ZTE Cybersecurity Advances with Three-Line Architecture for Robust Risk Management

The ZTE Corporation has long maintained a "Security in DNA, Trust Through Transparency" philosophy, reflecting its holistic approach to cybersecurity.

08:28 28 May 2024

The ZTE Corporation has long maintained a "Security in DNA, Trust Through Transparency" philosophy, reflecting its holistic approach to cybersecurity. To that end, let's take a look at its famous three-line architecture model and how it enhances cybersecurity measures, as well as risk management.

ZTE Cybersecurity Assurance Framework Practices

ZTE uses a unique cybersecurity assurance framework that aims to be a comprehensive approach throughout the entire lifecycle of every product it produces. Security is always at the forefront of every policy, research, and design decision the company makes during every part of the process.

For product development and delivery, all products are evaluated as part of the company's Three-Line Architecture (explained in greater detail in the next section). This process ensures that the product is as safe as possible from the design and development stage through alpha and beta testing and all the way until the product is delivered to market.

Once the product has been released, the job isn't done. As hackers are constantly developing new methods of software penetration, no company can be prepared for vulnerabilities that haven't yet been discovered. Software updates and patches are released as necessary to ensure the highest levels of cybersecurity possible until the product eventually reaches the end-of-life phase.

It's also designed for complete compliance, and all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards are considered. This provides ZTE's consumer base with the highest level of security possible.

ZTE Security: Three-Line Architecture Ensuring Effective Governance

ZTE's three-line architecture is the company's system for eliminating potential cybersecurity threats. It was specifically designed to ensure that the highest possible quality of security testing is executed before the software is released.

The first line consists of the business division creating the software, app, or program, starting in the research and design phase. Cybersecurity is to be considered and prioritized at every step of the product's development.

The four steps are "Plan, do, check, act." Every security measure introduced must be tested and confirmed as functional before releasing the product to the general public. Anything that doesn't pass the tests must be returned and redesigned until all security flaws have been eliminated.

This also includes the supply line and delivery phases, in which all supplier and distributor information is treated with the utmost security and protection.

The second line is the Product Security Department (PSD). After the software team has evaluated the software's security features, the PSD takes its turn looking for vulnerabilities.

These tests include code inspection, penetration tests, vulnerability scanning, and examining the protocol's robustness. Additionally, the PSD conducts an audit of the software team's methods to ensure that their tests run properly and no issues appear.

Finally, the third line is ZTE's Internal Control and Audit division. It works to verify the methods used by the front and second lines and suggest any possible improvements or changes to their methodology.

This unique system is designed to ensure that every possible contingency has been planned for and that no vulnerabilities are found in the software version released to the market. By studying, verifying, and reverifying the software itself and the methods used to test it, ZTE ensures the highest levels of cybersecurity for its users.

ZTE Security Embedded Product Life Cycle

Security governance and control are integrated throughout the entire lifecycle of every product in several ways. First, with design and development, products are tested and re-tested to find security vulnerabilities. These factors are also considered during the initial R&D.

During delivery, personnel in relevant positions with access to customer information and networks are given extensive cybersecurity training. Additionally, the customer must approve all network changes and are subject to verification and audits.

Due to the importance of fast incident response times, the company hosts regular drills to help train employees. These ensure that, in the event of an actual incident involving real customers, everyone in the company will know how to ensure the customer remains happy and protected.

This process ensures that users remain protected throughout a product's lifecycle, in keeping with regulations set forth by the European Union and, perhaps more importantly, ZTE's continuing commitment to customer safety and satisfaction.

Digital Infrastructure Supporting the Product Lifecycle

The digital infrastructure surrounding a product is a major part of protecting it throughout its lifecycle. To this end, ZTE has implemented many programs, protocols, and safeguards to ensure users remain protected at every process level.

The Intelligent Supply Coordination Platform and the Material Security Management System are designed to ensure that the supply chain remains constant and secure at all levels.

The R&D Cloud and R&D Security Management System, as the names imply, protect the Research and Design phase of product development. They work to patch any vulnerabilities either predicted or discovered during pre-production.

For the delivery phase, the Global Customer Support Center and Intelligent Engineering Project Management ensure that customer issues and reports of potential vulnerabilities are fixed as soon as possible and that the project management meets ZTE's high standards.

The Configuration and Vulnerability Management Systems and the DevSecOps Tool Chain work throughout all three phases. These involve using generalized and specific security tools to check for potential security threats within the software automatically.

ZTE Cybersecurity's innovative three-line architecture for cybersecurity illustrates its longstanding commitment to protecting businesses and consumers from cyber threats, hackers, bad actors, and other potential disasters. They have been and are expected to remain an industry leader for this and other reasons.