What we review
We examine how your system is designed, not just how it behaves under attack. The goal is to identify architectural patterns that introduce systemic risk — issues that can't be fixed with a code patch because they're baked into the structure.
Trust boundaries
Where do different trust levels meet? We map every boundary and identify where assumptions are too permissive between your backend, frontend, admin dashboards, and third-party webhooks.
Secret management
How do API keys, database credentials, and encryption keys travel through your system? In a secrets manager, environment variables on developer laptops, or hardcoded in a config committed 18 months ago?
Integration patterns
Every external integration (payment processors, KYC providers, banking APIs) introduces a trust assumption. We review how your system validates external data, handles failures, and protects against integration-layer attacks.
Internal surface exposure
Admin dashboards, support tools, internal APIs, and debug interfaces. These often have weaker access controls than customer-facing surfaces but more powerful capabilities.
Data flow and storage
How does BVN, PAN, and transaction data flow through your system? Where is it stored, cached, logged, or serialized? We trace data paths and identify points where PII could leak.
Service-to-service auth
In microservices, internal services often trust each other implicitly. We review how services authenticate to each other, how network boundaries are enforced, and what happens if one service is compromised.
Over-trusted internal dashboard
The customer support dashboard shared the same database connection string as the production API — with full read-write permissions on all tables. Any support agent could theoretically modify any customer's balance or KYC status. The application-level permissions were fine; the infrastructure-level trust boundary was nonexistent.
Know where your architecture's trust assumptions break down.
Request an Architecture ReviewRelated services and resources
Architecture reviews pair naturally with penetration testing (which validates the running implementation) and vulnerability assessments (which map tactical weaknesses). For API-specific authorization testing, see our dedicated service. If you're a startup, see our startup engagement model.
Frequently asked questions
How is an architecture review different from a penetration test?
A pentest exploits existing vulnerabilities in a running application. An architecture review examines the design decisions and trust boundaries that create or prevent vulnerabilities. A pentest asks 'can I break in?' An architecture review asks 'why is this wall made of glass?'
Do you need access to our source code?
Architecture diagrams, data flow docs, and infrastructure topology are essential. Source code access is beneficial but not always required. We'll discuss optimal access during scoping.
When should we get an architecture review?
Before a major migration, before adding a new payment integration, before onboarding enterprise customers, or after a significant security incident. Architecture reviews are highest-value when they can influence design decisions before code is written.
Can you review microservices architectures?
Yes. Microservices introduce specific challenges around service-to-service authentication, secret distribution, network segmentation, and shared data stores. We review inter-service trust assumptions, often the weakest link in modern fintech platforms.