[Verse 1]
When building systems, here's the golden rule
Start with nothing, that's your security tool
Every door is locked, every gate is closed
Until you say exactly what gets exposed
No assumptions, no shortcuts to take
Every permission is a choice you make
[Chorus]
Deny by default, that's the way to start
Explicit authorization, the beating heart
Four fail-safe defaults keep your system tight
Nothing gets through without permission's light
Deny by default, make them prove their case
Only documented access gets a place
[Verse 2]
Information systems lock it down complete
No back doors open, no access so sweet
Configure the barriers, build them up high
Every user must authenticate and try
When in doubt, the answer's always no
Until the paperwork says let it go
[Chorus]
Deny by default, that's the way to start
Explicit authorization, the beating heart
Four fail-safe defaults keep your system tight
Nothing gets through without permission's light
Deny by default, make them prove their case
Only documented access gets a place
[Bridge]
Document the reasons, write it down clear
Every granted access, keep the records near
When the auditors come knocking at your door
You'll have the proof of what each access is for
Failure modes should always lock it tight
Better safe than sorry in the security fight
[Verse 3]
Four defaults standing like a fortress wall
Fail secure, fail closed, deny them all
Minimal privilege, least access you give
That's how secure systems learn to live
Default deny is your first line defense
Making attackers jump through every fence
[Chorus]
Deny by default, that's the way to start
Explicit authorization, the beating heart
Four fail-safe defaults keep your system tight
Nothing gets through without permission's light
Deny by default, make them prove their case
Only documented access gets a place
[Outro]
When systems fail, they should fail secure
That's the principle that will endure
Deny by default, keep it locked down tight
That's management controls done right