Architectural tactics are design decisions intended to improve some system quality factor. Since their initial
formulation, they have been formalized, compared with patterns and associated to styles. However, the initial set
of tactics for security has only been refined once. We have examined the tactics set and classification from the
viewpoint of security research, and concluded that some tactics would be better described as principles or policies,
some are not needed, and others do not cover the functions needed to secure systems, which makes them not very
useful for designers. We propose here a refined set and classification of architectural tactics for security, which
we consider more appropriate than the original and the previously refined sets. We also suggest a possible
realization for this modified set. Finally, we conclude that patterns can be complementary and not alternatives
because they can be used together: patterns can realize tactics.
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