Threats Modeling in Cyber Security, STRIDE, PASTA & OCTAVE.
Building Resilient Networks: Threats Modeling & Security Architecture. What is Threat Modeling? Threat modeling in cybersecurity is structured approach to identifying and prioritizing potential threats. Like to arrange the threats according to impact for applying solution, highest threat should be solved then so on. This helps organizations understand vularabilities and implement security measures. These are few methodologies followed by organizations according to that how their data flow. Every organization use different modeling methodology. Key threats Modeling Methodologies. How to Protect: To use strong password and 2 factor authentication. How to Protect: To protect from threat Modeling in cybersecurity, use Encryption, Implement files integrity checks. How to Protect: To use logs/audit trails, or implement digital signature. How to Protect: To use access controls, encrypt data, hide sensative data from logs. How to Protect: To protect from threat Modeling in cybersecurity use firewalls, anti DDos tools, monitor traffic pattern. How to Protect: To use role base access control (RBAC), regularly test your software for permission bugs. Summary Table: STRIDE Threat Type Example S Spoofing Logging in as someone else T Tampering Changing app data or source code R Repudiation Denying you did something I Information Disclosure Leaking private info like passwords D Denial of Service Making the system crash or hang E Elevation of Privilege Gaining admin access as a normal user It helps systematically identify threats before hackers do, to build secure systems during software development, also its beginner friendly. PASTA THREAT MODELING in Cybersecurity MECHANISIM: It’s a risk-based threat modeling methodology that helps you simulate real-world attacks on an application and find its weak points. Like performed by organization practically to detect threats. The GOAL of PASTA is to think like a hacker and understand how an attacker would exploit your app or system and then build defenses step by step. It’s more advanced and detailed than STRIDE. It’s usually used for large apps or enterprise-level systems. PASTA has 7 stages. Summary Table of PASTA: Stage What Happens Example 1. Define Objectives Business + Security Goals Secure user payments 2. Technical Scope Tech stack and parts Frontend, backend, DB 3. Decomposition Data flow & users How data travels 4. Threat Analysis List all threats Spoofing, DDoS 5. Vulnerability Analysis Find real weaknesses Exposed API 6. Attack Simulation Try hacking methods XSS, SQLi 7. Risk & Fixes Measure and fix Add firewall, encrypt data Image for THREAT MODELING in Cybersecurity Stand for Operationally Critical Threat, Assets and Vulnerability Evaluation. It’s a risk assessment framework that focuses on: What assets are important, what threats can affect assets, how vulnerable those assets are, how to protect them. There are 3 main phases of OCTAVE. Develop Security strategy and Plan. Focus on How to reduce risk like match threats + vulnerabilities, decide on risk levels (low, medium, high), create mitigation plans (what to fix first).For example, Risk: Data breach via weak password Fix: Enforce strong passwords + enable MFA Risk: DDoS attack on public site Fix: Use Cloud flare & traffic filtering Phase Goal Example Asset-Based Profiles Know what’s important Customer DB is critical Vulnerability ID Find weaknesses Weak admin passwords Security Plan Reduce risks Apply 2FA, firewall, backups Difference Between STRIDE / PASTA / OCTAVE: Model Focus Used By Best For STRIDE Threat types Developers App-level threats PASTA Attack simulation Security teams Deep app risk analysis OCTAVE Business operational asset risk Managers + IT Organization-wide risk Model Use When You Need To… Focus Type STRIDE Find common app threats quickly Technical (App-Level) PASTA Simulate real hacker attacks on systems Technical + Risk-Based OCTAVE Assess risks to business assets & plan strategy Organizational Risk That’s it for Today’s topic of threat Modeling in cybersecurity. See yaaa in next one. follow my previous blog for Learnings.https://munazajameel.site/network-threats-and-security-controls-part2/
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