Emerging Technologies - Architecture Insights

Artificial Intelligence Security

AI systems introduce new attack surfaces that traditional security controls were not designed to protect against.

AI/ML Security Challenges

CISA and international partners released joint guidance on AI Data Security best practices in May 2025, highlighting critical risks across the AI lifecycle.

Key Security Concerns:

Data Poisoning: Malicious training data injection
Model Inversion: Extracting training data from models
Adversarial Examples: Inputs designed to fool AI systems
Prompt Injection: Manipulating AI system inputs
Model Theft: Unauthorized model replication

AI Security Best Practices

Secure AI Development: Security-by-design principles
Data Protection: Training data classification and access controls
Model Validation: Adversarial testing and validation
Runtime Protection: Input validation and output filtering
Monitoring: AI system behavior analysis

Cloud Security

Shared Responsibility Model

Cloud Provider Responsibilities

Physical security
Infrastructure security
Platform services security
Hypervisor and networking

Security OF the cloud

Customer Responsibilities

Data encryption and classification
Identity and access management
Application security
Network controls and firewall rules
Operating system and patches

Security IN the cloud

Misunderstanding Shared Responsibility Causes Breaches

Many cloud security breaches occur because organizations assume the cloud provider is responsible for all security. Understanding exactly where provider responsibility ends and customer responsibility begins is critical.

Cloud Security Challenges

Visibility: Limited insight into cloud infrastructure
Compliance: Meeting regulatory requirements in cloud
Data Location: Geographic and jurisdictional considerations
Identity Management: Federated identity and access management
Configuration: Secure cloud service configuration

Cloud Security Tools

Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM): Configuration assessment
Cloud Workload Protection Platform (CWPP): Runtime workload security
Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): Data protection and compliance
Container Security: Image scanning, runtime protection
Serverless Security: Function-level security controls

Internet of Things (IoT) Security

IoT Security Challenges

IoT Devices Are Often Security Weak Points

IoT devices frequently ship with default credentials, lack secure update mechanisms, and remain deployed for years without patches. These devices can become entry points for attackers to compromise entire networks.

Device Constraints: Limited processing power and memory
Update Management: Difficult firmware patching
Default Credentials: Weak or unchanged default passwords
Network Exposure: Direct internet connectivity
Device Lifecycle: Long deployment periods with minimal maintenance

NIST IoT Security Framework

NIST continues to develop IoT cybersecurity guidance, with foundational activities including:

Device Identification: Asset inventory and management
Device Configuration: Secure initial setup
Data Protection: Encryption and access controls
Interface Security: Secure communications
Software Updates: Secure update mechanisms
Cybersecurity State Awareness: Monitoring and logging

Blockchain and Distributed Systems

Smart Contract Security (OWASP Smart Contract Top 10 2025)

Access Control Vulnerabilities: Poorly implemented permissions
Arithmetic Issues: Integer overflow/underflow
Unchecked External Calls: Reentrancy attacks
Lack of Input Validation: Unvalidated user inputs
Reentrancy Attacks: Callback exploitation
Gas Limit Vulnerabilities: Resource exhaustion
Weak Randomness: Predictable random number generation
Privacy Issues: On-chain data exposure
Logic Issues: Smart contract business logic flaws
Denial of Service: Contract unavailability attacks

Blockchain Security Considerations

Consensus Mechanisms: Proof-of-Work vs. Proof-of-Stake security
Key Management: Private key security and recovery
Smart Contract Auditing: Code review and formal verification
Network Security: Node protection and communication security

Quantum Computing Implications

Post-Quantum Cryptography

Timeline: NIST standardization in progress
Impact: Current encryption algorithms vulnerable
Migration Strategy: Hybrid classical-quantum resistant systems
Standards:
- NIST SP 800-208: Recommendation for Stateful Hash-Based Signature Schemes
- NIST SP 800-232: Ascon-Based Lightweight Cryptography (released 2025)

Quantum-Safe Algorithms

Key Exchange: CRYSTALS-Kyber
Digital Signatures: CRYSTALS-Dilithium, FALCON, SPHINCS+
Hash-Based Signatures: XMSS, LMS
Implementation: Gradual transition and testing