Solution Architecture
| Version | Modified By | Approver | Date | Changes made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V1.0 | Daniel McAulay | Daniel McAulay | 17/09/2024 | Document Creation |
4. Solution Architecture
The Solution Architecture section provides a detailed overview of how Azure Boards will be implemented and integrated into the existing infrastructure. This section will describe how the different components of Azure Boards interact with each other and how they integrate with the tools and systems currently in use by the various sub-teams. The goal is to create a cohesive, efficient, and scalable architecture that supports the cybersecurity objectives of the organization.
4.1 Overview of the Architecture
The architecture of the Azure Boards implementation is designed to provide a centralized platform for managing tasks, tracking progress, and facilitating collaboration across all sub-teams. Azure Boards will serve as the backbone of project management, ensuring that all teams can work cohesively while maintaining visibility into their specific responsibilities.
Each sub-team---SecDevOps, Blue Team, Infrastructure, Red Team, and GRC---will have dedicated area paths within Azure Boards, allowing them to manage their workflows independently while still being part of the larger organizational structure. The architecture is designed to be modular, enabling easy customization and scalability as the organization grows or as team requirements change.
4.2 Integration with Existing Tools
While Azure Boards will be the primary platform for task management, it will also be integrated with several key tools that are already in use at Redback Operations. These integrations will ensure seamless workflows and enhance the capabilities of Azure Boards.
4.2.1 GitHub Integration
Azure Boards will be integrated with GitHub, allowing the SecDevOps and Red Teams to link work items with specific commits, branches, and pull requests. This integration will facilitate code reviews, track development progress, and ensure that all code changes are tied to specific tasks or user stories.
4.2.2 SonarQube Integration
For the SecDevOps team, SonarQube can be integrated with Azure Boards to automate code quality inspections. This integration will allow security checks to be part of the continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipeline, with results being tracked as work items in Azure Boards.
4.2.3 Nagios Integration
The Infrastructure team can use Nagios for system monitoring, with alerts and notifications being integrated into Azure Boards. This setup will ensure that any issues detected by Nagios are automatically logged as work items, allowing the team to respond quickly to system outages or performance degradation.
4.2.4 SIEM Tools Integration
The Blue Team can integrate Azure Boards with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools. This integration will ensure that security incidents detected by the SIEM tools are logged as work items in Azure Boards, allowing the Blue Team to manage and track the incident response process effectively.
4.3 Data Flow and Interaction
The data flow within the Azure Boards architecture is designed to be straightforward and efficient, ensuring that all teams can access the information they need while maintaining clear boundaries between different areas of responsibility.
4.3.1 Work Item Management
All tasks, user stories, and other work items will be created, managed, and tracked within Azure Boards. Each work item will be associated with a specific area path, ensuring that it is visible only to the relevant team. Work items can be linked to specific commits, pull requests, or other external data sources as needed.
4.3.2 Boards and Sprints
Each team will have its own board within Azure Boards, configured to reflect its specific workflow. Work items will move through the board as tasks progress, providing a visual representation of the team's work. Sprints will be used to manage work within specific timeframes, with burndown charts and other tools providing real-time insights into progress.
4.3.3 Notifications and Alerts
Azure Boards will be configured to send notifications and alerts to team members based on specific triggers, such as the creation of a new work item, the movement of a task to a different stage, or the detection of a security incident. These notifications will ensure that team members are always aware of important developments.
4.3.4 Reporting and Dashboards
Data from Azure Boards will be used to generate reports and dashboards that provide insights into team performance, project progress, and overall security posture. These reports can be customized to meet the needs of different stakeholders, ensuring that everyone has the information they need to make informed decisions.
4.4 Scalability and Flexibility
The architecture of the Azure Boards implementation is designed to be both scalable and flexible, allowing Redback Operations to adapt to changing requirements over time.
As the organization grows, new teams can be added to Azure Boards by creating additional area paths and configuring new boards. The architecture supports the addition of new work item types, workflows, and integrations as needed, ensuring that Azure Boards can continue to meet the organization's needs.
The modular design of the architecture also allows for easy customization of boards, workflows, and work item types. Teams can adjust their configurations based on evolving requirements, without affecting other teams or disrupting ongoing work.
4.5 Security Considerations
Given the sensitive nature of the work carried out by the Cyber Security Team, security is a key consideration in the design of the Azure Boards architecture.
4.5.1 Access Control
Access to Azure Boards will be tightly controlled, with permissions configured to ensure that team members can only view and interact with work items relevant to their responsibilities. This will be managed through role-based access control (RBAC), with different roles assigned based on team membership and job function.
4.5.2 Data Protection
All data within Azure Boards will be protected by encryption, both at rest and in transit. Integration with other tools will be secured through encrypted communication channels, and sensitive information (such as credentials or personal data) will be handled in accordance with Redback Operations' data protection policies.
4.5.3 Audit and Compliance
Azure Boards will be configured to provide audit logs that track all significant actions, such as the creation or modification of work items, changes to access permissions, and integration with external tools. These logs will be used to ensure compliance with internal and regulatory requirements.