IEFRA2 — Weaknesses & Gaps Sec 1.8

"12.3 Weaknesses & Gaps
There doesn't appear to be any explanation of How These Principles Interconnect.
(1) The section presents individual principles, but it does not describe how they work together to form a cohesive architectural approach which I think is a major purpose of the document..
(2) A brief introductory paragraph linking them would help.
(3) Same old problem, ""Defense-in-Depth"" of capitalization. I know this is second nature to you, but to a newbie, this needs more meat.
(3.1) ""Implementing defense-in-depth to the data level"" is listed, but there is no explanation of how this is achieved in IEF-RA.
(3.2) Does this involve layered encryption, multi-factor authentication, data labeling, or security
zoning?
(3.3) A sentence clarifying how IEF-RA applies defense-in-depth would strengthen the section.
Best Practices vs. Core Principles Are Not Clearly Differentiated
I think you should briefly define these terms in the context of IEF-RA. While their general meanings are widely understood, their specific application to IEF-RA is not explicitly stated in the text. Without a definition, readers might wonder:
(4) Are fundamental principles non-negotiable architectural constraints?
(5) Are best practices optional recommendations, or are they expected requirements?
Since clarity is crucial in technical specifications, a brief explanation could prevent misinterpretation and make the document more precise.
I would like to:
Suggest: Add brief high-level introduction, something such as:
""The design of the IEF-RA is guided by two key categories of principles: Fundamental Principles and General Best Practices.
Fundamental Principles represent the core architectural and security tenets that define how IEF-RA operates. These principles must be adhered to in any compliant implementation of the framework. They establish foundational concepts such as policy-driven security, data-centric enforcement, defense-in-depth, and interoperability.
General Best Practices provide guidelines for implementation, integration, and operational efficiency. While they are not strict requirements, they are highly recommended to ensure scalability, maintainability, and alignment with industry standards. These best practices emphasize reuse of open standards, vendor neutrality, lifecycle management, and model-driven approaches."""