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Security Fundamentals & Crypto · Foundational

Defense in Depth

Layering multiple, independent security controls so that the failure of one does not compromise the asset.

Definition

Defense in depth (layered security) places overlapping controls across physical, technical, and administrative layers, and across network, host, application, and data tiers. An attacker must defeat several controls to succeed, and each layer can detect or slow an attack. It is a core architecture principle in nearly every security framework.

Example

A database is protected by a perimeter firewall, network segmentation, host-based firewall, encryption at rest, and role-based access control.

Exam tip

When a question asks for the best overall strategy rather than a single control, defense in depth is often the answer.

Don't confuse it with

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