10/14/2026
Key Documents a Cyber Security Architect works on
In my cloud and application security work, the most useful documentation connects business needs, security risks and design decisions.
These are the key documents I would highlight:
1. Security Requirements and Control Matrix Defines what the solution must meet: data protection, access, logging and other security requirements, mapped to relevant controls and their implementation.
2. Security Architecture / Design Document Explains how security fits into the solution: system boundaries, data flows, identity, network segmentation, encryption and the reasoning behind design choices. This can sit within the high-level or detailed design.
3. Threat Model Asks: โWhat could go wrong?โ Documents potential threats, attack paths, trust boundaries and proposed mitigations,ideally before implementation, then updated as the design changes.
4. Threat and Risk Assessment (TRA) and Risk Register Explains which risks matter and how they will be managed: likelihood, business impact, existing controls, treatment actions, owners and the risk remaining after treatment.
5. System Security Plan (SSP) Documents the systemโs security arrangements: scope, information classification, responsibilities, controls and how they are implemented. It supports assessment and authorisation.
6. Security Assessment Report (SAR) Records assessment findings, control effectiveness, weaknesses and recommended remediation. Architects provide design context and evidence; the formal report is produced by the assessor.
Other supporting documents include Security Risk Management Plans (SRMPs), Security Assessment Plans, remediation plans/Plans of Action and Milestones, incident response plans and continuous monitoring plans.
In Australia, the context matters. Government projects need the applicable ISM, PSPF and agency requirements,not a blanket assumption that every agency has identical obligations. Private-sector projects follow organisational policies and relevant industry requirements, such as CPS 234 for APRA-regulated entities. For me, good documentation should answer three questions: What are we protecting? Why did we choose these controls? What risk remains, and who owns it?