well-known-security/overview.md

Expanded Focus: Device-Based Firewall Profiles

Aim and Scope

The central aim is to develop a standardized architecture for secure device-based firewall profiles. This involves:

• Creating a Standard for Firewall Profiles: Defining a universal format and structure for firewall profiles that routers and firewall systems can easily understand and implement.
• Facilitating Automated Configuration: Enabling home and corporate routers to automatically interpret and apply these profiles, enhancing network security and reducing setup complexity.
• Improving Device Security: By standardizing firewall profiles, the goal is to reduce the attack surface of devices and lower the chances of vulnerabilities being exploited.

Proposed Structure

1. General Structure:

   /.well-known/device-instructions
       /{manufacturer}
           /security-contact.json       # Manufacturer security contact information
           /{device-model}
               /firewall-profile.json   # Firewall profile for the device
               /security-contact.json   # Security contact information
   

   • Each device model has a firewall-profile.json detailing the suggested firewall settings and rules for that specific device.
   • The security-contact.json remains a supportive feature for reporting security concerns.

2. Firewall Profile Content:

   • Profile Definition: firewall-profile.json contains the necessary firewall rules and settings tailored for the device.
   • Format and Standards: The profile should be in a standardized format (like JSON) that is easy for routers and firewalls to parse and implement.
   • Documentation: Include comments or explanations within the profile to clarify the purpose and necessity of each rule.

3. Response Time Specification (for security-contact.json):

   • A section in security-contact.json to specify the expected response time for inquiries, maintaining a clear communication channel for security issues.

Expanded Goals

• Ease of Implementation: Ensure that the firewall profile structure is straightforward to implement by device manufacturers and easily interpretable by router and firewall systems.
• Interoperability: Design the profiles universally applicable across different network environments and router models.
• Dynamic Updating: Consider mechanisms for updating firewall profiles as device firmware and threat landscapes evolve.
• Security Reporting: While not the primary focus, maintain an efficient and straightforward mechanism for reporting security issues, complementing the overall security architecture.

Additional Considerations

• Testing and Validation: Encourage thorough testing of the firewall profiles in various network scenarios to ensure effectiveness and compatibility.
• Community and Industry Feedback: Engage with the broader tech community, including security experts and network administrators, for feedback and suggestions.