Threat Modeling

Simple Definition for Beginners:

Threat Modeling is a structured approach to identifying and analyzing potential cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and risks in software systems or applications.

Common Use Example:

A software development team conducts threat modeling sessions to assess potential security risks and vulnerabilities in their application design, helping them prioritize security measures and mitigation strategies.

Technical Definition for Professionals:

Threat Modeling is a systematic process used in cybersecurity and software development to identify, assess, and prioritize potential threats, vulnerabilities, and risks associated with a system, network, or application.

It involves analyzing the system’s architecture, data flow, components, functionalities, and external interfaces to identify potential attack vectors, security weaknesses, and entry points for malicious actors.

Threat Modeling aims to proactively address security concerns by identifying potential threats early in the development lifecycle, enabling organizations to implement appropriate security controls, countermeasures, and risk mitigation strategies.

Common methodologies and tools used in Threat Modeling include STRIDE (Spoofing, Tampering, Repudiation, Information Disclosure, Denial of Service, Elevation of Privilege), DREAD (Damage, Reproducibility, Exploitability, Affected Users, Discoverability), attack trees, and threat modeling workshops.