The deployment of the IBM Agent Connect Framework (ACF) within enterprise environments requires robust security and governance measures. This guide outlines best practices to ensure secure, compliant, and trustworthy agent implementations.

Use this checklist to ensure your ACF implementation follows security best practices:

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Authentication & Authorization

  • Implement strong authentication (API keys, OAuth, etc.)
  • Implement role-based access control
  • Validate all authentication tokens and credentials
  • Implement secure session management

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Data Protection

  • Use HTTPS for all communications
  • Encrypt sensitive data at rest
  • Implement data minimization practices
  • Handle PII according to applicable regulations
  • Implement secure data deletion policies

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Input Validation & Sanitization

  • Validate all input parameters
  • Sanitize user-provided content
  • Implement content filtering
  • Validate request formats and schemas

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Audit & Compliance

  • Implement comprehensive logging
  • Maintain detailed audit trails
  • Ensure compliance with relevant regulations (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.)
  • Implement regular security reviews and assessments

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Rate Limiting & DoS Protection

  • Implement rate limiting
  • Implement resource usage limits
  • Monitor for unusual patterns of activity
  • Have a plan for responding to DoS attacks

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Integration Security

  • Secure integration with watsonx Orchestrate
  • Secure integration with other systems and services
  • Implement secure API design principles
  • Validate all third-party components and dependencies

For more information on security and governance, consult the following resources: