Security Policy

1. Security Philosophy

SOVEREIGN\PROVENANCE is built on cryptographic integrity, immutable records, and zero-trust architecture. Security is not an add-on—it is fundamental to how provenance works.

We protect user data, preserve provenance integrity, prevent tampering, ensure confidentiality where required, maintain availability for critical workflows, and enable transparent auditability.

2. Encryption & Data Protection

A. Data in Transit

All communications are encrypted using TLS 1.3 or higher. API endpoints, web interfaces, and inter-service communications use strong cipher suites and certificate pinning where applicable.

B. Data at Rest

User content, account data, and sensitive metadata are encrypted at rest using AES-256. Cryptographic keys are managed through hardware security modules (HSMs) or equivalent key management services.

C. Provenance-Specific Encryption

Cryptographic hashes, timestamp receipts, and immutable proofs are themselves cryptographic artifacts. They are stored in tamper-evident formats and verified continuously.

3. Access Controls & Authentication

A. Authentication

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) required for all accounts
• Password complexity requirements and secure password storage (bcrypt/argon2)
• Session management with secure tokens and automatic expiration
• OAuth 2.0 / SSO support for enterprise customers

B. Authorization

• Role-based access control (RBAC) with granular permissions
• Principle of least privilege—users receive minimum necessary access
• Resource-level permissions for artifacts, projects, and organizations
• Guardian Node operators have restricted, audited access

C. Account Security

• Automatic detection of suspicious login attempts
• Rate limiting on authentication endpoints
• Account lockout after failed attempts
• Email notifications for security events

4. Infrastructure Security

A. Network Security

• Firewall rules and network segmentation
• DDoS protection and mitigation
• Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS)
• VPN and private network access for enterprise customers

B. Server & Application Security

• Regular security patches and updates
• Hardened operating systems and container images
• Vulnerability scanning and dependency management
• Secure configuration management

C. Cloud & Third-Party Security

We use vetted cloud providers with strong security postures. All third-party services undergo security assessments and are bound by confidentiality agreements.

5. Monitoring & Threat Detection

A. Continuous Monitoring

• Real-time security event logging
• Anomaly detection for unusual access patterns
• Automated alerts for security-relevant events
• 24/7 security operations center (SOC) monitoring

B. Threat Detection

• Behavioral analysis to detect account compromise
• Provenance integrity checks to detect tampering
• Malware and malicious content scanning
• Abuse pattern recognition

C. Security Logging

All security events are logged immutably. Logs include authentication attempts, access changes, provenance workflow events, integrity violations, and system anomalies. Logs are retained per our Data Retention Policy.

6. Incident Response

A. Incident Response Plan

We maintain a documented incident response plan that includes:

• Immediate containment and isolation
• Forensic investigation and root cause analysis
• Notification procedures for affected users and regulators
• Remediation and recovery steps
• Post-incident review and improvement

B. Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach affecting personal data, we will notify affected users and relevant authorities within 72 hours (GDPR) or as required by applicable law.

C. Business Continuity

We maintain backup and disaster recovery procedures to ensure service availability and data integrity even during security incidents.

7. Security Audits & Compliance

A. Regular Audits

• Annual third-party security audits
• Penetration testing and vulnerability assessments
• Code security reviews
• Infrastructure security assessments

B. Compliance Certifications

We pursue and maintain compliance with:

• SOC 2 Type II
• ISO 27001 (Information Security Management)
• GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, and other privacy frameworks
• Industry-specific standards as required by customers

8. Provenance-Specific Security

A. Cryptographic Integrity

The provenance engine uses cryptographic hashing, digital signatures, and timestamping to ensure data integrity. These mechanisms are continuously verified.

B. Tamper Detection

Any attempt to modify immutable records, alter lineage logs, or falsify provenance metadata is automatically detected and logged. Such attempts may result in account suspension.

C. Guardian Node Security

Guardian Nodes (institutional operators) must meet security requirements including secure key management, network isolation, and regular security audits.

9. User Security Responsibilities

Users are responsible for:

• Maintaining strong, unique passwords
• Enabling and protecting MFA credentials
• Not sharing account credentials
• Reporting suspicious activity immediately
• Keeping client software and browsers updated
• Not uploading malicious content or attempting to exploit vulnerabilities

10. Security Research & Responsible Disclosure

We encourage responsible security research. Please see our Responsible Disclosure Policy for guidelines on reporting vulnerabilities.

Security researchers who follow responsible disclosure practices will be recognized and may be eligible for our bug bounty program.

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Security Policy periodically to reflect new threats, technologies, or compliance requirements. The "Last Updated" date reflects the most recent revision.