What Is a Security Architecture Assessment?
A Security Architecture Assessment evaluates how well your IT and OT systems are designed to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats — before you spend time or money deploying the wrong solution.
We assess architectural components across:
- Network topology and segmentation
- Cloud and hybrid environments
- SCADA and industrial control systems
- Web apps, APIs, and third-party integrations
- Identity and access pathways
We don’t just focus on theory — we look at how your systems are actually used and advise accordingly.
Key Focus Areas
🧩 Network & Infrastructure
- Internal segmentation and trust boundaries
- DMZ design and remote access paths
- Firewall and IDS/IPS placement
- Redundancy, failover, and isolation of critical systems
☁️ Cloud & Hybrid Environments
- Microsoft 365, Azure, AWS, Google Cloud
- Identity federation, authentication, and RBAC
- Secure configuration baselines
- Multi-tenancy and SaaS application risks
🏭 OT & ICS Environments
- Mapping of zones (Purdue Model, Level 0–5)
- Unsecured protocol analysis (Modbus, DNP3, etc.)
- OT/IT separation and access control
- Visibility into field devices and vendor pathways
🔐 Application & Data Flows
- API design and authentication
- Data flow and classification review
- Encryption and secure storage practices
- Third-party service dependencies
🧑💼 Who This Is For
- IT teams planning or reviewing a new system or cloud migration
- Councils and utilities deploying or integrating smart systems
- Organisations undergoing cybersecurity uplift or maturity reviews
- Projects requiring secure-by-design principles or architecture sign-off
- Critical infrastructure providers complying with ISM, SoCI, or PSPF
⚠️ Common Issues We Identify
- Flat internal networks with no segmentation
- Poorly managed cloud identity and permissions
- Shared credentials for vendor remote access
- Visibility gaps in hybrid IT/OT environments
- App/API designs that leak sensitive data
📦 Optional Add-Ons
- Threat modelling and secure-by-design workshops
- Architecture updates with remediation guidance
- Policy and standards development (e.g., secure build baselines)
- Pre-implementation risk assessments for new systems
- Collaboration with vendors and integrators during design phase
🎯 Deliverables You Can Expect
✔️ Architecture diagram review and mark-up
✔️ Written recommendations aligned to risk and compliance needs
✔️ Secure architecture principles and reference patterns
✔️ Design validation prior to procurement or deployment
✔️ Integration support with GRC, vCISO, or MSS offerings
💬 What Our Clients Say
“vCISO.One provided us with a clear view of where our architecture was putting us at risk — and helped us redesign it before implementation. They gave us real-world feedback, not academic theory.”
— Digital Transformation Lead, Local Government Organisation
