What is Technical Architecture?
Technical architecture describes the technical infrastructure and facilities required to support applications, data flows and business processes reliably, securely and manageably. It covers networks, servers, storage, integration, security and Cloud/physical components.
Technical architecture forms the underlying layer on which application architecture, information architecture and business architecture are built.
🧠 What falls under technical architecture?
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Network infrastructure | LAN/WAN, VLANs, firewalls, routers, load balancers |
| Compute and storage | Servers, workstations, containers, storage solutions |
| Middleware and integration | ESB, API gateways, message traffic, service buses |
| Cloud and virtualisation | IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, Kubernetes, hypervisors |
| Security facilities | Firewalls, proxies, identity providers, Security by Design |
| Monitoring & logging | Tools for availability, performance, incident detection |
🔁 Relationship with other architectural layers
| Architecture level | Link with technical architecture |
|---|---|
| Business Architecture | Processes set requirements for availability, speed and scalability |
| Information Architecture | Data storage, exposure and security must be technically supported |
| Application Architecture | Applications run on the infrastructure described by the technical architecture |
Without a stable technical architecture, no other layer can function reliably.
🏛 Technical architecture in a government context
| Architecture | Role of technical architecture |
|---|---|
| NORA | Describes generic functions such as hosting, networks, security, logging |
| GEMMA | Infrastructure layer for municipalities: cloud strategy, logging facilities, server management |
| WILMA | Technical support for water management and field information systems |
| MARIJ | Government-wide facilities such as infrastructure services, shared services, central government cloud |
🏭 Technical architecture in an OT context
In Operational Technology (OT), technical architecture is indispensable for:
| Application | Technical aspect |
|---|---|
| SCADA systems | Redundant servers, network segmentation, serial and TCP/IP couplings |
| Remote IO networks | Industrial switches, modems, edge devices |
| Industrial networks | VLAN structures, QoS, network segmentation |
| OT–IT integration | Gateways, firewalls, DMZ architecture, OPC-UA or MQTT couplings |
In OT, availability and determinism are often more important than scalability or flexibility.
🔐 Security within technical architecture
- Apply Security by Design in network and server design
- BIO, IEC 62443 or ISO 27001 as guidelines
- Segmentation, hardening, patch management and identity access management (IAM)
- Monitoring of infrastructure components for anomaly detection and forensics
🔧 Best practices
| Measure | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Use layered models | E.g. DMZ, internal zone, field level, management zone |
| Automate where possible | For example via Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) |
| Document dependencies | Crucial for Business Continuity and Incident Response |
| Make technology reusable | Standardise servers, storage, logging tools |
📌 In summary
Technical architecture is the foundation of a digital organisation. Without stable, secure and scalable infrastructure, processes, information and applications cannot function — both in IT and OT environments.