Principle of Fail-Safe Defaults
The Principle of Fail-Safe Defaults is a key concept in information security that asserts systems should default to a secure state in the event of a failure. This principle ensures that the default configuration of a system denies access unless explicit permissions are granted, thereby minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or actions.
Principle of Fail-Safe Defaults
- Deny by Default:
- Access to resources should be denied unless there is a specific, explicit policy that grants access. This ensures that no one gets access by mistake or oversight.
- Secure Failure Modes:
- When a system encounters an error or failure, it should automatically switch to a secure state. For example, if a firewall fails, it should default to blocking all traffic rather than allowing it.
- Explicit Permissions:
- Access permissions should be clearly defined and granted explicitly rather than implicitly. This reduces the chances of inadvertently giving access to unauthorized users.
- Error Handling:
- Implement robust error handling that defaults to secure options. This includes validating inputs, handling exceptions securely, and ensuring that errors do not expose sensitive information.
- Audit and Review:
- Regularly audit and review configurations and permissions to ensure that default settings are secure and that no unauthorized changes have been made.