How can you update your threat modeling framework to protect against evolving cyber threats?

The effectiveness of a threat modeling framework is pivotal for staying ahead of emerging threats. The suggested approach of evaluating the scope, methodology, output and stakeholder feedback aligns with a comprehensive and strategic mindset. From a technical standpoint, ensuring that the framework covers all relevant assets, systems and data is fundamental. It not only protects critical components but also reflects a proactive stance in identifying potential vulnerabilities. A structured methodology adds a layer of consistency and reliability, essential for a thorough analysis of threats.

Improving threat modeling can be achieved by adjusting risk and prioritizing mitigation through feedback obtained from security testing and monitoring activities. This continuous cycle of security testing and monitoring enhances the efficiency of the threat modeling process, making it more effective.

In my decades of cybersecurity experience, I've seen many robust threat modeling frameworks become stagnant due to a lack of regular assessment. A dynamic digital landscape demands an equally agile framework. When assessing your framework, consider not just the breadth of coverage but also its depth. It's essential to evaluate whether your framework accommodates the latest in cyber threat intelligence and technology trends. The effectiveness of a threat model lies not only in its scope but also in its ability to adapt to the subtleties of evolving cyber threats. Critically reviewing feedback from past incidents and integrating lessons learned can turn a static framework into a dynamic, preventive tool.

To ensure a strong cybersecurity defense, it's vital to adapt your threat modeling framework to combat evolving cyber threats. Threat modeling, a proactive approach for risk identification and mitigation, must evolve in response to dynamic threat landscapes. Two key strategies for optimizing your framework are: 1. Stay Informed: Actively monitor the latest cyber threats, attack techniques, and vulnerabilities by subscribing to threat intelligence feeds and staying updated with cybersecurity news sources. 2. Reassess Assets: Consistently review your organization's assets and potential attack surfaces, accounting for changes driven by technology upgrades, shifts in business operations, and evolving threat conditions.

Identifying continuous threat landscape changes as well as awareness of new emerging threats would provide continuous basis "awareness" that would become eventually a regular exercise to review and update sources. Although there are hundreds of OSINT threat sources out there, the relevant sources with high confidence should be selected, validated and disseminated accordingly.

The cyber threat environment is as volatile as it is dangerous. Updating your threat sources is not just about adding new threat actors; it's about understanding the evolving motivations and capabilities of these actors. In my career, I've witnessed a shift from purely financially motivated cybercrimes to complex, state-sponsored cyber espionage. Your framework should reflect this evolution, incorporating insights from global cybersecurity reports, intelligence sharing platforms, and even geopolitical developments. Remember, a threat source that was deemed low risk a year ago might now be at the forefront of cyber threats due to technological or social changes.

Threat scenarios should always aim to reduce or mitigate risks. Continuous basis risk assessment (i.e. Quarterly) taking into consideration of new threat actors or campaigns, tradecrafts or TTPS and impact to industry that organization is will provide relevancy on updating threat scenarios. I.e. In one quarter an ATO might be considered as "new scenario" due to incidents or threats observed. Upon the assessment, a control review, attack simulation, surface reduction and also an attack tree can be used to provide holistic view of the threat situation.

Threat Modeling culture improves once the team realizes that it is not something that the cybersecurity team does Make the tools and processes fully available and encourage the teams to threat model BEFORE sending something to the cybersecurity team for review As long as threat modeling is thought of as a gate that the security team controls, the technology teams will not embrace it as part of their culture You will be surprised at how much you can learn from tech teams once they get good at threat modeling !

I think each organization should create its own threat modeling based on the business requirements and overall enterprise risk. For example, an organization that has 3rd party risk being its top priority, the model should focus on 3rd party risk from collection to detection and prevention basically to address the lifecycle of a potential kill-chain of attack TTPs that would include and create the model. The model can be updated as new TTPs discovered and even can be considered an overlay to MITRE's modeling. For each threat scenarios, a model can be developed and implemented.

I have not found that many organizations do threat modeling much less have a framework for it. If they do, they generally would be able to update it effectively. I think an article on starting out with threat modeling would be of more value.

In addition to these steps, one must never underestimate the power of collaboration and information sharing in the cybersecurity community. My years in the field have shown that isolated efforts, however comprehensive, can fall short against coordinated cyber threats. Engaging with industry peers, participating in threat intelligence sharing platforms, and maintaining a presence in cybersecurity consortiums can provide invaluable insights. Also, leverage external audits and assessments for an unbiased evaluation of your framework. Remember, in the world of cybersecurity, knowledge shared is strength multiplied.