Overview
Threat modeling is a proactive security practice that helps developers and security professionals understand the attack surface of a system and identify potential weaknesses before they are built. It is a core component of the Secure Software Development Life Cycle (S-SDLC).
The Threat Modeling Process
- Define Objectives: What are we trying to protect?
- Decompose the System: Creating diagrams (e.g., Data Flow Diagrams) to understand how data moves through the system.
- Identify Threats: Using frameworks like STRIDE to find potential vulnerabilities.
- Evaluate Threats: Determining the likelihood and impact of each threat (e.g., using DREAD).
- Determine Countermeasures: Identifying the security controls needed to mitigate the threats.
Benefits
- Identifies security flaws early in the development cycle, reducing costs.
- Improves communication between developers and security teams.
- Provides a clear rationale for security requirements.