Castle And Moat Model
The Castle and Moat Model is a cybersecurity concept that describes a traditional network security approach where defenses are concentrated at the perimeter, similar to a castle with a moat protecting its interior. It assumes that threats come from outside the network, so security measures like firewalls and intrusion detection systems are placed at the boundary to keep attackers out. This model contrasts with modern zero-trust architectures that assume threats can exist both inside and outside the network.
Developers should learn this concept to understand historical and foundational security practices, especially when working with legacy systems or in industries where perimeter-based security is still prevalent. It's useful for contextualizing why certain network architectures were designed with strong external defenses but weaker internal controls, helping in risk assessment and migration to more secure models like zero-trust. Knowledge of this model aids in compliance discussions and security audits for older infrastructure.