Security architecture explained (part 1): What it is and why it matters

In 2024, 50% of UK businesses experienced a cyber attack. While that’s decreased slightly to 43% in 2025, the risk is still high, especially for medium and large businesses which see attack rates of 67% and 74% respectively.  

As cyber threats shift, taking advantage of new technology like AI, businesses need to adopt a strategic, end‑to‑end approach that integrates cyber defences into every layer of their environment. This is what an effective security architecture can provide – a structured, carefully planned implementation of defences which protect every aspect of your business, from data and devices to applications and networks. 

The principles of effective security architecture 

Best practice in security architecture rests on a set of core principles. When applied consistently across the organisation, they underpin your cyber security strategy and help deliver robust protection against known and emerging threats. 

Security by design – Taking a proactive approach to security as a key feature of your systems, operations, and core processes – not treating it as an afterthought. At the planning stage, audit the impact on security that any changes may make, and adjust your strategy accordingly, ahead of time. This reduces the risk of vulnerabilities and oversights, tackling them before they can endanger your organisation. 

Zero trust – No user, device, or application should be trusted by default. Instead, your security architecture should always assume some level of breach is currently active, requiring the verification and validation of all access requests to limit its reach. Least‑privilege access helps minimise attack surfaces, and prevent compromised credentials being used by cybercriminals to move around and occupy your critical infrastructure. 

Defence in depth – No single cyber defence can provide complete protection, which is why modern security architectures assemble multiple measures on top of each other, across all layers of the business – including identities, endpoints, data, networks, and applications. If one layer is breached, others continue to protect critical assets. 

Business alignment – An effective security architecture shouldn’t just be technical, but strategic. Security decisions need to reflect organisational goals, compliance standards, and operational realities. A well‑designed architecture supports innovation and productivity, without compromising on defence. 

Continuous improvement – Cybercriminals never stand still – constantly developing and testing new vulnerabilities and modes of compromise. Your cyber security strategy should reflect that, developing to meet emerging threats with ongoing penetration testing, monitoring, and regular assessment to maintain a proactive security posture. 

Applied well, each of these principles can act as a cornerstone of your cyber security strategy. Combined, they compound their benefits to offer new levels of protection.

Supporting your security architecture with Microsoft and Advania 

Building a strong and sustainable security architecture takes more than deploying the right tools however – it requires deep understanding of how those tools interconnect to protect every layer of your organisation. For organisations that already have significant investments in Microsoft, leveraging Microsoft’s security stack is an obvious and reliable place to start.

For example, tools like Microsoft Entra ID, Purview and Intune can prove instrumental in developing a zero-trust, secure-by-design architecture that ensures users accessing critical systems or sensitive data are who they say they are.

Meanwhile, Microsoft Defender and Sentinel provide powerful general-purpose tools for co-ordinating defence in depth. In short, effective use of Microsoft security tools can help to bridge the gap to an effective security architecture, without requiring significant investment in new, third-party tooling.

Our security architects help you take that even further. Experts in the Microsoft security stack and backed by certifications such as Cybersecurity Architect Expert (SC-100), our team ensures the solutions we deliver are secure by design, and can help you bring the rest of your environment in line with that standard, across Azure, on-premises, and even other public clouds.

How we deliver security architecture 

Across all our projects, we work to help you define and develop your security architecture, following best practices and building secure-by-design solutions that align with proven frameworks like zero-trust and Microsoft’s Security Reference Architectures. This ensures cyber defences are engrained in every layer of your environment. We focus on 5 key pillars across all projects that capitalise on our security expertise, and ensure you get the full benefit:

1. Guided by best practice – Our approach mirrors the principles discussed earlier, embedding the cutting edge of cyber security strategy across the work we deliver. We develop layered defences that strengthen protection in depth, maintain continuous improvement through regular reviews, and ensure every technology decision aligns with your wider business objectives.
2. Working in partnership – When working on a project, we embed ourselves within your teams, working closely with you to ensure the best outcomes. From a security perspective, our Security Architect-as-a-Service model takes that even further, giving you flexible access to our security expertise and helps adapt to your top business priorities.
3. Domain expertise – Our architects deliver across every area of security, implementing defences covering identity, devices, platforms, infrastructure, applications, data and networks. Our knowledge helps us identify the best solutions for the unique needs of your business and ensures multi-layer cyber defences that help to manage risk.
4. Collaboration and governance – Security is never achieved in isolation. We work closely with internal stakeholders, third‑party vendors, and consultants to validate and enhance controls. Strong governance, rigorous risk assessment, and clear policies shape every project, ensuring decisions align with long‑term security goals.
5. Ongoing assurance – Our work doesn’t end after initial delivery. Ongoing support, proactive monitoring, incident response, and a continuous knowledge transfer helps keep your environment secure, and ensures your internal teams can take over your defences effectively.

Start drafting your security architecture today

An effective security architecture is the foundation of a secure, agile, and confident organisation. By integrating protection into every part of your business, you not only reduce risk but enable innovation and growth. 

Our combined expertise in Microsoft and cyber security helps us maximise your Microsoft investment while advancing your defences. If you’re eager to get started, reach out to set up a consultation with one of our Security Architects.