This week highlights the role of architecture as the skeleton of security. Students learn how flat networks and perimeter-based models have failed under modern conditions, with the Target breach serving as a cautionary case. Defense in depth, segmentation, and microsegmentation are introduced as structural strategies for containing adversaries. The rise of zero trust architecture reframes trust as something to be earned continuously rather than assumed, while the lifecycle of SSL and TLS illustrates how protocols evolve to meet new demands.

Learners explore architectural trade-offs, where gains in performance or convenience often come at the expense of visibility and control. Case studies of Heartbleed and DigiNotar demonstrate how shared components and certificate authorities create systemic risks. By the end of the week, students will understand that secure design is about resilience and adaptability, balancing usability, cost, and complexity while embedding monitoring, redundancy, and recovery at the core.
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