Contributor: Anthony Dezonno, Chief Engineer, Boeing
Modern systems do not operate in isolation. They function as part of intricate, interconnected ecosystems. From defense networks and power grids to healthcare infrastructure and industrial control systems, critical systems rely on seamless, real-time integration of software and hardware components. And in that complexity lies a growing vulnerability.
Today’s threat landscape doesn’t just target software bugs or misconfigured firewalls—it exploits the gaps where systems connect, where assumptions go untested, and where security wasn’t built in from the start. That’s why organizations with high-security needs must go beyond traditional cybersecurity practices and reimagine how their systems are architected, integrated, and validated.
The Systems Software Integrator (SSI) framework provides a forward-thinking approach to this challenge, especially through its emphasis on the competency of “System Integration Planning and Risk Mitigation.”
This competency recognizes that security and reliability in critical systems are not just achieved through strong individual components, but through intentional, secure integration. Integration is where trust boundaries are defined, data pathways established, and interdependencies exposed. Without rigorous planning and risk mitigation at this stage, even the most secure subsystems can introduce systemic vulnerabilities.
Organizations that adopt an SSI-aligned approach gain several strategic advantages:
This isn’t about compliance—it’s about confidence. In an era where adversaries look for the weakest link in the chain, integration is often the deciding factor between a secure system and an exposed one.
For mission-critical and high-security environments, defending systems means transforming integration into a deliberate act of cybersecurity. The SSI framework doesn’t solve the problem for you—but it offers the structure and guidance to get it right.
The future of cybersecurity isn’t patchwork—it’s integrated. And that future starts at the point where systems meet.
Learn More and Take the Next Step
Anthony Dezonno serves as Chief Engineer for Boeing’s Open Source Program Office. He specializes in intellectual property concerns surrounding engineering. He is listed as inventor in over 100 patents worldwide, and referenced in more than 2,000 patents. He has a broad skillset that includes innovation & intellectual property management, program management, project management, open source licensing, hardware engineering, systems development, engineering & supplier management, software export & import requirements.