The Basics: A Brutalist Security Program Stripped to the Essentials

Here’s the most minimal and essential Security Brutalist program you can use. It serves as a tool to evaluate your current security posture, identify any missing fundamentals, simplify an overly complex security setup, or build a strong foundation from scratch.

1. Minimize Attack Surface

• Keep a full asset inventory.
• Remove anything unnecessary.
• Harden what remains.

Why? The less there is to attack, the less you have to defend.

2. Strong Identity and Access Management

• Default to no access.
• Grant access only when needed, only as much as needed.
• Lock down admin accounts.
• Enforce zero trust and network segmentation.

Why? Trust nothing. Least privilege = least damage.

3. Data Security

• Classify, encrypt, and control access to sensitive data.
• Backups must be tested, protected, and restorable.

Why? Data is the target. Protect it like it matters — because it does.

4. Patch and Vulnerability Management

• Scan constantly. Patch fast.
• Eliminate unsupported software.

Why? Known bugs are easy wins for attackers. Don’t give them that.

5. Incident Response

• Have a simple, practiced plan.
• Know how to detect, contain, and recover.

Why? You will be attacked. Prepared beats panic.

6. Continuous Assessment

• Regularly scan, test, clean up, and re-check.
• Adapt. Remove what’s no longer needed. Continuous improvement always.

Why? Security is a process, not a product.

Summary

Strip it down. Lock it down. Test it often. Trust nothing. That’s the Brutalist approach to security — simple, strong, and survivable.

Note: Originally posted in the Security Brutalist blog.