Security Best Practices

Security is paramount when handling sensitive documents and blockchain transactions. This guide outlines essential security practices for deploying and maintaining Chaindoc in production environments.

Authentication & Authorization

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Always enable MFA for all user accounts, especially administrators and users with elevated privileges. Chaindoc supports:

Time-based One-Time Passwords (TOTP) via authenticator apps
SMS-based verification (less secure, use only when necessary)
Hardware security keys (FIDO2/WebAuthn)
Biometric authentication on supported devices

Strong Password Policies

Enforce robust password requirements:

Minimum 12 characters with complexity requirements
Password expiration every 90 days for sensitive accounts
Prevention of password reuse (last 10 passwords)
Lockout after 5 failed login attempts
Password strength meter during creation

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Implement the principle of least privilege by assigning users only the permissions they need:

Define clear roles: Viewer, Editor, Administrator, Auditor
Use granular permissions for document access
Regularly audit user roles and remove unnecessary access
Implement time-based access for temporary contractors
Separate duties for critical operations (e.g., approval workflows)

Data Encryption

Encryption at Rest

All sensitive data must be encrypted when stored:

Use AES-256 encryption for document storage
Encrypt database backups with separate keys
Store encryption keys in a dedicated key management service (KMS)
Rotate encryption keys quarterly
Enable full-disk encryption on all servers and workstations

Encryption in Transit

Protect data during transmission:

Enforce TLS 1.3 for all connections
Use strong cipher suites (disable weak ciphers)
Implement certificate pinning for mobile apps
Enable HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security)
Use encrypted channels for blockchain transactions

Blockchain Security

Private Key Management

Blockchain private keys are the most critical security asset:

Never store private keys in plain text or code repositories
Use hardware security modules (HSMs) for production keys
Implement multi-signature wallets for high-value operations
Create key backup procedures with secure offline storage
Use separate keys for different environments (dev, staging, prod)

Smart Contract Security

If using custom smart contracts:

Conduct thorough security audits before deployment
Use established patterns and avoid experimental code
Implement circuit breakers for emergency stops
Test extensively on testnets before mainnet deployment
Monitor for unusual transaction patterns

Blockchain Audit Trails

Leverage blockchain for immutable audit logging:

Record all document state changes on-chain
Hash sensitive operations for verification
Implement timestamp proofs for compliance
Regularly verify on-chain data integrity
Archive blockchain transaction receipts

API Security

API Authentication

Secure all API endpoints:

Use OAuth 2.0 or JWT tokens for authentication
Implement token expiration (15-60 minutes for access tokens)
Rotate API keys regularly (every 90 days minimum)
Use separate API keys for different services
Never expose API keys in client-side code

Rate Limiting & DDoS Protection

Prevent abuse and service disruption:

Implement rate limiting per API key and IP address
Use exponential backoff for failed requests
Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Enable DDoS protection at CDN/cloud provider level
Monitor for abnormal traffic patterns

Input Validation & Sanitization

Protect against injection attacks:

Validate all input data against strict schemas
Sanitize user-provided content before storage/display
Use parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection
Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers
Escape output in all contexts (HTML, JavaScript, URLs)

Infrastructure Security

Network Segmentation

Isolate critical components:

Separate production, staging, and development environments
Use VPCs and private subnets for sensitive services
Restrict database access to application servers only
Implement firewall rules with default-deny policies
Use jump hosts/bastion servers for administrative access

Patch Management

Keep systems up to date:

Apply security patches within 48 hours of release
Automate dependency updates for non-breaking changes
Regularly update container images and base OS
Subscribe to security advisories for all used technologies
Test patches in staging before production deployment

Container & Orchestration Security

If using containerized deployments:

Use minimal base images (Alpine, Distroless)
Scan images for vulnerabilities before deployment
Run containers as non-root users
Implement pod security policies/standards
Use secrets management (not environment variables)
Enable network policies to restrict pod-to-pod traffic

Compliance & Auditing

Regulatory Compliance

Ensure compliance with relevant regulations:

GDPR: Implement right to erasure and data portability
HIPAA: Enable audit logging and access controls for healthcare data
SOC 2: Document security controls and conduct annual audits
ISO 27001: Implement information security management system
Industry-specific regulations (e.g., financial services, legal)

Audit Logging

Maintain comprehensive logs for security and compliance:

Log all authentication attempts (success and failure)
Record document access, modifications, and deletions
Track administrative actions and configuration changes
Store logs in tamper-proof, centralized system
Retain logs for minimum 1 year (or per regulatory requirements)
Implement log monitoring and alerting for suspicious activity

Regular Security Audits

Conduct periodic security assessments:

Perform quarterly vulnerability scans
Conduct annual penetration testing by third parties
Review access controls and user permissions monthly
Audit blockchain transactions for anomalies
Test backup and disaster recovery procedures quarterly

Monitoring & Incident Response

Security Monitoring

Implement real-time security monitoring:

Deploy SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) system
Set up alerts for failed login attempts, privilege escalation
Monitor for unusual data access patterns
Track API usage anomalies
Use intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS)

Incident Response Plan

Prepare for security incidents:

Document incident response procedures
Define escalation paths and contact information
Create runbooks for common security scenarios
Conduct tabletop exercises quarterly
Establish communication protocols for breaches
Maintain forensic analysis capabilities

Backup & Disaster Recovery

Ensure business continuity:

Implement automated daily backups
Store backups in geographically distributed locations
Encrypt all backup data
Test restoration procedures monthly
Maintain offline backups for ransomware protection
Document Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO)

Development Security

Secure Development Lifecycle

Integrate security into development:

Conduct code reviews with security focus
Use static application security testing (SAST) tools
Implement dependency scanning in CI/CD pipeline
Require security training for all developers
Never commit secrets to version control
Use pre-commit hooks to prevent sensitive data leaks

Third-Party Dependencies

Manage external library risks:

Regularly update dependencies to latest secure versions
Use tools like Dependabot, Snyk, or npm audit
Review security advisories for used packages
Minimize number of dependencies
Verify package integrity and maintainer reputation
Consider vendoring critical dependencies

User Education & Awareness

Security is everyone's responsibility:

Conduct security awareness training for all users
Provide phishing and social engineering education
Create clear security policies and guidelines
Establish reporting mechanisms for security concerns
Reward responsible disclosure of vulnerabilities
Maintain up-to-date security documentation

Security Checklist

Use this checklist before deploying to production:

✓ MFA enabled for all user accounts
✓ Strong password policies enforced
✓ RBAC implemented with least privilege
✓ All data encrypted at rest and in transit
✓ TLS 1.3 enforced on all endpoints
✓ Private keys stored in HSM or secure vault
✓ API rate limiting configured
✓ WAF and DDoS protection enabled
✓ Input validation and sanitization implemented
✓ Network segmentation properly configured
✓ All systems patched and up to date
✓ Comprehensive audit logging enabled
✓ Security monitoring and alerting active
✓ Incident response plan documented and tested
✓ Automated backups configured and tested
✓ Security scanning in CI/CD pipeline
✓ Compliance requirements documented and met

Additional Resources

For more information on Chaindoc security:

OWASP Top 10 Web Application Security Risks
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
CIS Security Benchmarks
Blockchain Security Best Practices (Consensys)
Cloud Security Alliance Guidelines

For security issues or questions, contact our security team at security@chaindoc.com or report vulnerabilities through our responsible disclosure program.

Documentation