DMZ Architecture
DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) Architecture is a network security design pattern that places publicly accessible services, such as web servers or email gateways, in a semi-trusted, isolated network segment between an organization's internal network and the external internet. It acts as a buffer zone to protect sensitive internal systems from direct exposure to untrusted networks, typically using firewalls to control traffic flow. This architecture helps mitigate risks by limiting the potential damage from attacks on public-facing services.
Developers should learn DMZ Architecture when designing or securing applications that require public internet access, such as e-commerce sites, APIs, or SaaS platforms, to implement defense-in-depth strategies. It is crucial for compliance with security standards like PCI DSS or HIPAA, and for preventing lateral movement in case of a breach. Use cases include hosting web applications, mail servers, or VPN gateways where isolating traffic reduces the attack surface on core internal assets.