A security architect at a large financial services company is developing a document to help software development teams improve the security of their applications. The document outlines recommended practices for input validation, offers suggestions for using approved cryptographic libraries, and provides examples of secure coding patterns. The introduction to the document explicitly states that these are best practices and that development teams are encouraged, but not required, to follow them. Which type of security documentation does this BEST describe?
The correct answer is a guideline. Guidelines are non-mandatory recommendations that provide best practices and helpful advice to achieve security goals. Unlike policies, which are high-level mandatory statements, or standards, which are specific mandatory requirements, guidelines offer flexibility. Procedures are detailed, step-by-step instructions for performing a specific task, which is different from the advisory nature of the document described.
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What is the difference between guidelines, policies, and standards?
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Why are guidelines considered flexible and not mandatory?