What are the most effective ways to threat model cloud-based systems?

2 Use a structured framework

The next step in threat modeling is to use a structured framework to guide your analysis and design of security controls. There are several frameworks that can help you to threat model cloud-based systems, such as STRIDE, PASTA, OCTAVE, and VAST. These frameworks provide different methods and tools to help you to identify, classify, prioritize, and mitigate threats, based on various criteria such as impact, likelihood, severity, and exploitability. You should choose a framework that suits your needs, goals, and resources, and that is compatible with your cloud platform and services. You should also follow the best practices and standards for cloud security, such as the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) guidance and the NIST Cloud Computing Security Reference Architecture.

3 Involve multiple perspectives

The third step in threat modeling is to involve multiple perspectives in your process, and to solicit feedback and input from different stakeholders. Threat modeling is not a one-time or one-person activity, but a collaborative and iterative process that requires constant communication and validation. You should involve people with different roles, skills, and knowledge in your threat modeling team, such as developers, testers, architects, security analysts, business owners, and users. You should also leverage external sources of information and expertise, such as cloud service providers, security consultants, industry peers, and online communities. This will help you to gain a comprehensive and realistic view of your cloud system, and to identify and address any gaps, assumptions, or biases in your threat model.

5 Review and update your threat model

The fifth step in threat modeling is to review and update your threat model regularly, and to adapt it to the changes and challenges in your cloud system. Threat modeling is not a static or final product, but a dynamic and ongoing process that reflects the current state and context of your cloud system. You should review and update your threat model whenever there are significant changes in your cloud architecture, components, services, users, or requirements, or when there are new threats, vulnerabilities, or incidents that affect your cloud system. You should also monitor and measure the effectiveness and performance of your threat model, and use the feedback and data to improve your process and outcomes.

6 Learn from others

The sixth step in threat modeling is to learn from others, and to share your knowledge and experience with the community. Threat modeling is not a solitary or isolated activity, but a social and interactive process that benefits from the collective wisdom and insights of the community. You should learn from the best practices, lessons, and case studies of other cloud-based systems, and apply them to your own projects. You should also share your threat model, challenges, and solutions with the community, and seek feedback and advice from your peers. This will help you to enhance your skills and confidence in threat modeling, and to contribute to the advancement and innovation of cloud security.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?