Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of using different colors in collaborative editing, as suggested in the content?
What is the primary purpose of using different colors in collaborative editing, as suggested in the content?
- To make the diagram look aesthetically pleasing.
- To categorize threats based on their severity.
- To highlight the most important parts of the diagram.
- To visually differentiate contributions from different participants. (correct)
According to the content, it is advisable to threat model an entire system at once to ensure comprehensive coverage.
According to the content, it is advisable to threat model an entire system at once to ensure comprehensive coverage.
False (B)
Name one collaboration tool mentioned in the text as being successfully used for threat modeling.
Name one collaboration tool mentioned in the text as being successfully used for threat modeling.
Mural
Deciding the right focus and level of detail for a threat modeling session is called 'identifying the ______'.
Deciding the right focus and level of detail for a threat modeling session is called 'identifying the ______'.
Match the example scopes with their descriptions:
Match the example scopes with their descriptions:
Which of the following strategies is recommended for managing large groups in remote threat modeling sessions?
Which of the following strategies is recommended for managing large groups in remote threat modeling sessions?
According to the content, remote threat modeling sessions typically require fewer breaks than face-to-face sessions due to reduced physical strain.
According to the content, remote threat modeling sessions typically require fewer breaks than face-to-face sessions due to reduced physical strain.
What specific deliverable is provided by Mona Fenzl and Sarah Schmid to help teams start threat modeling with a collaboration tool?
What specific deliverable is provided by Mona Fenzl and Sarah Schmid to help teams start threat modeling with a collaboration tool?
In which scenario might threat modeling be focused to expose authentication flaws specifically using mathematical proofs?
In which scenario might threat modeling be focused to expose authentication flaws specifically using mathematical proofs?
Which of the following best describes the core purpose of threat modelling according to the article?
Which of the following best describes the core purpose of threat modelling according to the article?
The article suggests that complex and exhaustive upfront analysis is the most effective way for modern software teams to implement threat modelling.
The article suggests that complex and exhaustive upfront analysis is the most effective way for modern software teams to implement threat modelling.
What is identified as a significant driver for the increasing importance of threat modelling in software development?
What is identified as a significant driver for the increasing importance of threat modelling in software development?
To make threat modelling more accessible and effective for development teams, the article advocates starting with a _____ approach.
To make threat modelling more accessible and effective for development teams, the article advocates starting with a _____ approach.
Which strategy for simplifying threat modelling is NOT explicitly mentioned in the article?
Which strategy for simplifying threat modelling is NOT explicitly mentioned in the article?
What frequency of threat modelling does the article recommend for integration into modern software development workflows?
What frequency of threat modelling does the article recommend for integration into modern software development workflows?
According to the article, effective threat modelling is crucial because enterprises are becoming more aware of their _____ related to cyber security.
According to the article, effective threat modelling is crucial because enterprises are becoming more aware of their _____ related to cyber security.
What is the primary purpose of threat modeling?
What is the primary purpose of threat modeling?
During a threat modeling session, it is more beneficial to focus on the 'happy path' rather than exploring a wide range of possible threats.
During a threat modeling session, it is more beneficial to focus on the 'happy path' rather than exploring a wide range of possible threats.
Name one technique mentioned for encouraging diversity of thought during threat brainstorming sessions.
Name one technique mentioned for encouraging diversity of thought during threat brainstorming sessions.
The Thoughtworks' set of cards designed to improve the understanding of security concepts are called ______ cue cards.
The Thoughtworks' set of cards designed to improve the understanding of security concepts are called ______ cue cards.
Match the following security concerns with their corresponding questions.
Match the following security concerns with their corresponding questions.
During the brainstorming phase of threat modeling, what principle should guide the generation of ideas?
During the brainstorming phase of threat modeling, what principle should guide the generation of ideas?
What is a key recommendation for managing discussions during the initial threat brainstorming phase?
What is a key recommendation for managing discussions during the initial threat brainstorming phase?
Constraints at a technical level are irrelevant in preventing cybersecurity losses.
Constraints at a technical level are irrelevant in preventing cybersecurity losses.
Prioritizing threats should be the first step in the threat modeling process, before brainstorming potential attack vectors.
Prioritizing threats should be the first step in the threat modeling process, before brainstorming potential attack vectors.
List three examples, provided by the content, of captured threats that could be written on a sticky note.
List three examples, provided by the content, of captured threats that could be written on a sticky note.
What is meant by 'evil brainstorming' in the context of security?
What is meant by 'evil brainstorming' in the context of security?
In the context of threat modelling, what does 'Follow the data-flow lines!' encourage you to do?
In the context of threat modelling, what does 'Follow the data-flow lines!' encourage you to do?
Attackers often exploit trusted data flows within a system to move around. This movement is often called ________?
Attackers often exploit trusted data flows within a system to move around. This movement is often called ________?
A security team discovers that an internal web application lacks input validation, potentially making it susceptible to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. An attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability to inject malicious JavaScript into the application. When legitimate users visit the compromised page inside the web application, the injected script executes within their browsers, stealing their session cookies, the attacker then uses these cookies to access sensitive customer data stored in the application's database. Which security principle from the list below would best address this type of threat?
A security team discovers that an internal web application lacks input validation, potentially making it susceptible to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. An attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability to inject malicious JavaScript into the application. When legitimate users visit the compromised page inside the web application, the injected script executes within their browsers, stealing their session cookies, the attacker then uses these cookies to access sensitive customer data stored in the application's database. Which security principle from the list below would best address this type of threat?
A common anti-pattern during threat brainstorming involves someone saying 'Yeah but...', which often leads to premature ______ that can stifle the creative process.
A common anti-pattern during threat brainstorming involves someone saying 'Yeah but...', which often leads to premature ______ that can stifle the creative process.
A publicly accessible internet environment is generally considered to pose a greater security risk than a properly secured backend network.
A publicly accessible internet environment is generally considered to pose a greater security risk than a properly secured backend network.
In system diagrams, the divisions between distinct networks are commonly marked by what are known as ______ boundaries.
In system diagrams, the divisions between distinct networks are commonly marked by what are known as ______ boundaries.
What is the primary purpose of depicting data flow in a system diagram during a threat modeling exercise?
What is the primary purpose of depicting data flow in a system diagram during a threat modeling exercise?
Define 'assets' in the context of system security as described in the provided text.
Define 'assets' in the context of system security as described in the provided text.
Match the following terms with their descriptions in the context of network security and threat modeling:
Match the following terms with their descriptions in the context of network security and threat modeling:
In which scenario would omitting the illustration of gateway devices like load balancers or firewalls in a system diagram be considered acceptable during a threat modeling session?
In which scenario would omitting the illustration of gateway devices like load balancers or firewalls in a system diagram be considered acceptable during a threat modeling session?
Briefly explain why the open Internet is characterized as more hazardous compared to a well-secured backend network, even when the backend is cloud-hosted.
Briefly explain why the open Internet is characterized as more hazardous compared to a well-secured backend network, even when the backend is cloud-hosted.
What is the MOST critical reason for explicitly identifying and illustrating authorization boundaries in a system diagram during the initial stages of threat modeling?
What is the MOST critical reason for explicitly identifying and illustrating authorization boundaries in a system diagram during the initial stages of threat modeling?
Creating a data flow diagram directly supports threat brainstorming by visually outlining potential pathways for threats to propagate through the system, making it easier to ask 'What can ______ go wrong?' at each stage.
Creating a data flow diagram directly supports threat brainstorming by visually outlining potential pathways for threats to propagate through the system, making it easier to ask 'What can ______ go wrong?' at each stage.
What is the overarching goal of conducting a threat modeling session, as described in the provided text?
What is the overarching goal of conducting a threat modeling session, as described in the provided text?
Flashcards
Threat Modeling
Threat Modeling
A risk-based approach to designing secure systems by identifying and mitigating threats.
Mitigation
Mitigation
Identifying potential threats and developing ways to reduce their impact.
Threat Modeling 'Little and Often'
Threat Modeling 'Little and Often'
A collaborative approach to threat modeling, done frequently in small increments.
Start From the Technology
Start From the Technology
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Collaborative Approach
Collaborative Approach
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First Key Question to ask?
First Key Question to ask?
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Third Key Question to ask?
Third Key Question to ask?
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Collaborative Editing
Collaborative Editing
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Block Diagrams
Block Diagrams
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Color Coding
Color Coding
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Scoping the Session
Scoping the Session
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Value-Driven Focus
Value-Driven Focus
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Timeboxing
Timeboxing
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Continuous Delivery Pipeline
Continuous Delivery Pipeline
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Delivery Infrastructure
Delivery Infrastructure
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Security Sensitive Feature
Security Sensitive Feature
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Authorization Boundary
Authorization Boundary
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Security Assets
Security Assets
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STRIDE
STRIDE
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Spoofing
Spoofing
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Tampering
Tampering
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Repudiation
Repudiation
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Information Disclosure
Information Disclosure
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Denial of Service (DoS)
Denial of Service (DoS)
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Elevation of Privilege
Elevation of Privilege
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Brainstorming Rule
Brainstorming Rule
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Attacker Pathways
Attacker Pathways
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Cause of Cyber Losses
Cause of Cyber Losses
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Capturing Threats
Capturing Threats
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STRIDE Application
STRIDE Application
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Security Concepts
Security Concepts
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STRIDE Cue Cards
STRIDE Cue Cards
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Brainstorming Threats
Brainstorming Threats
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Diversity in Threat Brainstorming
Diversity in Threat Brainstorming
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Postpone Threat Debates
Postpone Threat Debates
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Follow the data-flow lines
Follow the data-flow lines
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Study Notes
- Threat modeling is a structured approach to designing secure software by identifying threats and developing mitigations.
- It has been used by modern software teams as it aims to prevent cyber losses over the lifetime of the system
What is Threat Modeling?
- Involves identifying threats, attacks, vulnerabilities, and countermeasures.
- Many causes combine to result in security losses
Principles of Threat Modeling
- Start from the technology, specifically the system's data and services.
- Take a collaborative approach to gather diverse perspectives.
- Integrate threat modeling into the software development lifecycle.
Threat Modeling Process
- Preparing to start, which involves answering three key questions
- It is important to spend about a third of your time answering each question in each threat modelling session.
Explain and Explore
- What are you building technically?
- Outcome: Technical Diagram
Brainstorm Threats
- What can go wrong?
- Outcome: A list of all possible technical Threats
Prioritize and Fix
- What is the team going to do to fix the threats?
- Outcome: Prioritized fixes added to backlog
Preparing to Start Threat Modeling
- Planning should involve both technical and non-technical team members.
- Sessions should be time-boxed for efficiency.
- It is recommended that teams Threat Model every sprint without fail (once you get started)
Explain What You Are Going To Build
- Diagrams are designed to communicate
- Draw a 'lo-fi' technical diagram of the system
Guidelines for Lo-Fi Diagrams
- Illustrate the components and the main data flows involved.
- Represent and label each type of group users usually have, and who they are
- Show assets, particularly the personally identifiable information
Brainstorm Threats: What Can Go Wrong?
- Use STRIDE (Spoofing, Tampering, Repudiation, Information Disclosure, Denial of Service, Elevation of Privilege) to help categorize threats.
- Spoofed Identity: Can someone impersonate another?
- Tampering with Input: Can data be altered maliciously?
- Repudiation of Action: Can actions be denied?
- Information Disclosure: Can sensitive information be exposed?
- Denial of Service: Could service be taken down?
- Elevation of Privilege: How easy is it to circumvent protections?
Prioritize and Fix: What are you going to do about it?
- Prioritize threats by risk, considering business value and broader threat landscape.
- Identify top riskiest threats through group voting.
- Capture security fixes in the backlog, defining concrete next steps called controls, mitigations, or safeguards.
Types of Security Fixes
- Acceptance Criteria: Extra scope on existing stories, reflecting authorization checks.
- Stories: Implement a particular control or split from an existing story.
- Timeboxed Spikes: Investigate vulnerabilities or find the best solution.
- Definition of Done: Conditions and acceptance criteria for feature completion.
- Epics: Significant bits of security architecture identified during threat modeling.
Improving Threat Modeling Practice
- Conduct retrospectives to evaluate and refine the process.
- Experiment with different diagram types and domain-specific threat libraries.
- Complement threat modeling with automated tools in the software delivery pipeline.
Conclusion
- Effective threat modeling helps the security understanding across the whole team
- It is a proactive way to manage cyber-risk.
- It is a transformative and collaborative practice.
- Run threat modelling and promote it in any software team.
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