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BUSINESS POSTURE

  • Business Priorities and Goals:
    • Enhance application search functionality to provide fast and relevant search results.
    • Improve user experience by enabling efficient information retrieval.
    • Increase user engagement and satisfaction through improved search capabilities.
    • Enable data-driven decision-making by providing powerful search and analytics features.
  • Business Risks:
    • Data breaches through vulnerabilities in search functionality or underlying Elasticsearch.
    • Denial of service due to resource exhaustion from excessive or malicious search queries.
    • Inaccurate or manipulated search results leading to incorrect business decisions or poor user experience.
    • Compliance violations if sensitive data is improperly indexed or exposed through search.
    • Performance degradation of the application due to inefficient search queries or Elasticsearch configuration.

SECURITY POSTURE

  • Existing Security Controls:
    • security control: Secure software development lifecycle for Ruby gem development (general practice, not explicitly stated for this project).
    • security control: Reliance on Elasticsearch security features for data protection and access control (if Elasticsearch is configured securely).
    • security control: Dependency management for Ruby gems to address known vulnerabilities in dependencies (general practice).
  • Accepted Risks:
    • accepted risk: Risks associated with using Elasticsearch as a third-party search backend, including potential vulnerabilities in Elasticsearch itself.
    • accepted risk: Reliance on the application developer to properly implement security best practices when using Searchkick.
  • Recommended Security Controls:
    • recommended security control: Input validation and sanitization of search queries to prevent injection attacks.
    • recommended security control: Rate limiting and request throttling for search endpoints to mitigate denial of service attacks.
    • recommended security control: Monitoring and logging of search queries and Elasticsearch activity for security auditing and incident response.
    • recommended security control: Regular security vulnerability scanning and patching of Elasticsearch and Ruby dependencies.
    • recommended security control: Secure configuration of Elasticsearch, including access control, network security, and data encryption.
  • Security Requirements:
    • Authentication:
      • Requirement: While Searchkick itself does not handle user authentication, the application using Searchkick must implement authentication to verify the identity of users performing searches.
      • Implementation: Application-level authentication mechanisms (e.g., session-based, token-based) should be used to authenticate users before allowing search operations.
    • Authorization:
      • Requirement: The application must implement authorization to control access to search functionality and the data that can be searched based on user roles and permissions.
      • Implementation: Application-level authorization checks should be performed before executing search queries to ensure users only access authorized data. Elasticsearch security features can also be used to enforce data-level access control.
    • Input Validation:
      • Requirement: All user-provided search queries must be thoroughly validated and sanitized to prevent injection attacks (e.g., Elasticsearch injection).
      • Implementation: Implement input validation on the application side before passing queries to Searchkick and Elasticsearch. Use parameterized queries or query builders provided by Searchkick to avoid raw query construction.
    • Cryptography:
      • Requirement: Sensitive data indexed and stored in Elasticsearch should be encrypted at rest and in transit to protect confidentiality.
      • Implementation: Configure Elasticsearch to use encryption at rest for indexed data. Ensure TLS/SSL is enabled for communication between the application, Searchkick, and Elasticsearch. Consider encrypting sensitive data fields before indexing if Elasticsearch encryption at rest is not sufficient.

DESIGN

C4 CONTEXT

flowchart LR
    subgraph "Organization System"
        A["Ruby Application"]
    end
    B["Searchkick Gem"]
    C["Elasticsearch Cluster"]
    D["Users"]

    D --> A
    A --> B
    B --> C

    linkStyle 0,1,2 stroke:#f66,stroke-width:2px,dasharray: 5 5;
    classDef external stroke:#f66,stroke-width:2px
    class B,C external
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  • Context Diagram Elements:
      • Name: Ruby Application
      • Type: Software System
      • Description: The main application built by the organization that requires search functionality. This application uses the Searchkick gem to interact with Elasticsearch.
      • Responsibilities:
        • Handles user requests, including search requests.
        • Authenticates and authorizes users.
        • Processes user input and prepares search queries.
        • Displays search results to users.
      • Security controls:
        • Input validation and sanitization.
        • Authentication and authorization mechanisms.
        • Application-level logging and monitoring.
      • Name: Searchkick Gem
      • Type: Software System (External Dependency)
      • Description: A Ruby gem that simplifies integration with Elasticsearch for search functionality. It acts as a client library for Elasticsearch.
      • Responsibilities:
        • Provides a Ruby API for interacting with Elasticsearch.
        • Translates application-level search requests into Elasticsearch queries.
        • Manages indexing and searching operations in Elasticsearch.
      • Security controls:
        • Relies on secure coding practices in gem development.
        • Dependency management to address vulnerabilities in gem dependencies.
      • Name: Elasticsearch Cluster
      • Type: Software System (External System)
      • Description: A distributed search and analytics engine that stores and indexes data, and performs search operations.
      • Responsibilities:
        • Stores and indexes data provided by the application via Searchkick.
        • Executes search queries and returns results.
        • Manages data persistence and replication.
      • Security controls:
        • Access control mechanisms (e.g., role-based access control).
        • Network security (e.g., firewalls, network segmentation).
        • Data encryption at rest and in transit.
        • Audit logging and monitoring.
      • Name: Users
      • Type: Person
      • Description: End-users who interact with the Ruby Application and utilize the search functionality.
      • Responsibilities:
        • Initiate search requests through the application's user interface.
        • Consume search results provided by the application.
      • Security controls:
        • User authentication (handled by the Ruby Application).
        • User authorization (handled by the Ruby Application).

C4 CONTAINER

flowchart LR
    subgraph "Ruby Application Container"
        A["Web Server"]
        B["Application Logic"]
        C["Searchkick Library"]
    end
    D["Elasticsearch Cluster"]

    A --> B
    B --> C
    C --> D

    linkStyle 2 stroke:#f66,stroke-width:2px,dasharray: 5 5;
    classDef external stroke:#f66,stroke-width:2px
    class D external
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  • Container Diagram Elements:
      • Name: Web Server
      • Type: Container (Web Application)
      • Description: Handles HTTP requests from users and serves the Ruby application. Examples include Puma, Unicorn, or Passenger.
      • Responsibilities:
        • Receives user requests over HTTP/HTTPS.
        • Routes requests to the Application Logic.
        • Serves static content and application views.
        • Manages user sessions and authentication context.
      • Security controls:
        • HTTPS configuration for secure communication.
        • Web server security hardening (e.g., disabling unnecessary modules, setting appropriate headers).
        • Protection against common web application vulnerabilities (e.g., OWASP Top 10).
      • Name: Application Logic
      • Type: Container (Application Code)
      • Description: Contains the core business logic of the Ruby application, including handling search requests and interacting with the Searchkick library.
      • Responsibilities:
        • Implements application-specific search functionality.
        • Processes user search queries and interacts with Searchkick.
        • Retrieves and processes data from databases or other data sources.
        • Renders search results for the Web Server to display.
      • Security controls:
        • Input validation and sanitization of search queries.
        • Authorization checks before executing search operations.
        • Secure coding practices to prevent application-level vulnerabilities.
        • Logging and monitoring of application activity.
      • Name: Searchkick Library
      • Type: Container (Library)
      • Description: The Searchkick Ruby gem integrated into the Application Logic. It provides an abstraction layer for interacting with Elasticsearch.
      • Responsibilities:
        • Provides a Ruby API for defining search indexes and performing search operations.
        • Translates Ruby code into Elasticsearch queries.
        • Manages communication with the Elasticsearch Cluster.
      • Security controls:
        • Relies on secure coding practices in gem development.
        • Dependency management to address vulnerabilities in gem dependencies.
      • Name: Elasticsearch Cluster
      • Type: Container (Data Store)
      • Description: The Elasticsearch cluster responsible for indexing and searching data.
      • Responsibilities:
        • Stores and indexes data.
        • Executes search queries.
        • Manages data replication and high availability.
      • Security controls:
        • Access control mechanisms (e.g., role-based access control).
        • Network security (e.g., firewalls, network segmentation).
        • Data encryption at rest and in transit.
        • Audit logging and monitoring.

DEPLOYMENT

Deployment Solution: Cloud-based Deployment on AWS (Example)

flowchart LR
    subgraph "AWS Cloud"
        subgraph "VPC"
            subgraph "Public Subnet"
                A["Load Balancer"]
            end
            subgraph "Private Subnet"
                B["Application Servers"]
                C["Elasticsearch Cluster"]
            end
        end
    end
    D["Users"]

    D --> A
    A --> B
    B --> C

    linkStyle 0,1,2 stroke:#f66,stroke-width:2px,dasharray: 5 5;
    classDef cloud fill:#f9f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
    classDef internal fill:#ccf,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
    classDef external stroke:#f66,stroke-width:2px
    class A,B,C internal
    class D external
    class "AWS Cloud" cloud
    class "VPC" cloud
    class "Public Subnet" cloud
    class "Private Subnet" cloud
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  • Deployment Diagram Elements:
      • Name: Load Balancer
      • Type: Infrastructure (AWS ELB/ALB)
      • Description: Distributes incoming user traffic across multiple Application Servers for scalability and high availability.
      • Responsibilities:
        • Load balancing incoming HTTP/HTTPS requests.
        • SSL termination.
        • Health checks for Application Servers.
      • Security controls:
        • DDoS protection (AWS Shield).
        • Web Application Firewall (AWS WAF).
        • Security groups to control inbound and outbound traffic.
      • Name: Application Servers
      • Type: Infrastructure (AWS EC2 Instances)
      • Description: Virtual machines running the Web Server and Application Logic containers.
      • Responsibilities:
        • Hosting the Ruby application.
        • Processing user requests.
        • Interacting with Elasticsearch.
      • Security controls:
        • Security groups to restrict network access.
        • Instance hardening (OS and application level).
        • Regular patching and updates.
        • Access management (IAM roles).
      • Name: Elasticsearch Cluster
      • Type: Infrastructure (AWS Elasticsearch Service or EC2 Instances)
      • Description: Managed Elasticsearch service or a cluster of EC2 instances running Elasticsearch.
      • Responsibilities:
        • Providing search and indexing capabilities.
        • Storing indexed data.
      • Security controls:
        • VPC network isolation.
        • Access policies and IAM roles.
        • Encryption at rest and in transit.
        • Security groups and network ACLs.
      • Name: Users
      • Type: External User
      • Description: End-users accessing the application over the internet.
      • Responsibilities:
        • Initiating requests to the application.
      • Security controls:
        • User-side security practices (e.g., strong passwords, avoiding phishing).

BUILD

flowchart LR
    A["Developer"] --> B["Code Repository (GitHub)"]
    B --> C["CI/CD Pipeline (GitHub Actions)"]
    C --> D["Build Artifacts (Gem Package)"]
    D --> E["Gem Registry (RubyGems.org)"]
    E --> F["Application Deployment Process"]

    linkStyle 0,1,2,3,4 stroke:#f66,stroke-width:2px,dasharray: 5 5;
    classDef external stroke:#f66,stroke-width:2px
    class A,E external
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  • Build Process Elements:
      • Name: Developer
      • Type: Person
      • Description: Software developer who writes and commits code changes for the Searchkick gem.
      • Responsibilities:
        • Writing and testing code.
        • Committing code changes to the repository.
        • Addressing security vulnerabilities in code.
      • Security controls:
        • Secure development environment.
        • Code review process.
        • Security awareness training.
      • Name: Code Repository (GitHub)
      • Type: Tool (Version Control System)
      • Description: GitHub repository hosting the Searchkick gem source code.
      • Responsibilities:
        • Storing and versioning source code.
        • Managing code branches and pull requests.
        • Triggering CI/CD pipelines.
      • Security controls:
        • Access control and permissions management.
        • Branch protection rules.
        • Audit logging of repository activities.
      • Name: CI/CD Pipeline (GitHub Actions)
      • Type: Tool (Automation)
      • Description: Automated CI/CD pipeline configured in GitHub Actions to build, test, and publish the Searchkick gem.
      • Responsibilities:
        • Automating the build process.
        • Running unit and integration tests.
        • Performing security scans (SAST, dependency checks).
        • Publishing build artifacts.
      • Security controls:
        • Secure pipeline configuration.
        • Secrets management for credentials.
        • Security scanning tools integration (e.g., linters, vulnerability scanners).
        • Build artifact signing and verification.
      • Name: Build Artifacts (Gem Package)
      • Type: Artifact (Software Package)
      • Description: The packaged Ruby gem file (.gem) produced by the build process.
      • Responsibilities:
        • Containing the compiled and packaged code of the Searchkick gem.
        • Being distributed to users through the Gem Registry.
      • Security controls:
        • Signed gem package to ensure integrity and authenticity.
        • Vulnerability scanning of dependencies included in the gem.
      • Name: Gem Registry (RubyGems.org)
      • Type: Tool (Package Repository)
      • Description: Public repository for Ruby gems (RubyGems.org) where Searchkick gem is published.
      • Responsibilities:
        • Hosting and distributing Ruby gems.
        • Providing gem installation and dependency management.
      • Security controls:
        • Gem signing and verification.
        • Malware scanning of uploaded gems.
        • Access control for gem publishing.
      • Name: Application Deployment Process
      • Type: Process
      • Description: The process of deploying applications that depend on the Searchkick gem. This process will download the gem from the Gem Registry.
      • Responsibilities:
        • Integrating Searchkick gem into applications.
        • Deploying applications to target environments.
      • Security controls:
        • Verifying gem signature before installation.
        • Secure application deployment practices.

RISK ASSESSMENT

  • Critical Business Processes:
    • User search functionality is critical for user experience and information retrieval within applications using Searchkick.
    • Data indexing and search performance are important for application responsiveness and usability.
  • Data Sensitivity:
    • The sensitivity of data protected by Searchkick depends on the data indexed in Elasticsearch by applications using Searchkick.
    • If applications index sensitive user data (e.g., PII, financial information), then this data becomes sensitive within the context of Searchkick and Elasticsearch.
    • The sensitivity level should be determined based on the specific application and the type of data being indexed.

QUESTIONS & ASSUMPTIONS

  • BUSINESS POSTURE:
    • Assumption: The primary business goal is to improve user experience and application functionality through enhanced search capabilities.
    • Question: What are the specific business KPIs that will be used to measure the success of implementing Searchkick?
    • Question: What is the acceptable level of risk for security vulnerabilities in the search functionality?
  • SECURITY POSTURE:
    • Assumption: Security is a concern, but performance and ease of use are also high priorities.
    • Question: Are there any specific compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS) that need to be considered for data indexed and searched using Searchkick?
    • Question: What is the current security maturity level of the organization using Searchkick?
  • DESIGN:
    • Assumption: Elasticsearch is already deployed and managed separately from the application using Searchkick.
    • Question: What is the expected scale and performance requirements for the search functionality?
    • Question: What is the data retention policy for indexed data in Elasticsearch?
    • Question: Are there any specific non-functional requirements (e.g., high availability, disaster recovery) for the search infrastructure?