What is Threat Modeling in Cyber Security and Why is it Crucial?

What is Threat Modeling in Cyber Security?

In the current digital world, a vital issue that is worth answering is what is threat modeling in cyber security? Threat modeling has become crucial in the current world, whereby 79% of the respondents considered threat modeling as an important factor in the current year. But its implementation still comes as a challenge to most organizations.

Threat modeling is a business friendly, systematic way of thinking about, and documenting the protection of a system. It is based on gaining an adversary’s viewpoint while studying the system and aiming at the system’s potential vulnerabilities. This process is typically within the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) phases with the idea of making security to be ‘Embedded’ rather than being ‘Added’.

For 2024, specific trends expected to take the new threats are artificial intelligence, hence the need for elaborate threat modeling. For example, phishing campaigns are not just the use of various messages and invitations, but also other methods that organizations have to be ready to face.

Reports such as the “Cyber Threat Modeling” developed by MITRE and the “Threat Modeling – OWASP Cheat Sheet Series” by OWASP. With reference to the above analysis, the following articles and resources can be useful to organizations that wish to follow sound plans in threat modeling.

Definition of threat modeling

Now, let us consider deeper and answer the question: “What is threat modeling in cyber security”? Threat modeling could be one of the principles of threat assessment that helps to foresee possible threats in the sphere of information security. It comprises the assessment of risks, that is, the opportunities to produce invalid test results, as well as coming up with ways of checking for such risks or even coming up with procedures of dealing with such risks. It means that the process of evaluation of the quality of the system requires a close acquaintance with the system.

Threat modeling helps in analyzing and expressing threats and protections, the target of which is something valuable that needs protection. That is a formal way of expressing all facts that cause the security of an application. It can be applicable to software, applications, networks, systems, IOT devices as well as business processes.

A threat model typically includes:

Description of the subject to be modeled
Assumptions that can best be checked in the future as the dynamics of threat evolves are as follows
Potential threats to the system
The measures that can be implemented to handle each threat
A way of validating the model and threats, and verification of success of actions taken

For example, let us imagine an employee who discovers a flaw in a procedure that enables him/her to request extra working hours without obtaining their manager’s consent. If the basic security risk assessment was in threat modeling, it would find the above as a potential risk and look at the right response options.

How threat modeling fits into the broader field of cyber security

Having grasped the meaning of the term “what is threat modeling in cyber security,” it is equally vital to explore the role of threat modeling within the context of cyber security.

Threat modeling is a process that enables IT specialists to analyze potential security threats and risks, estimate their severity, and determine the measures to take to prevent or respond to attacks effectively and protect the IT assets. It is an anticipatory step organizations can take to guard against risks that might be lurking in the horizon.

In the cyber security field, threat modeling is a map that helps organizations navigate through the world of threats and allocate resources effectively. It assists in identifying persons most likely to cause an attack or hack into the system, point out potential entry points of attack, and determine the hardware and software that is most vulnerable.

For example, a threat model may find a threat where terminals in public places are without password protection. This makes it possible for an organization to encourage security features like passwording of all the terminals.

Different types of threat models

To answer the question, “What is threat modeling in cyber security?” thoroughly, it is crucial to underline the fact that there are various categories of threat models. Most of them have their specific approaches and tools to assess, evaluate, quantify, and categorize threats. undefined

STRIDE: Microsoft has developed the STRIDE model that helps in threat identification and categorizes it into six types: Spoofing, Tampering, Repudiation, Information Disclosure, Denial of Service, Elevation of Privilege.
PASTA (Process for Attack Simulation and Threat Analysis): This strategy revolves around seven steps, namely objectives clarification, technical coverage determination, the application breakdown, threat assessment, threat estimation, simulation, and final risk assessment.
CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System): CVSS is used as a method of quantifying the key factors of a threat and generating a CVSS score that denotes the susceptibility of the threat.
Trike: This is a risk-based method designed to give a protective, ‘лоcker’s eye view of the system.
Attack Trees: Thus, attack trees are a conceptual framework that systematically depicts security of systems considering the variety of attacks.

Still, each of these methodologies presents a different view and is applicable in various settings. For instance, STRIDE will help in developing the scheme of a certain software, while PASTA is best for when the system is already in place.

The 5-Step Process of Threat Modeling in Cyber Security

The answer to the question, “What is threat modeling in cyber security?” leads to the foundation of the system, a 5 step process. This systematic approach that is widely practiced by the organizations also offers a rational approach to evaluate the risks and countermeasures for security threats.

A survey conducted in 2021 also showed that 79% of the participants saw threat modeling as an important area to investigate. However, many organizations are still finding themselves having to implement a new plan or an update of the existing one. This further emphasizes the need of fully grasping and implementing the five-step threat modeling process.

In this section, you will get to know each step of the process. By the end of the lesson, you will be able to understand how you can implement each of these steps in your own organization that deals with cyber security.

Scope Your Work

The first important question that comes into the picture when one tries to define “what is threat modeling in cyber security” is “Scope Your Work”. This step is important because it gives a direction on the entire process of threat modeling.

In this phase, the primary objective is to develop an ’embodied understanding’ of the system you are currently implementing. This can be identifying the scope of the system, application or process for investigation. It is all about determining system software components, security measures, subject assets, and trust domains.

Scoping your work can involve several activities:

Drawing diagrams, often data flow diagrams.
Identifying entry points to see where a potential attacker could interact with the application.
Identifying “assets” that you want to protect.
Identifying trust levels that represent the access rights that the application will grant to external entities.

For instance, your threat assessment for a web application can involve user interface, the back-end code, the database, and any other services the application interfaces with.

Different reports suggest that as much as the risk of cyber security is on the rise, then there must be several approaches through which software development teams can integrate security measures into software. This however did not prevent a large number of organizations from either never having figured out or from having to figure out how to implement or update their approach to threat modeling. This shows that when you are applying threat modeling, your work must be scoped correctly as a beginning step.

Identify Threats

The second of the five building blocks for gaining clarity about ‘what is threat modeling in cyber security’ is to ‘Identify Threats’. This step deals with one’s ability to identify risks that can affect their system in terms of security.

In this phase you proceed systematically through your assets to try to identify what risks exist for them and what kind of attacks might head for them. This involves examination of different attack modes and acquiring a knowledge of the various potential opponents.

Threats are constraints in numerous ways in that there exist viruses, phishing scams, cyber attackers, and even normal users with special privileges. The Global Threat Report 2024 shows an increase in covert actions, and secrecy as the major characteristics of the cyber threat environment. The threat actor recognition increases in data exfiltration, cloud exploitation, and non-malware attacks demonstrate that our collectors forge ahead even in the Information Age of cyberspace.

For instance, a threat model could entail a risk involving terminals found in public places without passwords. This opens up the opportunity for organizations to focus on security and take steps like putting password protection on all terminals.

Analyze Vulnerabilities

The third step in answering the question ‘What is threat modeling in cyber security?’ is to know what “Analyze Vulnerabilities” means. This step involves analyzing your system in order to determine areas of vulnerability to threats.

During this phase, the assets go through systematic scans to identify the potential vulnerabilities and possible ways of exploitation. This entails identifying the vulnerability of the system and how the intruder would be able to exploit it.

A report stated that weaknesses in OT grew 88%, representing 690 threats in 2020 and 1,295 in 2021. This goes a long way to explain why vulnerability analysis is a crucial component of the threat modeling methodology.

For instance, a vulnerability could be a software bug, a misconfiguration or an easy-to-guess password. It would be useful to be aware of these risks so that you can guard against them.

Create Countermeasures or Safeguards

The next step when defining the subject of threat modeling in cyber security is to “Create Countermeasures or Safeguards”. This step is all about determining measures to guard the system against threats.

In this phase, one will determine possible measures for each threat. This might require putting in place a mitigation plan or using risk management accept/transfer/eliminate options.

A 2021 report said that 79% of organizations claimed that threat modeling is a priority, although 40% of them did not take actions or adjust their strategies. This shows why there is need to come up with good countermeasures or guard as a result of threat modeling.

Assess Your Work

The last step of threat modeling in cyber security is to “Assess Your Work”. This step focuses on assessing the efficiency of your threat model and the countermeasures you’ve developed.

In this phase, you ensure that you have addressed the threats and confirmed that the model reflects the system. This entails checking on the security of the system, reconsidering the threat model, and optimization when need be.

A survey conducted in 2022 showed that it took 327 days or about nine months to first detect and contain a breach. Thus, it stands to reason that threat modeling should include a periodic evaluation of your work.

Designveloper’s Thread Modeling Services

At Designveloper, we are aware of the significance of cyber security in the modern world and how detrimental the effects of hacks can be to any business. That’s why we provide professional threat modeling services! In as far as the cyber security field is concerned, our company offers a systematic approach to answering the question, what is threat modeling in cyber security.

Versatile Thread Modeling

Here at Designveloper, we offer detailed thread modeling services to help your every need.

Software Representation

We at Designveloper determine that a component of the answer to the basic question, “what is threat modeling in cyber security” involves the use of Software Representation. This process involves making a construction of all the inputs that determine the security of an application. To define it, you can think of it as looking at the application and everything that surrounds it through the lens of security.

Designveloper’s Thread Modeling Services

In 2021, it was discovered that a mere twenty-five percent of organizations did threat modeling at the initiation of SDE. This statistic alone underlines the need to adopt the practices of threat modeling from the early stages. That is why at Designveloper, we strive to be an active part of that 25% of organizations that take the initiative to create and implement such policies.

There are several methods that our team employs to develop a representation in software. They include creation of the data flow diagrams, identification of entry points and identification on trusts. For example, when developing a web application, one may add a client side representative of the application, server side for the application, database for the application, and any other APIs the application uses.

Threat Identification

At Designveloper, we believe that beyond knowing the concept of threat modelling in cyber security, one has to understand how these threats external and internal may manifest to the systems. This is where our Threat Identification services are of most use to you.

Globally, in 2023, a significant 48% of organizations and firms highlighted that they experienced an upsurge in cyber threats. Such a high figure clearly highlights such a threat identification process can be still a crucial factor in modern societies. At Designveloper, we pay attention to this problem and ensure that our company follows the best practice.

To check threats we have many techniques in our team. This includes, scanning files and directories and pointing out that it contains virus or malware, within its known database. For instance, we can use antivirus software that will help identify any threats which might be on your computer.

Mitigation Strategies

At Designveloper, we understand that knowing “what is threat modeling in cyber security” shall not only involve knowing threats but, importantly, knowing how to combat them. That is exactly why our “Mitigation Strategies” services are useful in this context.

Our team implements various stances to follow when making mitigation strategies. Cybersecurity risk assessment involves assessment of the organization networks and communication systems to identify risks, and network access controls involve limiting communication to authorized devices only while firewalls solo antivirus software should restrict access to unauthorized program or websites and viruses respectively; patch management should create a management schedule, while monitoring network traffic should be continuous; finally developing an incident response plan should involve preparing necessary options.

For example, if a threat model shows a risk that though terminals are located in open areas they are not protected by password then a security control could be set in engaging a password for all the terminals.

Evaluation

From our experience at Designveloper, “what is threat modeling in cyber security” cannot be defined solely by determining threats and developing defensive strategies, but also by assessing the efficacy of the latter. It is at this point that our “Evaluation” services prove most useful.

In order to measure the efficiency of the threat model along with the measures taken, our team employs different approaches. Some of the measures are conducting a cybersecurity risks assessment, putting into place network access controls, firewalls and antivirus applications, scheduling for routine patching, monitoring network traffic and developing an incident response plan.

For example, if a threat model is to outline a threat in which terminals in public areas are not password protected, the examination phase tests the current password protection standard, its effectiveness and existence of an improvement.