prem systems.
Challenge: Vulnerable design with weak access controls, risk of data exposure, and non-compliance with HIPAA.
Solution: Designed a more secure architecture with segmented networks, data encryption, and stricter access controls.
Outcome: Improved security posture, reduced risk of data exposure, and ensured HIPAA compliance.

Financial Services Architecture Review

Client: A global financial institution looking to improve resilience and security across trading platforms.
Challenge: Identified single points of failure and inadequate encryption protocols in trading systems.
Solution: Redesigned the architecture with redundant systems, upgraded encryption methods, and enhanced access controls.
Outcome: Increased uptime and security, significantly reducing the risk of data breaches and downtime during market hours.

10. SOP – Standard Operating Procedure

Documentation Collection: Gather architecture diagrams, security policies, and previous risk assessments.
Architecture Mapping: Build detailed maps of network topology and system dependencies.
Threat Analysis: Identify potential attack vectors and prioritize risks based on severity and impact.
Compliance Review: Evaluate the architecture for compliance with applicable industry standards and regulations.
Security Control Evaluation: Assess existing security controls for effectiveness and gaps.
Reporting: Generate a comprehensive report detailing findings, risks, and improvement recommendations.
Executive Review: Present the report and strategic recommendations to senior management.

11. Readiness Checklist

1. Pre-Engagement Preparation

[ ] Updated network and system architecture diagrams
[ ] Current risk assessments and security posture reports
[ ] Security policies and compliance documentation
[ ] Access to stakeholders for interviews and clarifications

2. During Engagement

[ ] Perform architecture mapping and identify critical assets
[ ] Conduct threat modeling for potential attack vectors
[ ] Review security controls in place (firewalls, encryption, access management)
[ ] Evaluate compliance with applicable frameworks and standards

3. Post-Review Actions

[ ] Deliver architecture review and risk mitigation report
[ ] Present findings to the executive team
[ ] Provide prioritized improvement recommendations
[ ] Assist in remediation planning and implementation
[ ] Provide guidance for ongoing security audits and improvements

Secure Architecture Review