Security & Authentication

The Security & Authentication system provides enterprise-grade protection for sensitive GDPR compliance data. It implements strict access controls essential for protecting personal data in accordance with Article 32 security requirements.

Security Architecture

Core Security Components

Access Control System

The Access Control System serves as the primary security mechanism for protecting GDPR-related resources.

Component	Function	GDPR Relevance
Access Verification	Validates access rights for each request	Ensures appropriate data access controls
Security Token Validation	Validates authenticity of access credentials	Prevents unauthorized data access
Session Management	Maintains secure user sessions	Provides audit trail of access activities
Role-Based Controls	Enforces appropriate access levels	Limits access to necessary information only

Authentication Process

1. Session Verification

   • Checks for existing authenticated session
   • Validates session integrity and expiration
   • Verifies appropriate access permissions

2. Security Token Processing

   • Validates token authenticity and integrity
   • Verifies token has not been revoked
   • Creates secure session with appropriate permissions

3. Security Measures

   • Implements brute force protection
   • Records all authentication events
   • Enforces secure password requirements

Security Service

The Security Service manages authentication credentials and user identity verification.

Security Function	Description	Implementation Details
Credential Extraction	Securely processes authentication credentials	Uses industry-standard security protocols
Identity Verification	Validates user identity claims	Multiple verification factors
Role Assignment	Assigns appropriate access permissions	Based on data protection responsibilities
Access Logging	Records all access events	Comprehensive audit trail for compliance

GDPR-Compliant Authentication Flow

Access Request Processing

When accessing GDPR-related resources, the system implements these security measures:

1. Initial Request Verification

   • Validates the source of the request
   • Confirms appropriate encryption
   • Checks for suspicious patterns

2. Identity Confirmation

   • Verifies the identity of the requester
   • Confirms appropriate authorization level
   • Validates specific access permissions

3. Session Establishment

   • Creates secure, time-limited session
   • Applies principle of least privilege
   • Enables comprehensive activity tracking

Security Measures for DPOs

Role-Based Access Control

Data Protection Officers benefit from granular access controls:

Role	Access Level	Example Permissions
DPO Administrator	Full access	Manage all compliance documentation
DPO Analyst	Limited access	View but not modify key documentation
Compliance Specialist	Focused access	Manage specific compliance areas
External Auditor	Temporary access	Time-limited review capabilities

Multi-Factor Authentication

Enhanced security for sensitive compliance functions:

• Two-Factor Authentication: Required for all DPO access
• Device Verification: Validates trusted devices
• Location-Based Verification: Flags unusual access locations
• Biometric Options: Available for highest-security operations

Security Audit Logging

Comprehensive security logging supports GDPR accountability:

• Access Attempts: All successful and failed access attempts
• Data Access Events: Records of all data accessed
• Administrative Actions: Logs of all configuration changes
• Security Incidents: Automatic alerts for suspicious activities

GDPR Article 32 Compliance

This security system specifically supports GDPR Article 32 requirements:

1. Technical Measures

• Encryption: All data encrypted in transit and at rest
• Pseudonymization: Identity separation where appropriate
• Access Controls: Strict need-to-know basis access
• Secure Development: Security-by-design principles

2. Organizational Measures

• Access Policies: Clear documentation of access rights
• Regular Testing: Periodic security assessments
• Incident Response: Defined procedures for security events
• Continuous Improvement: Regular security enhancements

3. Risk-Appropriate Security

• Risk Assessment: Security measures based on data sensitivity
• Confidentiality Preservation: Strict protection of confidential data
• System Resilience: High-availability for critical functions
• Recovery Capabilities: Robust data restoration processes

Integration with Enterprise Systems

For organizations implementing Daisy, the security system integrates with:

1. Enterprise Identity Providers: Single sign-on with existing systems
2. Corporate Directory Services: Synchronization with organizational structure
3. Security Information Systems: Integration with security monitoring
4. Compliance Management Tools: Connection to broader GRC platforms

const jwt = authService.extractJwtFromHeaders(authHeader);
await sessionService.createSession(jwt);

Error Scenarios

1. Missing Authorization

if (!authHeader) {
  throw new Error('Authorization header not found');
}

2. Invalid Token Format

if (authMethod !== 'Bearer') {
  throw new Error('Invalid authorization method');
}

3. Session Creation Failure

try {
  await sessionService.createSession(jwt);
} catch (error) {
  logger.error('Error creating session', error.message);
  return false;
}

Integration

Protecting Routes

@Controller('protected')
@UseGuards(AuthGuard) // Apply guard to entire controller
export class ProtectedController {
  @Get()
  @UseGuards(AuthGuard) // Or apply to specific endpoint
  getData() {
    // Protected endpoint
  }
}

Session Management

1. Session Creation

// After successful JWT validation
const session = await sessionService.createSession(jwt);

2. Session Access

// In protected routes
const userData = request.session.user;

User Interface

interface IDpoUser {
  id: string;
  organization: {
    id: string;
    // other organization properties
  };
  // other user properties
}

Security Considerations

JWT Handling

1. Token Validation

   • Verify token format
   • Validate signature
   • Check expiration

2. Secure Headers

   • Use HTTPS only
   • Set secure cookie flags
   • Implement CORS properly

Session Security

1. Session Management

   • Secure session storage
   • Session timeout
   • Session invalidation

2. Access Control

   • Role-based access
   • Organization scoping
   • Resource permissions

Best Practices

Implementation

1. Error Handling

   try {
     const jwt = authService.extractJwtFromHeaders(authHeader);
     await sessionService.createSession(jwt);
   } catch (error) {
     logger.error('Authentication failed', {
       error: error.message,
       authHeader: maskAuthHeader(authHeader),
     });
     throw new UnauthorizedException();
   }

2. Logging

   logger.debug('Authentication attempt', {
     hasSession: !!request.session?.user,
     hasAuthHeader: !!request.headers?.authorization,
   });

Security

1. Token Management

   • Implement token refresh mechanism
   • Use short-lived tokens
   • Secure token storage

2. Session Handling

   • Regular session cleanup
   • Implement session limits
   • Monitor session usage

Monitoring

Key Metrics

1. Authentication

   • Success/failure rates
   • Token validation errors
   • Session creation time

2. Performance

   • Response times
   • Session lookup speed
   • External service latency

Logging

// Authentication attempt
logger.info('Auth attempt', { userId, orgId });

// Failed authentication
logger.error('Auth failed', {
  reason: error.message,
  timestamp: new Date(),
});

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. Invalid Token

   • Check token format
   • Verify token expiration
   • Confirm signing key

2. Session Problems

   • Verify session storage
   • Check session configuration
   • Monitor session cleanup

3. External Service

   • Check comply service status
   • Verify network connectivity
   • Validate API credentials