1404 Threat Modelling and Mitigation
1404.1 Overview
Threat modelling provides a structured approach to identifying, analyzing, and mitigating security vulnerabilities in IoT systems. This comprehensive guide is split into five focused chapters covering theory, frameworks, practical scenarios, assessments, and hands-on labs.
1404.2 Learning Path
1404.2.1 1. Introduction and Fundamentals
⏱️ 20-30 minutes | 🎯 4,608 words
Start here to understand threat modeling basics, security decision trees, and regulatory requirements.
What You’ll Learn: - The four key questions of threat modeling - How to assess assets, threats, and attack vectors - Security level selection (Basic to Critical) - Real-world examples: smart home, industrial sensors, medical devices - Trade-offs: HSM vs software crypto, edge vs cloud authentication
Key Topics: - Security Requirements Decision Tree - Regulatory compliance (GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, IEC 62443) - Defense in depth strategies - Cost-benefit analysis of security controls
1404.2.2 2. STRIDE Framework and Threat Taxonomies
⏱️ 15-20 minutes | 🎯 2,961 words
Learn systematic threat identification using Microsoft’s STRIDE methodology and comprehensive IoT threat taxonomies.
What You’ll Learn: - Applying the STRIDE model (Spoofing, Tampering, Repudiation, Information disclosure, Denial of service, Elevation of privilege) - Five-step threat modeling process - Mapping threats to security properties - Identifying entry points and trust boundaries
Key Topics: - STRIDE threat categories - Threat modeling maturity stages - IoT attack surfaces (device, network, application, cloud, physical) - Attack scenario development
1404.2.3 3. IoT Attack Scenarios and Risk Assessment
⏱️ 20-25 minutes | 🎯 3,650 words
Explore real-world IoT attack patterns and learn to assess risk using the DREAD framework.
What You’ll Learn: - Critical IoT attack scenarios (default credentials, firmware bugs, MITM) - DREAD risk scoring (Damage, Reproducibility, Exploitability, Affected users, Discoverability) - Worked examples with smart lock vulnerability analysis - Interactive threat assessment tool
Key Topics: - Attack scenario analysis - Risk prioritization methodologies - Vulnerability impact assessment - Remediation planning
1404.2.4 4. Assessments and Resources
⏱️ 30-40 minutes | 🎯 5,319 words
Test your knowledge with comprehensive quizzes covering all aspects of threat modeling.
What You’ll Learn: - Knowledge checks for each chapter section - Scenario-based assessment questions - Video resources for deeper learning - Cross-references to related chapters
Key Topics: - Quiz 1: Critical attack scenario analysis - Quiz 2 & 3: Comprehensive review (40+ questions each) - Chapter summary and key takeaways - Visual reference gallery
1404.2.5 5. Threat Detection and Risk Assessment Lab
⏱️ 45-60 minutes | 🎯 5,570 words
Practice threat detection with an interactive simulator featuring real-time attack analysis and DREAD scoring.
What You’ll Learn: - Real-time threat detection and response - DREAD risk calculation for detected attacks - Attack pattern correlation - Lockout policy configuration and recovery
Key Topics: - Interactive threat detection simulator - 4 guided exercises - Challenge exercises for advanced students - Real-world application scenarios
1404.4 Prerequisites
Before starting this series, you should be familiar with:
- Security and Privacy Overview: Understanding of the CIA triad and basic security principles
- Networking Basics: Knowledge of network protocols and communication layers
- Introduction to Privacy: Understanding privacy threats and regulatory requirements
1404.6 Learning Objectives (Complete Series)
By completing all five chapters, you will be able to:
- Apply Threat Modeling Frameworks: Use STRIDE, DREAD, and attack trees to systematically identify IoT vulnerabilities
- Identify Attack Surfaces: Map device, network, and cloud attack vectors in IoT architectures
- Prioritize Security Risks: Assess threat severity based on likelihood, impact, and exploitability
- Design Mitigations: Develop countermeasures for identified threats including authentication, encryption, and monitoring
- Create Threat Models: Document comprehensive threat models for IoT system designs
- Implement Defense in Depth: Apply layered security controls across the IoT stack
- Detect Threats in Real-Time: Use threat detection systems and tune security controls
- Calculate Risk Scores: Apply DREAD methodology to prioritize remediation efforts
1404.7 Study Recommendations
For Beginners: 1. Start with Introduction & Fundamentals 2. Work through STRIDE Framework 3. Review Attack Scenarios 4. Take Assessments to test understanding 5. Complete Hands-On Lab for practical experience
For Experienced Practitioners: - Jump to Attack Scenarios for real-world case studies - Use Assessments to identify knowledge gaps - Focus on Hands-On Lab for practical skills
For Quick Reference: - Introduction - Security decision tree for rapid level selection - STRIDE Framework - Threat identification checklist - Attack Scenarios - DREAD scoring guide
1404.8 What’s Next
After completing this series, continue your security learning with:
- IoT Device Security: Implement device-level hardening
- Encryption Principles: Apply cryptographic protections
- Security and Privacy Overview: Understand the broader security landscape
📚 Total Content: 22,108 words across 5 chapters ⏱️ Estimated Time: 2.5-3 hours for complete series 🎯 Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
Begin your threat modeling journey with Introduction and Fundamentals →