Data Security & Contract Upgrade Checklist

[quillaudits]

Type of request

• Add new content
• Update existing content

What content are you suggesting for?

Data Backup & Disaster Recovery

• Automated backups are configured for all critical databases, configurations, and off-chain state
• Backups are encrypted both at rest and in transit
• Backups are stored in geographically separate locations
• Backup retention and versioning policies are defined and documented
• Backup restoration procedures are tested periodically
• Access to backup systems is restricted via RBAC
• Backup operations are logged and auditable

Secure Storage & Encryption

• Sensitive data (PII, credentials, secrets, API keys) is clearly identified and classified
• Sensitive data is encrypted at rest using industry-standard algorithms (e.g., AES-256)
• Encryption keys are managed via a secure KMS or HSM
• Encryption keys are rotated periodically
• All internal and external communications enforce TLS 1.2+ encryption
• Secrets are not hardcoded and are managed via secure secret management tools

Third-Party Integrations

• All third-party services and integrations are inventoried
• Security posture of third-party providers is reviewed (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001)
• Third-party access follows the principle of least privilege
• API keys and credentials for third-party services are rotated regularly
• Third-party dependencies are monitored for known vulnerabilities
• Data protection and breach notification clauses exist in third-party agreements

Upgrade Governance & Documentation

• Upgrade architecture (proxy pattern, authorization model) is documented
• Upgrade roles and responsibilities are clearly defined
• Change management and approval process is documented
• Emergency pause and rollback procedures are defined
• Upgrade functions are protected by strict access controls
• Storage layout compatibility is verified between versions
• Initializers are correctly handled and protected against re-execution
• Unauthorized or accidental upgrades are prevented
• Upgrade contracts are deployed to relevant testnets
• State integrity is verified before and after upgrades
• Functional regression testing is performed
• Gas usage and performance impacts are evaluated
• Failure and rollback scenarios are simulated
• Upgrade contracts are independently audited
• Migration scripts are reviewed for correctness and determinism
• Storage layout changes are explicitly validated
• Authorization and upgrade execution paths are audited
• Upgrades are executed using multi-signature wallets
• Time-locks are applied where appropriate
• Upgrades occur within defined maintenance windows
• Real-time monitoring is enabled during upgrade execution

Why do you think this update or modification is needed

Upgrade Contract Security:
Upgrade mechanisms directly control the logic of live smart contracts, making them one of the highest-risk attack surfaces. Proper testing, audits, and controlled execution prevent unauthorized upgrades, state corruption, or fund loss. Secure upgrade processes ensure protocol evolution without compromising safety or decentralization.

Data Security & Privacy:
These controls protect user data from leaks, breaches, and accidental loss, which can permanently damage user trust and expose the project to legal and regulatory risk. Strong encryption, backups, and compliance practices ensure the system remains resilient even during failures or attacks. Without them, a single incident can lead to irreversible data loss or serious compliance violations.

Can you justify your argument or provide additional resources?

No response

Contribution intent

• I can provide/create this content myself
• I'm identifying a need for others to address

[mattaereal]

same as the previous issue, are you willing to help us out with this? :)