### Refined General Structure #### Hierarchical Approach 1. **Manufacturer Level**: - Contains general policies and information applicable to all devices from that manufacturer. - Includes a `whitelist-ips.json` and `security-contact.json` relevant to the entire range of products. 2. **Device-Specific Level**: - Provides detailed, device-specific instructions and information. - Contains its own `whitelist-ips.json`, `security-contact.json`, and `firewall-profile.json`. - Device-specific information overrides manufacturer-level information when present. #### Example Structure ```plaintext /.well-known/device-instructions /{manufacturer} /safelist-ips.json # Manufacturer-level IP safelist /security-contact.json # Manufacturer-level security contact /{device-model} /instructions.json # Specific device instructions /firewall-profile.json # Device-specific firewall profile /safelist-ips.json # Device-specific IP safelist /security-contact.json # Device-specific security contact ``` #### Precedence Rules - **Device-Specific Over Manufacturer-Level**: Routers and other network management tools should prioritize device-specific instructions and settings. If a device-specific `whitelist-ips.json` or `security-contact.json` exists, it should override the manufacturer-level files. #### Goals for Hierarchical Safelist and Contacts - **Flexibility and Specificity**: Allow for both broad policies applicable across all devices and specific configurations tailored to individual models. - **Clarity in Implementation**: Ensure that device-specific precedence over manufacturer-level information is clear and easy to implement in network management systems. - **Enhanced Security and Compatibility**: Provide more precise security and operational guidelines, enhancing each device's security posture and operating compatibility. #### Additional Considerations - **Documentation and Communication**: Document the hierarchy and precedence rules, ensuring manufacturers and network administrators understand how to implement and interpret these files. - **Update Mechanisms**: Establish efficient processes for updating manufacturer-level and device-specific files to keep them current and relevant. - **Testing and Validation**: Rigorously test the hierarchical structure to ensure routers and network tools correctly apply the precedence rules in various scenarios. With this refined structure, you can create a robust framework for disseminating device and manufacturer-specific firewall profiles, IP safelists, and security contacts, greatly enhancing networked devices' security and operational efficiency.