✅ Stand up a hardened, highly available Hardware Security Module (HSM) foundation and integrate the first critical use case (e.g., code signing or DB/TDE master keys), with day-2 runbooks and audit-ready evidence.
Sidechain Security — Encryption-First, Evidence-Forward
Outcomes (What you leave with)
- HA HSM cluster (cloud-managed or on-prem) with M-of-N quorum and secure backups/escrow
- First workload live (e.g., code signing or database/TDE) through KMS + IdP + SIEM integrations
- Rotation on rails: envelope pattern + rotation schedule tested
- Failover & restore drills completed with recorded timings
- Evidence Pack: key inventory, algorithms/lengths, rotation logs, approvals, denied decrypts, ceremony/failover reports
- Ops runbooks (provision, rotate, backup/restore, break-glass) + knowledge transfer
Scope (What’s Included)
- HSM selection/confirmation (cloud-managed partition or appliance)
- Cluster build: HA/DR topology, admin hardening, MFA + M-of-N policies
- Secure backup/escrow; firmware baseline and governance plan
- Integrations: KMS, IdP (SAML/OIDC), SIEM log shipping
- First use case: key generation/import, policy binding, performance baselining, cutover
- Evidence automation: dashboards + quarterly pack template
Out of scope (this sprint): Organization-wide key migrations (additional waves), bespoke app refactors, cross-region multi-tenant expansions.
Timeline (4–6 weeks)
Week 1 — Plan & Design
- Finalize use case and success metrics (RTO/RPO, throughput, rotation SLO)
- Network/firewall & access prerequisites; firmware/licensing check
- Architecture: HA/DR, quorum model, backup/escrow pattern
Deliverable (End of Week 1): Baseline report + draft gap register
Week 2 — Build the Vault
- Instantiate HSM(s); configure partitions, roles, MFA, M-of-N
- Enable logging & health checks; secure backup/escrow run
Week 3 — Integrate
- Wire KMS ↔ HSM, IdP, SIEM; generate/import keys
- Policy binding (who/what/where/when); throughput & latency baselines
Week 4 — Prove & Cutover
- Rotation rehearsal (envelope); failover + restore drill
- Production cutover for the first workload; monitoring and alert tuning
- Deliver Evidence Pack v1 + ops runbooks + admin training
Weeks 5-6 (Optional Expand)
- Add second workload (TLS/CA roots or additional DBs)
- Regional DR and performance tuning; SOP refinements
Deliverables
- HSM HA design diagram & config ledger (sanitized)
- Quorum & access policy (M-of-N, admin roles, break-glass)
- Backup/escrow procedure + restore verification report
- KMS/IdP/SIEM integration notes + dashboards
- Test reports: rotation, failover, restore (with timings)
- Evidence Pack template (keys, rotations, approvals, denied decrypts)
- Runbooks & training (recorded handover)
Success Criteria & KPIs
- Keys never leave HSM boundary (validated)
- Failover/restore drills: 100% pass within target RTO ≤ 4h
- Rotation SLO: ≥ 99% on time (envelope pattern)
- Quorum coverage: 100% for sensitive operations
- SIEM visibility: key-use/denied decrypts streaming with alerts
Assumptions & Client Inputs
- Non-prod and change window for cutover
- Network/firewall rules, rack/VM tenancy (if appliance), cloud access
- IdP integration (admin groups) and SIEM destination
- Named SMEs for DB/app or code-signing pipeline
Team & RACI (lightweight)
- Accountable: Client Sponsor / CISO
- Responsible: Sidechain Lead Engineer (HSM) + Client Platform/DB Owner
- Consulted: Security/Compliance, Network, Identity, Observability
- Informed: App Owners, Audit/Legal
Optional Add-Ons
- Code-signing pipeline hardening (Sigstore / Notary integration)
- BYOK/CMEK standardization across AWS/Azure/GCP
- Quarterly ceremony facilitation and evidence refresh
Next-Step
- Pick the first use case (code signing vs. DB/TDE).
- Confirm form factor (cloud-managed vs. appliance).
- Schedule a kickoff and provide prerequisite access.