System Architecture & Data Flow Diagrams

This question asks for visual maps of how your software is built and how data moves through your systems. Think of it like providing a blueprint of your house to a security expert—they want to see where all the doors, windows, and valuable items are located. These diagrams show how different parts of your application connect and where customer data travels.

Without clear architecture documentation, security reviews can drag on for months, delaying or killing enterprise deals. These diagrams are essential for demonstrating security maturity and helping customers understand their risk exposure. They're also crucial for your own incident response—when something goes wrong, you need to know exactly how systems connect to contain the issue quickly.

Many companies provide overly technical diagrams that security reviewers can't understand, or conversely, diagrams so simplified they lack meaningful detail. Another common error is having outdated diagrams that don't reflect current architecture, which raises red flags about your documentation practices overall.