Pioneering Pre-Code Security Solutions for Dev Teams and CISOs
The Open Threat Model (OTM) standard provides a tool-neutral, universally applicable method for articulating threat models, with an emphasis on clarity and readability. Its primary goal is to promote seamless integration between threat modeling and various Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) stages, as well as the broader cybersecurity infrastructure. With its release under Creative Commons, the OTM standard encourages open collaboration and utilization by the global community.
The Open Threat Model (OTM) Standard: Bridging Threat Modeling with Modern Software Development
The Open Threat Model (OTM) standard provides a tool-neutral, universally applicable method for articulating threat models, with an emphasis on clarity and readability. Its primary goal is to promote seamless integration between threat modeling and various Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) stages, as well as the broader cybersecurity infrastructure. With its release under Creative Commons, the OTM standard encourages open collaboration and utilization by the global community.
Build security into application design
Amid the escalating demand to expedite software development and deployment, vital security measures intended for the early stages of the software development life cycle (SDLC) frequently get overlooked until they become pressing issues.
Neglecting to embed security features during the initial design phase of applications leads to:
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Insufficient barriers exist against aggressive cyber adversaries.
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Diminished resistance to external and internal security threats.
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increased risk of catastrophic incidents, such as data breaches.
The landscape of threat modeling is in a state of dynamic transformation, necessitating advancements in its associated technologies. Similar to how DevOps changed over time, the most important things for making infrastructure scalable were not only changes in culture, but also the standardization and commoditization of resources through platforms like cloud and Infrastructure as Code (IaC). Similarly, threat modeling is poised for a paradigmatic shift. The OTM standard is formulated to accelerate this metamorphosis. By integrating pre-existing design elements, such as IaC, there's a potential to revolutionize and automate the threat modeling methodology, thereby enhancing its scalability and sophistication.
50%
of security incidents are caused by design flaws
How does threat modeling minimize security incidents?
Systematic understanding
Threat modeling provides a structured way of visualizing a system's architecture, data flow, and potential attack vectors. By mapping out the entire system, it becomes easier to pinpoint vulnerabilities and understand how different components interact and potentially expose the system to threats.
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Prioritization of Threats
Not all threats are created equal. Some are more likely to occur and have more damaging consequences than others. Threat modeling allows organizations to rank and prioritize threats, ensuring that resources are allocated to mitigate the most significant risks first.
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Informed decision making
Threat modeling provides a clear picture of the risk landscape. Armed with this knowledge, decision-makers can make more informed choices about where to invest in security controls and which risk trade-offs are acceptable.
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Regulatory compliance
Many industries have regulations that mandate specific security practices. A well-constructed threat model can assist in ensuring compliance with these regulations by demonstrating a systematic approach to security.
Evaluate risk from different vantage points
Threat vectors and vulnerabilities can emanate from a variety of external and internal sources, traversing diverse systems, human interactions, and operational procedures. To ascertain a comprehensive risk assessment of your applications, it's imperative to employ a multi-faceted analysis approach, scrutinizing potential risks from multiple dimensions and perspectives.
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External security threats
Assess risk employing an external-centric perspective to identify vulnerabilities in external components
Through threat modeling, one delves deeper than merely considering generic and established threats. External components integral to the architecture and operation of your applications are thoroughly evaluated for their susceptibility to design security vulnerabilities, configuration errors, security protocol omissions, and potential misuse scenarios.
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Internal architecture risks
Evaluate risk using an internal-centric perspective to unearth inherent design vulnerabilities
Architecture risk assessments leverage recognized attack methodologies and encompass an in-depth dependency analysis. By comprehending the interrelationships with both your application's primary components, assets, and potential threat actors, you can detect systemic vulnerabilities in its structural design.
Detect design vulnerabilities in the initial stages of the SDLC
Through the construction of detailed threat models centered on external components, such as Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), cloud-based infrastructure, and hosted data center assets, it is possible to anticipate emergent attack vectors in advance. This all-encompassing method makes it easier to strategically rank application risks by focusing on factors like the likelihood of a threat happening.
A more intricate layer of protection is added with architectural risk assessments. This procedure conducts a comprehensive analysis by mapping and evaluating the interrelationships between potential threats, intrinsic assets, and the overall design framework. By doing so, it reveals systemic vulnerabilities dispersed across your application's architecture.
By rigorously scrutinizing your application’s structural blueprint via advanced threat modeling and architectural risk evaluations, it's feasible to detect and address design imperfections in the early phases of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Such a methodological approach surpasses the detection capabilities of conventional testing paradigms.
Safeguard data in alignment with regulatory requirements
Organizations engaged in the creation, storage, and transmission of sensitive or personal data must ensure the robust safeguarding of their paramount information assets.
Whether your aim is to satisfy regulatory mandates like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or FISMA, or you're committed to adopting data security excellence, risk assessments facilitate the integration of top-tier security protocols to fortify your data protection.
Optimize remediation efforts by stratifying risk evaluations
It's impractical to assume that all security vulnerabilities can be rectified instantly. Hence, it's crucial to categorize and prioritize risks to comprehend their respective implications for business operations.
With this granular risk intelligence, one can devise a stratified remediation strategy that effectively mitigates risks, even in scenarios with limited budgetary and resource allocations.