Sentinel Privilege Manager — System Architecture
This document describes the logical architecture, major system components, communication paths, deployment model, integrations, and security boundaries of Sentinel Privilege Manager (SPM).
1. Overview
Sentinel Privilege Manager is an enterprise privilege management platform designed to control and monitor elevated access to applications and endpoints.
The platform consists of a centralized management layer and endpoint agents. Administrators use the web console to configure policies, manage users, review privilege activity, and generate reports.
Architectural Goals
- Centralize privilege policy administration.
- Enforce privilege controls at the endpoint.
- Provide visibility into privilege activity.
- Integrate with enterprise identity systems.
- Support scalable endpoint management.
- Maintain separation between management and enforcement.
2. High-Level Architecture
The SPM architecture is organized into presentation, application, data, endpoint, and external integration layers.
3. System Components
| Component | Layer | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Web Console | Presentation | Provides the administrative interface for users and administrators. |
| API Gateway | Application | Receives API requests and routes them to the appropriate backend service. |
| Policy Engine | Application | Evaluates privilege policies and determines the applicable access behavior. |
| Sync Service | Application | Coordinates policy and configuration synchronization with managed endpoints. |
| Application Database | Data | Stores platform configuration, users, policies, and related application data. |
| Audit Store | Data | Stores privilege-related activity and audit information. |
| SPM Agent | Endpoint | Applies privilege policies and monitors relevant endpoint activity. |
4. Data Flow
4.1 Administrative Policy Flow
Policy configuration originates in the web console and is processed by the application services before being synchronized to managed endpoints.
4.2 Endpoint Synchronization Flow
4.3 Privilege Event Flow
5. Deployment Topology
A typical enterprise deployment separates user-facing services, application services, data services, and managed endpoints.
| Zone | Components | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Client Network | Web Browser, SPM Agent | Provides administrator access and endpoint enforcement. |
| Application Zone | Web Console, API Gateway, Policy Engine, Sync Service | Hosts the central SPM application. |
| Data Zone | Application Database, Audit Store | Stores application and audit data. |
| Integration Zone | Identity Provider | Provides external identity and authentication services. |
6. External Integrations
SPM can integrate with enterprise systems to support identity, authentication, and operational workflows.
| Integration | Purpose | Interaction |
|---|---|---|
| Identity Provider | User authentication and identity information. | Authentication / API |
| Directory Service | User and group synchronization. | Directory protocol |
| Monitoring Platform | Operational monitoring and alerting. | API / Events |
| Ticketing System | Linking privilege requests to service requests. | REST API |
7. Security Architecture
Security controls are applied across the application, communication, identity, endpoint, and data layers.
| Control Area | Architectural Consideration |
|---|---|
| Authentication | Users authenticate through the configured identity mechanism. |
| Authorization | Administrative capabilities are controlled through role-based permissions. |
| Communication | Application and endpoint communication should use secured transport. |
| Privilege Enforcement | Policies are enforced at the managed endpoint. |
| Auditability | Privilege activity and administrative actions are recorded for review. |
| Data Protection | Sensitive configuration and audit data should be protected according to organizational security requirements. |
8. Availability Considerations
Enterprise deployments should consider availability requirements for central management services and endpoint operations.
- Application services may be deployed redundantly where required.
- Database availability should align with the organization's recovery requirements.
- Monitoring should cover application services, database connectivity, and endpoint communication.
- Backup and recovery procedures should be defined separately for the deployed environment.
- Endpoint behavior during temporary communication interruptions should be defined by the product configuration and security requirements.
9. Communication Paths
The following logical communication paths represent the primary interactions between SPM components.
| Source | Destination | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Web Console | API Gateway | Administrative API requests. |
| API Gateway | Policy Engine | Policy and privilege operations. |
| Policy Engine | Database | Policy and configuration persistence. |
| Sync Service | SPM Agent | Policy and configuration synchronization. |
| SPM Agent | Audit Store | Privilege activity reporting through the management layer. |
| SPM | Identity Provider | Authentication and identity operations. |
10. Document Information
| Document Owner | Architecture / Product Documentation |
|---|---|
| Document Type | System Architecture Document |
| Version | 1.0 |
| Status | Sample |
| Review Frequency | During major architecture or product changes |