Build Safer Systems with Cyber Threat Modeling

Cyberattacks are getting smarter and more frequent each day. This is why it's crucial to incorporate secure systems right from the beginning and not only after a security issue occurs. One of the most effective ways to do this is via the modeling of cyber threats.

It will give you the full idea of what can be happening and how to prevent it from happening.

What Is Cyber Threat Modeling?

Modeling cyber-security threats threat modeling is an method to analyze your system and posing important questions such as:

What is it that we are building?

• What can go wrong?

• 
  

• We can do what we can to stop it?

• 
  

• Did we get it done correctly?

When you're asking these what is threat modeling questions suggestions, you'll be able to think like a hacker, and make sure your system is secure and protected.

Why Is It Important?

Most security issues stem from a mistake made in design or setting. Threat modeling helps you:

• Be aware of issues before releasing the system

• 
  

• Reduce time and expense by avoiding issues. Repairing problems later on will cost more.

• 
  

• Be sure to follow security guidelines, like those from NIST, OWASP, or ISO standards.

• 
  

• Make sure your employees are educated so they're all more aware of security

• 
  

• Generally, threat modeling teaches how to make systems less vulnerable to hacking.

Multiple Ways to Threat Model

There are a variety of popular methods you can try:

STRIDE: Examines six typical types of threats: Tampering, Spoofing and Repudiation, information leaks, Denial of Service and elevation of privilege.

DREAD: Helps you assess the risk of a security threat by assessing the severity of damage, reproducibility Exploitability, Affected Users and Discoverability.

PASTA A step-by -step procedure that evaluates the amount of risk the threat poses to your company.

Attack Trees: Easy-to-understand diagrams illustrating how attackers might attempt to hack your system.

Choose the best option for your task.

How to Get Started

You don't need to be an experienced in security to start threat modeling. Just follow these easy steps:

Choose what to model. It could be a feature or an application, or even your entire system.

Draw the system in sketch form - Show the way things are linked and where data flows and the places where the need for trust is essential.

Find dangers - Use STRIDE or a different approach to look for problems throughout the entire component.

Note the threats Mark the ones that are most crucial.

Fix the weaknesses - Install security measures or modify the design to ensure the system is secure.

Be sure to check it frequently - As your computer grows then you should update your system to remain safe.

A Simple Example

Imagine that you are developing an online file-sharing service. Threat modeling may help you uncover problems like:

• Someone is copying files while they're uploaded

• 
  

• Hackers gaining admin-level access

• 
  

• Files being stored unencrypted

• 
  

• There are no logs of who accessed what files.

It is possible to fix them with HTTPS by limiting permissions, using encryption and enabling the ability to log.

Make Threat Modeling Part of Your Process

Do not treat risk modeling just as an added-on idea. Include it into the development cycle,

particularly in the case of DevOps as well as DevSecOps. It is possible to use tools such as Microsoft Threat Modeling Tool, OWASP Threat Dragon, and IriusRisk to create and keep your models up to date.

Conclusion

Modeling cyber threats is an best method of creating safer systems. It lets you identify vulnerabilities before your adversaries even consider doing it. It's easy, time-saving and helps keep your security conscious team.