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Reference Architecture

The organization shall develop a security reference architecture that provides a standardized approach to designing and implementing security controls across the enterprise. The reference architecture shall include security domains, control frameworks, technology patterns, and integration models, reviewed periodically and updated to reflect changes in the threat landscape and technology environment.

Requirement ID
ARC-001-R003
Parent Control
ARC-001
Domain Code
ARC

Requirement Details & Guidance

ARC-001-R003 · ARC-001
Why This Requirement Exists

This requirement exists to provide approved architectural patterns and reference designs that guide secure solution development and to ensure security architecture decisions are consistent, risk-informed, and traceable.

Implementation Guidance

Establish a documented process for provide approved architectural patterns and reference designs that guide secure solution development. Define accountable roles, required inputs and outputs, approval or validation points, criteria, review frequency, exception handling, monitoring, and evidence requirements. Integrate the activity with architecture governance, risk management, security requirements, engineering, and change processes as applicable. Retain records sufficient to demonstrate that the control operates.

Practical Application & Audit Readiness

ARC-001-R003 · Field Guidance

Business Examples

    Common Audit Findings

      Common Mistakes

        Best Practices & Ownership

        ARC-001 · Recommended Approach

        Recommended Practices

          Typical Owner

          Cross-Mapped Regulatory Frameworks

          Harmonized Control Mappings
          FRAMEWORK CODE FRAMEWORK NAME & DETAILS FAMILY / CATEGORY VERSION ACTION
          IRDAI IRDAI Information & Cyber Security Guidelines IRDAI information and cyber-security requirements... Clause: §2.5-3.1 – Technology Standards
          India
          Guideline
          		 vLatest View →
          RBI-CSF RBI Cyber Security Framework / Master Directions RBI cyber-security requirements and directions set... Clause: 4) Network Management and Security – 4.1 Up-to-date organisation-level network architecture diagram; 5) Secure Configuration – 5.1 Baseline security requirements/configurations across device categories and lifecycle, with periodic review
          India
          Regulation
          		 vLatest View →
          SEBI-CSCRF SEBI Cyber Security & Cyber Resilience Framework SEBI’s Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience Framewor... Clause: 2.2 ID.RA: Risk Assessment
          India
          Regulation
          		 vLatest View →
          DORA Digital Operational Resilience Act The EU Digital Operational Resilience Act establis... Clause: Article 6(8)(d) – ICT reference architecture and changes needed for business objectives Article 7 – ICT systems, protocols and tools
          EU
          Regulation
          		 vCurrent View →
          NIS2 NIS2 Directive The NIS2 Directive establishes EU-wide cybersecuri... Clause: Article 21(2)(e) – Security in network and information systems acquisition, development and maintenance, including vulnerability handling and disclosure
          EU
          Directive
          		 vCurrent View →
          PCI-DSS PCI DSS PCI DSS is an industry security standard maintaine... Clause: 1.2.3 – An accurate network diagram(s) is maintained; 1.2.4 – An accurate data-flow diagram(s) is; 1.4.1 – NSCs are implemented between trusted and; 2.2.1 – Configuration standards are developed,
          PCI
          Standard
          		 v4 View →
          COBIT2019 COBIT COBIT is an enterprise governance and management f... Clause: 4.2 – Align, Plan and Organize (APO) > APO03 – Managed Enterprise Architecture > APO03.02 – Define reference architecture. 4.2 – Align, Plan and Organize (APO) > APO03 – Managed Enterprise Architecture > APO03.05 – Provide enterprise architecture services.
          COBIT
          Governance Framework
          		 v2019 View →
          NIST-CSF NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) The NIST Cybersecurity Framework provides high-lev... Clause: PR.IR – Technology Infrastructure Resilience | PR.IR-01 – Networks and environments are protected from unauthorized logical access and usage
          NIST
          Framework
          		 v2 View →
          NIST80053 NIST SP 800-53 NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 presents control families, i... Clause: 3.12 – PLANNING, 3.17 – SYSTEM AND SERVICES ACQUISITION; PL-8 – SECURITY AND PRIVACY ARCHITECTURES, SA-17 – DEVELOPER SECURITY AND PRIVACY ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
          NIST
          Control Catalog
          		 vRev. 5 View →
          GDPR General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) The General Data Protection Regulation is a bindin... Clause: Article 25(1) – Data protection by design and by default; Article 32(1) – Security of processing
          EU
          Regulation
          		 vCurrent View →
          NPCI-ISR NPCI Information Security Requirements NPCI information-security requirements define cont... Clause: Operational Review; Review – Architectural Review
          India
          Standard
          		 vLatest View →
          SOC2 SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria SOC 2 is an independent examination and reporting... Clause: CC1.3 – Control Environment – COSO Principle 3: Management establishes, with board oversight, structures, reporting lines, and appropriate authorities and responsibilities in the pursuit of objectives. CC5.2 – Control Activities – COSO Principle 11: The entity also selects and develops general control activities over technology to support the achievement of objectives.
          AICPA
          Audit Framework
          		 vLatest View →

          Parent Domain Context

          Governance Domain Baseline
          Domain Name:
          Security Architecture (ARC)
          Purpose:
          To design secure systems and ensure security is built into the architecture.
          Scope:
          Enterprise
          View

          Parent Control Context

          Control Baseline
          Control Name:
          Security Architecture Framework (ARC-001)
          Summary:
          Establishes enterprise security architecture framework including strategy, reference architectures, principles, standards, patterns, technology roadmap, governance, reporting, review, and continuous improvement.
          Business Description:
          Establish and maintain an enterprise security architecture framework including architecture strategy, reference architectures, security principles, standards, patterns, and technology roadmaps to guide the secure design of business and technology solutions.
          View