Security Guide

Security First

At 18F, security isn't just a checkbox—it's fundamental to everything we build. We integrate security from day one, ensuring our services protect user data and maintain public trust.

Core Principles

Defense in Depth

• Multiple layers of security controls
• Assume breach mentality
• Protect against various threat vectors
• Regular security assessments

Secure by Design

• Security integrated from start
• Threat modeling early
• Regular security reviews
• Automated security testing

Compliance First

• Meet federal requirements
• Follow NIST guidelines
• Document controls
• Regular audits

Security Practices

1. Authentication

   • Strong password policies
   • Multi-factor authentication
   • Session management
   • Access logging

2. Authorization

   • Role-based access control
   • Principle of least privilege
   • Regular access reviews
   • Fine-grained permissions

3. Data Protection

   • Encryption at rest
   • Encryption in transit
   • Secure key management
   • Data classification

💡 Security Tip

Always assume your system will be compromised. Design your security controls to detect and respond to breaches, not just prevent them.

Security Tools

Monitoring

• Security logging
• Intrusion detection
• Vulnerability scanning
• Compliance monitoring

Response

• Incident response plan
• Security playbooks
• Communication plans
• Recovery procedures

Best Practices

Security Culture

• Regular security training
• Automated security testing
• Third-party assessments
• Security documentation
• Continuous monitoring