SSL & Security Architecture
Relevant source files
The following files were used as context for generating this wiki page:
The SSL & Security Architecture defines the protocols, configurations, and governance measures protecting the Imperial Archive ecosystem. It ensures encrypted communication, verified domain ownership, and controlled repository access to preserve the integrity of cognitive assets and foundational records.
This architecture integrates Cloudflare-based SSL encryption with strict DNS-level security records and a rigid governance framework. It operates under the "LOCKED_CANONICAL" status for core components, ensuring that security measures cannot be bypassed without explicit founder approval.
SSL and Transport Security
Imperial Archive enforces high-standard encryption for all domain traffic. The system utilizes Cloudflare Universal SSL to manage certificate issuance and renewal.
Encryption Standards
The architecture mandates a minimum TLS version of 1.2, with a preference for TLS 1.3. It enforces HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) to prevent downgrade attacks.
| Configuration | Value | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Cloudflare Universal SSL | Recommended |
| Minimum TLS | 1.2 | Active |
| Preferred TLS | 1.3 | Active |
| HSTS | Enabled | Active |
| HSTS Max Age | 31536000 (1 Year) | Active |
Sources: 02_REPOSITORY/domain-ssl.yml:7-12
Security Headers
The system implements specific HTTP headers to harden the web interface against common vulnerabilities such as clickjacking and MIME-sniffing.
security_headers:
- { header: "Strict-Transport-Security", value: "max-age=31536000; includeSubDomains", status: "pending" }
- { header: "X-Content-Type-Options", value: "nosniff", status: "pending" }
- { header: "X-Frame-Options", value: "DENY", status: "pending" }
- { header: "Content-Security-Policy", value: "default-src 'self'", status: "pending" }
Sources: 02_REPOSITORY/domain-ssl.yml:14-19
DNS Security Records
The project uses DNS records to verify identity and prevent email-based threats. Security records are categorized by priority, with high-priority records focusing on mail authentication (SPF, DMARC) and certificate authority authorization (CAA).
Mail and Identity Protection
The architecture employs a staged rollout for DMARC to ensure legitimate mail is not blocked during configuration.
- SPF: Includes Google as a trusted sender (
v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all). - DMARC: Progresses from
p=none(monitoring) top=quarantineand finallyp=reject. - CAA: Restricts certificate issuance to
letsencrypt.org.
Sources: 02_REPOSITORY/domain-dns.yml:10-25
DNS Infrastructure Flow
The following diagram illustrates how DNS requests interact with the security layers:
This diagram shows the validation path from a user request through DNS-level checks to secure content delivery.
Sources: 02_REPOSITORY/domain-dns.yml, 02_REPOSITORY/domain-ssl.yml
Repository and Code Security
The Imperial Archive repository is private and follows a strict "No Direct Push" policy for the main branch. This ensures all changes are audited through Peer Reviews (PR) and signed commits.
Branch Protection and Signatures
The main branch is protected and requires GPG signatures for all commits. This prevents the introduction of unverified code into the canonical source.
- Visibility: Private
- Default Branch: main (Protected)
- Direct Push: Disabled
- Commit Policy: Requires GPG signature and conventional format
Sources: 02_REPOSITORY/repository.yml:7-22
Change Control Levels
Security-related changes are classified by impact, determining the level of approval required.
| Change ID | Type | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| CHANGE-CRITICAL | Critical | Founder approval, PR review, Signed commit |
| CHANGE-MAJOR | Major | Founder approval, PR review |
| CHANGE-MINOR | Minor | PR review |
| CHANGE-PATCH | Patch | Self-review |
Sources: 01_GOVERNANCE/change-control.yml:7-11
Governance and Constitutional Security
The security architecture is grounded in the "Foundational Constitution," which establishes non-negotiable protections for the system's origin and child data.
Data Protection Rules
- Article 2: Prohibits child data from leaving designated folders.
- Article 4: Establishes the Founder as the final authority on security overrides.
- SOT-R4: Ensures no platform (e.g., GitHub, Cloudflare) can override the canonical repository settings.
Sources: 00_FOUNDATION/constitution.md:10-14, 01_GOVERNANCE/source-of-truth.yml:23
Security Management Structure
The following class diagram represents the relationship between security configuration files and their organizational purpose.
The diagram outlines how governance files define the rules that manage the security folder and domain configurations.
Sources: 02_REPOSITORY/structure.yml:23-26, 01_GOVERNANCE/change-control.yml
Summary
The SSL & Security Architecture of the Imperial Archive provides a multi-layered defense strategy. It combines automated transport security via Cloudflare (TLS 1.3, HSTS) with manual governance gates (GPG-signed commits, Founder approval). By anchoring technical configurations like SPF/DMARC and security headers in "LOCKED_CANONICAL" YAML files, the system ensures that security posture remains consistent, auditable, and resilient against unauthorized modification.