0.2 The "Walled Garden" of Information (Openness vs. Secrecy)

Information architecture within the organization operates on a strictly bifurcated model: an internal ecosystem of unrestricted data flow protected by an external perimeter of absolute containment. This "Walled Garden" approach ensures that while internal engineering velocity is accelerated by radical transparency, client intellectual property remains hermetically sealed against external exposure. The security of client trade secrets — specifically Gerber files, firmware binaries, and bill of materials (BOM) data — isboth the primary existentialdriver constraintof onefficiency operations.and the most significant vulnerability in a manufacturing enterprise. A robust quality system requires establishing a clear boundary — a Walled Garden — that maximizes the flow of process knowledge internally (enabling speed and continuous improvement) while enforcing absolute secrecy over confidential business and proprietary design data. This balance is mandatory for competitive advantage and legal defense.

0.2.1 RadicalThe TransparencyMandate for Internal Openness (Internal)The Garden)

OperationalThe efficiencydefault reliesstatus for all internal process data and manufacturing documentation must be transparent. Restricting essential information leads directly to waste (Waiting) and flawed Root Cause Analysis (RCA).

Process Knowledge Flow

All process-related information must be openly accessible to every relevant operator, technician, and engineer on decentralized decision-making, which requires universal access to context. Therefore, the defaultfactory classification for internal organizational data is Open.floor.

• FinancialStandard Health:Work: Revenue,All burnWork rate,Instructions (WIs), assembly procedures, and marginquality data are published to internal dashboards to enable cost-aware engineering decisions.
• Error Rates: First Pass Yield (FPY) and Defect Per Million Opportunities (DPMO) metrics are broadcast live without sanitization. Hiding defect data is a violation of the "Just Culture" protocol.
• Strategic Roadmap: Forward-looking technology stacks and capacity planning documents are accessible to allow personnel to align skill acquisition with future requirements.

Access is restricted only for Personnel Identifying Information (PII) and specific legal constraintsstandards (e.g., NDA-boundIPC M&Alimits) activity)must be openly accessible to personnel executing those steps.

Problem Solving Data: Data used for process analysis (e.g., SPC charts, live torque logs, Defect Paremeters, machine error codes) must be available across functional teams (Quality, Engineering, Operations). This enables timely cross-functional problem-solving (Gemba, Kaizen).

The MES Bridge: The Manufacturing Execution System (MES) must present WIs, assembly drawings, and current process status in a unified, accessible interface, ensuring all personnel are working from the same source of truth.

Physical Control (Clean Desk Mandate)

Internal data must be immediately secured when not in use to prevent visual leakage.

• Clean Desk Policy: Documentation, build schedules, and test logs must be immediately put away or shielded. Confidential documents left unattended are a critical risk.
• Screen Security: Computers must use automatic screen locking when unattended.

0.2.2 FortressExternal SecrecyControl (External)The Wall)

While internalAll data flowsmust freely,be clientclassified based on its criticality and sensitivity. Access must be governed by the Need-to-Know principle, ensuring individuals only see the data traversesrequired afor "Zero-Trust"their network segment. The IP Firewall mandates strict isolation of client assets.role.

Information Hierarchy and Access Mandate

Digital data systems must enforce controls based on these tiers:

TheTier	Sensitivity	Example Data	Access Control
Internal Process	Low Risk	WIs, Safety Procedures, Standard Work Time.	Restricted to production floor personnel.
Confidential IP	High Firewall(Proprietary Protocols:Design)	Final PCB Gerber files, Schematics, Custom ASIC source code, Thermal modeling data.	Engineering, Design, and Executive authorization only.
Restricted/Financial	Extreme (Legal/Business)	Supplier pricing contracts, Forecast volumes, Financials, Employee HR records.	System-level or executive authorization only.

External Communication Protocol

Sharing proprietary information outside the organization is the highest risk.

• Gerber & ODB++ Files:Mandate: ManufacturingConfidential data is(IP, storedSchematics, onPricing) air-gappedmay only be shared with customers or VLAN-segregatedsuppliers repositoriesafter accessiblea onlysigned toNon-Disclosure assignedAgreement project engineers and CAM operators. Transfer to personal devices or cloud storage outside the approved domain(NDA) is grounds for immediate termination.confirmed.
• FirmwareIP & Binaries:Protection: CustomerWhen firmwarecommunicating imageswith andsuppliers, signing keys are treated as munitions-grade assets. They must be stored in encrypted vaults (HSM) and injected into devicesprovide only viathe securednecessary production programmers.
• Trade Secrets: Any unique process parameterinformation (e.g., aonly customthe reflowdimensions profileof forthe crimp terminal, not the schematic of the mating board).
• Visitor Protocol: All visitors must sign a proprietaryvisitor's sensor) is classified as a client trade secretlog and be escorted. Visitors must not be documentedblocked infrom sharedviewing knowledgescreens, basesdocuments, withoutor explicitequipment redaction.containing Confidential data.

0.2.3 Zero-TrustAudit Policy:and DataSystem SanitizationPartitioning

The usephysical handling of clientconfidential data formust "Processbe Improvement," "Case Studies," or "Marketing" is strictly regulated. A Zero-Trust policy applieslinked to alldigital rawsecurity data.controls.

• MandatoryDigital Sanitization:Partitioning: BeforeHighly anysensitive client dataIP (PCBe.g., layouts,encryption DFMkeys, reports,source failurecode, analysisfinal photos)test issource shared outside the specific project team — even internally for training — itcode) must be sanitized.segregated and stored on physically or digitally partitioned systems, isolated from the general MES and production networks.
• SanitizationData Criteria:Redundancy:
  •  The Audit Trail must track all access attempts to Confidential or Restricted data, logging Logoswho accessed what and Silk Screen:when.
  • Consequence: AllViolation vendorof markingsthe mustinformation behierarchy blurred or removed.
  • Part Numbers: MPNs must be redacted or replaced with generic placeholders.
  • Proprietary Geometries: Unique circuit traces or mechanical interlocks must be obscured.

0.2.4 Clean Desk & Screen Policy

Visual espionage posesis a significantcritical riskbreach inof both factorytrust and remotea environments.mandatory Physicaltrigger for disciplinary and digitallegal workspaces must remain neutral zones.

• Factory Floor: Physical prints, travelers, and stencils must be returned to secure storage immediately after use. Leaving proprietary drawings on workbenches during breaks is prohibited.action.
• Digital Workspaces:
  • Auto-Lock: Workstations must force an auto-lock after 5 minutes of inactivity.
  • Screen Discipline: Monitors must be positioned away from public sightlines (windows, hallways).
  • Remote Protocol: During video calls, the background must be blurred or neutral. Screen sharing must be limited to the specific application window, never the full desktop, to prevent inadvertent display of notification toasters or file names.

Final Checklist

Security DomainMandate	OperationalCriteria	Verification MandateAction
Internal AccessOpenness	DefaultProcess knowledge (WIs, SPC data, torque logs) is transparent and readily accessible.	MES system verifies all current WIs are accessible to openall accessoperators foron financials,the error rates, and roadmaps to enable decision velocity.line.
Client IP StorageClassification	GerberAll data is categorized into a mandatory Information Hierarchy (Internal $\to$ Restricted).	Audit confirms high-level BOM and firmwarefinancial filesdata mustare residenot onaccessible segregated,by access-controlledgeneral repositoriesproduction only.staff.
DataIP UsageProtection	Use of clientConfidential data for(Schematics, Source Code) is only shared after a signed NDA is confirmed.	Audit verifies internal trainingpersonnel orcomply casewith studiesthe isNeed-to-Know prohibitedaccess without strict sanitization (redaction).principle.
Physical Security	"Clean Desk"Desk policyPolicy is mandatory; noscreens proprietaryauto-lock drawings or hardware leftwhen unattended.	Visitors are always escorted and blocked from viewing critical data on the floor.
VisualIntegrity SecurityProtection	ScreensHighly mustsensitive auto-lock;data remoteis screenstored sharingon mustpartitioned/isolated besystems.	IT limitedsecurity toaudit specificconfirms applicationdata windows.is protected from unauthorized network egress.