Security Best Practices ======================= Ferrocodex is designed with security as a core principle. This guide covers security features and best practices for protecting your industrial configurations. .. contents:: Table of Contents :local: :depth: 2 Security Architecture --------------------- Core Security Features ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ * **AES-256 Encryption**: All data encrypted at rest * **Bcrypt Password Hashing**: Industry-standard password protection * **Identity Vault**: Secure credential storage with rotation tracking * **Role-Based Access Control**: Granular permission system * **Comprehensive Audit Trail**: Immutable activity logging * **Session Management**: Secure token-based authentication * **Input Validation**: Protection against injection attacks * **Asset Naming Security** (v0.5.0): Cybersecurity-compliant naming enforcement * **File Integrity Verification** (v0.5.0): SHA-256 checksums for all uploads * **Metadata Validation** (v0.5.0): JSON schema validation for custom fields Data Protection ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Encryption at Rest:** * Database encrypted with AES-256 * Master password protects encryption keys * Configuration files encrypted before storage * Automatic encryption for all sensitive data **Encryption in Transit:** * Internal IPC communications secured * No network transmission in offline mode * Export files can be encrypted * Secure key derivation functions Access Control -------------- User Roles ^^^^^^^^^^ **Administrator Role:** * Create and manage users * View all audit logs * System configuration * Import/export capabilities * Access all assets and configurations **Engineer Role:** * Manage assets and configurations * Create branches * View own audit entries * Cannot manage users * Cannot access system settings Password Policies ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Requirements:** * Minimum 8 characters * Must include letters and numbers * No common passwords allowed * Password history enforcement * Forced change on first login **Best Practices:** 1. Use strong, unique passwords 2. Enable password managers 3. Regular password rotation 4. No password sharing 5. Avoid pattern-based passwords Session Security ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ * **Token-based authentication** * **Automatic session timeout** * **Concurrent session limits** * **Session invalidation on logout** * **Activity monitoring** Asset Naming Security (v0.5.0) ------------------------------- Cybersecurity-Compliant Naming ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Ferrocodex v0.5.0 enforces strict naming conventions to prevent security vulnerabilities: **Naming Pattern Requirements:** .. code-block:: regex ^[A-Z0-9][A-Z0-9_-]{2,49}$ **Security Benefits:** * **Path Traversal Prevention**: No ``../`` or special characters * **Command Injection Protection**: No shell metacharacters * **SQL Injection Prevention**: Restricted character set * **Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Prevention**: No HTML/JavaScript characters * **Unicode Attack Prevention**: ASCII-only enforcement **Reserved Name Blocking:** The following Windows reserved names are automatically blocked: * System devices: ``CON``, ``PRN``, ``AUX``, ``NUL`` * Serial ports: ``COM1`` through ``COM9`` * Parallel ports: ``LPT1`` through ``LPT9`` **File Upload Security:** * **Filename Sanitization**: Automatic cleaning of uploaded filenames * **Extension Validation**: Checked against security policies * **Path Component Validation**: No directory traversal sequences * **Length Limits**: Maximum 255 characters enforced * **SHA-256 Verification**: Integrity checking for all uploads Metadata Security (v0.5.0) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Field Validation:** * **Input Sanitization**: All metadata inputs sanitized * **Type Enforcement**: Strict type checking for fields * **Pattern Validation**: Regex patterns for text fields * **Range Validation**: Min/max for numeric fields * **JSON Schema Validation**: Structure validation for complex data **SQL Injection Prevention:** * **Parameterized Queries**: All metadata queries use parameters * **Input Escaping**: Special characters properly escaped * **Type Casting**: Explicit type conversion * **Query Validation**: No dynamic SQL generation **Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) Prevention:** * **Output Encoding**: HTML entity encoding for display * **Content Security Policy**: Strict CSP headers * **Input Filtering**: Remove script tags and events * **Template Sanitization**: Safe rendering of metadata Security Classification System ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Assets can be tagged with security classifications affecting system behavior: **Classification Levels:** 1. **Public**: No restrictions 2. **Internal**: Company-wide access 3. **Confidential**: Department-level access 4. **Secret**: Need-to-know basis 5. **Top Secret**: Maximum security **Classification Enforcement:** * **Search Filtering**: Results filtered by user clearance * **Export Restrictions**: Higher classifications require approval * **Audit Detail**: More logging for sensitive assets * **Access Control**: Automatic permission adjustment * **Compliance Tracking**: Classification-based reporting Physical Security ----------------- Workstation Security ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 1. **Lock workstations** when unattended 2. **Encrypted hard drives** recommended 3. **Antivirus software** up-to-date 4. **Operating system** patches current 5. **Firewall** enabled Installation Security ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ * Install only from official sources * Verify digital signatures * Restrict installation privileges * Document installation locations * Control application access Operational Security -------------------- Audit Log Management ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Regular Review:** 1. Check failed login attempts 2. Monitor configuration changes 3. Verify user activities 4. Investigate anomalies 5. Export logs for archival **Retention Policies:** * Determine retention requirements * Regular log exports * Secure archive storage * Compliance documentation Backup and Recovery ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Backup Strategy:** 1. **Regular Exports**: Schedule periodic full exports 2. **Secure Storage**: Encrypt backup files 3. **Offsite Copies**: Store backups separately 4. **Test Recovery**: Verify backup integrity 5. **Document Process**: Clear recovery procedures **Recovery Planning:** * Master password recovery process * User account recovery * Configuration restoration * Audit trail preservation * Business continuity planning Network Security ---------------- Air-Gapped Operations ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Ferrocodex is designed for air-gapped environments: * No internet connectivity required * No automatic updates * No telemetry or analytics * Complete offline functionality * Manual update process If Network Connected ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ If using Ferrocodex on connected systems: 1. **Isolate on separate VLAN** 2. **Firewall rules** restricting access 3. **No internet access** from application 4. **Monitor network activity** 5. **Regular security scans** Identity Vault Security ----------------------- The Identity Vault provides defense-in-depth security for credential management with multiple layers of protection. Vault Encryption Architecture ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ .. figure:: _static/diagrams/vault-encryption-layers.svg :alt: Multi-layer encryption architecture diagram :align: center :width: 600px *Vault encryption layers showing defense in depth* **Multi-Layer Encryption:** 1. **Vault Creation**: Each vault gets a unique encryption key 2. **Key Derivation**: Keys derived from master password using PBKDF2 3. **Data Encryption**: All secrets encrypted with AES-256-GCM 4. **Double Protection**: Vault data encrypted, then database encrypted **Encryption Details:** * **Algorithm**: AES-256 in GCM mode * **Key Size**: 256-bit encryption keys * **IV Generation**: Unique IV for each encryption operation * **Authentication**: GCM provides built-in authentication * **Key Rotation**: Automatic re-encryption on master password change Password Security Features ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Password Generation:** * Cryptographically secure random generation * Configurable complexity requirements * Entropy calculation and display * No predictable patterns * Unique passwords enforced across vaults **Password Storage:** * Never stored in plaintext * Encrypted immediately on entry * Memory cleared after use * No password logging * Secure clipboard operations **Password History:** * Previous passwords retained encrypted * Prevents reuse across rotations * Configurable history depth * Audit trail for all changes * Compliance reporting support Credential Rotation Security ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Rotation Policies:** 1. **By Asset Criticality**: * Critical Assets: 30-day rotation * Standard Assets: 60-day rotation * Low-Risk Assets: 90-day rotation 2. **Emergency Rotation**: * Immediate rotation capability * Batch rotation for incidents * Documented reason required * Notification system * Audit priority flagging **Compliance Tracking:** * Automated rotation reminders * Overdue password alerts * Compliance dashboard * Export capabilities for audits * Integration with audit system Vault Access Control ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Permission Model:** 1. **Granular Permissions**: * **Read**: View vault contents * **Write**: Modify secrets * **Export**: Include in bundles * **Share**: Grant permissions 2. **Access Patterns**: * Default deny principle * Explicit grant required * No permission inheritance * Time-limited access option **Access Security:** * All access attempts logged * Failed access alerts * Session-based access * No cached credentials * Automatic permission expiry Standalone Credentials Security ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Isolation Features:** * Separate from asset vaults * Category-based organization * Independent access control * Dedicated audit trail * No cross-contamination **Best Practices:** 1. Use categories for access control 2. Regular access reviews 3. Separate production/test credentials 4. Document credential purpose 5. Implement rotation schedules Export and Import Security ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Export Security:** 1. **Vault Data in Exports**: * Optional inclusion * Additional encryption layer * Warning dialogs * Audit logging * Checksum verification 2. **Secure Handling**: * Encrypt export files * Secure transport methods * Limited distribution * Retention policies * Destruction procedures **Import Security:** * Verification before import * Conflict resolution options * Audit trail maintenance * Permission preservation * Rollback capability Security Monitoring ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Vault-Specific Monitoring:** 1. **Access Monitoring**: * Real-time access logs * Unusual access patterns * Failed access attempts * Permission changes * Export operations 2. **Compliance Monitoring**: * Rotation compliance * Password strength * Access reviews * Policy violations * Trend analysis **Alert Conditions:** * Multiple failed access attempts * Unexpected permission grants * Overdue rotations * Weak passwords detected * Unusual export activity Incident Response for Vaults ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Credential Compromise:** 1. **Immediate Actions**: * Identify affected credentials * Emergency rotation * Access review * Alert affected users * Document incident 2. **Investigation**: * Review access logs * Check export history * Analyze permission changes * Identify exposure window * Determine impact scope 3. **Remediation**: * Complete credential rotation * Update access controls * Security awareness training * Policy updates * Monitoring enhancements Best Practices for Vault Security ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Organizational Policies:** 1. **Access Management**: * Principle of least privilege * Regular access reviews * Time-limited permissions * Segregation of duties * Documented approval process 2. **Password Policies**: * Minimum complexity requirements * Rotation schedules by risk * No password sharing * Unique passwords per system * Emergency rotation procedures 3. **Operational Security**: * Regular security training * Incident response drills * Compliance audits * Policy enforcement * Continuous improvement **Technical Controls:** 1. **Preventive**: * Strong encryption * Access controls * Password policies * Input validation * Secure defaults 2. **Detective**: * Comprehensive logging * Real-time monitoring * Anomaly detection * Compliance tracking * Regular audits 3. **Corrective**: * Emergency rotation * Access revocation * Incident response * Recovery procedures * Security updates Incident Response ----------------- Security Incident Types ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ * Unauthorized access attempts * Lost or stolen devices * Compromised passwords * Suspicious audit entries * Data corruption Response Procedures ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 1. **Immediate Actions:** * Disable compromised accounts * Change affected passwords * Review audit logs * Document incident details 2. **Investigation:** * Determine scope of incident * Identify affected assets * Review access patterns * Check configuration integrity 3. **Remediation:** * Reset compromised credentials * Restore from clean backups * Update security measures * User security training 4. **Documentation:** * Complete incident report * Update security procedures * Notify stakeholders * Compliance reporting Compliance and Standards ------------------------ Industry Standards ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Ferrocodex helps meet requirements for: * **NERC CIP**: Critical infrastructure protection * **IEC 62443**: Industrial network security * **ISO 27001**: Information security management * **NIST Framework**: Cybersecurity guidelines Compliance Features ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ * Immutable audit trails * Role-based access control * Encryption standards * Change management * Configuration control Security Checklist ------------------ Daily Tasks ^^^^^^^^^^^ - [ ] Review recent audit logs - [ ] Check active user sessions - [ ] Verify backup completion - [ ] Monitor failed logins - [ ] Check vault access attempts - [ ] Review rotation compliance dashboard Weekly Tasks ^^^^^^^^^^^^ - [ ] Export audit logs - [ ] Review user permissions - [ ] Check configuration changes - [ ] Update security notices - [ ] Review vault permissions - [ ] Check overdue password rotations - [ ] Analyze vault access patterns Monthly Tasks ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ - [ ] Full security audit - [ ] Password policy review - [ ] Backup restoration test - [ ] Security training - [ ] Update documentation - [ ] Vault access review - [ ] Rotation compliance report - [ ] Emergency response drill Security Contact ---------------- For security-related questions or to report security issues during the alpha phase: * Contact your Ferrocodex representative * Use designated security channels * Do not share details publicly * Document all communications Remember: Security is everyone's responsibility. Follow these practices to maintain the integrity of your industrial configuration management system.