Overview
Pitt Digital Security's Architecture and Engineering team helps departments and schools plan, design, and implement secure infrastructure and security solutions that fit their operational needs and risk posture. The team translates security requirements into practical technical guidance, spanning cloud, endpoint, identity, and networking, and supports each engagement with established cybersecurity and risk frameworks.
In addition to serving university departments and schools, the team provides architectural guidance and engineering support for Pitt Digital's broader security operations, including the tools and infrastructure that enable security monitoring, incident response, and governance functions.
Whether you need help assessing your current environment, selecting the right security tools, or building out a secure architecture, the team is available to consult and support your efforts.
Detail
Security Architecture
Strategy and Design
A well-defined security strategy is the foundation of a proactive and consistent approach to protecting university systems and data. Pitt Digital Security works with departments and schools to develop strategies that are grounded in their specific operational context, covering areas such as cloud security, endpoint protection, identity and access management, and network security. This process involves planning, coordination, and close consultation to ensure the strategy is practical and aligned with your priorities.
Collaboration and Interface with Enterprise Architects
Pitt Digital Security works closely alongside Pitt Digital's Enterprise Architects and leadership teams to ensure security considerations are built into technology planning from the start. This collaboration helps Pitt Digital and our customers identify needs and evaluate solutions that are both technically sound and aligned with university standards, operational priorities, and budgets.
Security Tooling
Based on a security assessment of your project or environment, Pitt Digital Security may leverage existing university security tools or recommend new tools and services to address identified risks and threats. The team supports the full lifecycle of security tooling, including:
- Implementation — deploying tools in your environment
- Configuration — tailoring settings to your security requirements
- Tuning — refining tool behavior over time to reduce noise and improve effectiveness
- Operation and Maintenance — developing repeatable processes and procedures for keeping tools operational and up to date
Examples of the types of university security tools the team works with include:
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Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) — strengthens security across cloud environments by continuously identifying misconfigurations and security gaps
- Privileged Access Management (PAM) — manages, controls, and audits privileged accounts and provides secure remote access to sensitive university assets and systems
- Web Application Firewall (WAF) — protects Internet-facing web servers and applications from advanced web-based attacks
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) — analyzes log data from critical systems and applications for anomalous and suspicious activity
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Extended Detection and Response (XDR) — provides unified threat detection and response across endpoints, identities, email, and cloud applications
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Data Security and Compliance — supports data classification, protection, and compliance management by identifying and securing sensitive information
Solution Design and Engineering
Effective security solutions start with a clear understanding of the environment. Pitt Digital Security works closely with system and service owners across the University to assess the threat landscape, understand operational processes, and identify critical data assets that should be protected.
Based on that assessment, the team can then further assist with:
- Evaluating, designing, and implementing appropriate security systems and controls
- Selecting and implementing an appropriate security framework, such as CIS Cloud Benchmarks, ISO 27001, or NIST 800-171
- Developing secure system and cloud configuration guidance
- Creating architecture and data flow diagrams to support security planning and compliance
For framework adoption, Pitt Digital Security will help you choose an approach that fits your environment and prioritizes implementation steps in a logical, manageable order.
Get Started
To get started, please submit a request through the
Pitt Digital Service Portal. A member of the Security team will follow up to discuss your needs and determine next steps.