Security by Default

Embedding Security Controls Across Development Lifecycle

Software should be safe the moment it runs. While optional or add-on security safeguards software infrastructures, it often leaves them inconsistent and exposed.

Secure by default means systems are configured with protection, not left open to chance. It is a core principle that helps organisations build resilient and compliant software systems deployed with hardened configurations, essential protections, and compliance controls enabled from the foundation.

At Diconium, foundational safety is our topmost priority. We believe in building a secure software infrastructure embedding security by default practices into every solution we deliver. Our experts align with leading frameworks ensuring every deployment is consistent, resilient, and scalable.

Our Approach to Integrate Security by Default In our Solutions

We follow a structured and layered approach to embed security by default across every stage of the software lifecycle that includes:

Security Policy Definition: We understand business needs and map organisational and regulatory requirements into actionable security policies.

System Configuration and Hardening: Our experts implement hardened configurations at the system level, including secure bootloaders, firewalls, kernel lockdown mechanisms, and strict service whitelisting.

Secure Identity and Access Control: Security by Default requires identity enforcement from day one. We integrate certificate-based authentication, predefined IAM templates, and role-based access controls to ensure consistent identity protection across embedded and cloud systems.

Default Encryption and Logging Enablement: We enforce encryption as a baseline that includes HTTPS by default, deploying cryptographic storage keys, and configuring encrypted logging mechanisms.

Validation and Monitoring: We conduct regular configuration scans, CVE checks, and audit logging reviews to detect and resolve issues early.

Benefits of Implementing Security by Default

Adopting security by default offers organisations a secure foundation for modern software systems. Alongside, creating a strong shield since conceptualisation, it offers multiple benefits:

Reduced Misconfigurations

Eliminates reliance on manual setup, lowering the chance of errors that often create exploitable gaps. Additionally, it deploys strict default settings, disabling weak options and reducing exposure to attacks

Defence in Depth

Adds multiple security layers, including encryption, MFA, and access controls enforced automatically, ensuring consistent protection.

Compliance Ready

Scalable Security Posture

Why diconium?

Diconium is a trusted partner of leading businesses like Volkswagen and excels in delivering endpoint software security solutions. Our team of security architects and engineers combines decades of industry experience with deep expertise in threat modelling and secure coding practices, delivering customized solutions.

Why Businesses Must Adopt Solutions Abiding by Secure-by-Default Principles?

Modern enterprises operate in complex and dynamic, hyper-connected ecosystems. These systems are highly vulnerable and often get exposed to exploits even with minute interventions or configuration errors which are left unsecured.

Adopting security by default addresses these risks, ensuring security measures are enabled from the very beginning. It strengthens the overall security posture of software systems, reduces operational overhead and builds trust.

Additionally, it also helps businesses:

Reduce risk exposure, removing common exploit paths

Lower costs by avoiding rework and patching vulnerabilities

Accelerates compliance and strengthens resilience in connected systems

FAQ

What is security by default in software systems?

Security by Default is the practice of deploying applications and infrastructures with secure configurations, hardened settings, and compliance controls enabled from the foundations that help in reducing risks from misconfigurations and unsecured defaults.

How is security by default different from traditional security add-ons?

Unlike optional or add-on security services, Security by Default integrates protections directly into the system baseline. This eliminates weak defaults, lowers dependency on manual setup, and creates a consistent defence against exploits. For example, instead of requiring administrators to enable encryption after deployment, a database configured with Security by Default would come with encryption-at-rest turned on automatically.

What is the difference between security by design and security by default?

Security by Design is a strategic principle where security is considered during the entire software development lifecycle (SDLC) through processes like threat modelling and secure coding practices. Security by Default, on the other hand, ensures that once the system is deployed, it runs with hardened, non-optional protections enabled automatically. Together, they create a holistic defence.

How does security hardening relate to security by default?

Security hardening is a key element of security by default. It involves configuring secure bootloaders, kernel lockdown, firewalls, and whitelisting services to minimise the attack surface and protect systems from threats.