Cloud Threat Modeling Process

Begin cloud threat modeling by mapping your shared responsibility boundaries. Clearly document what security controls the provider supplies versus what you must implement. This varies by service type and specific features used. Misunderstanding these boundaries is a primary source of cloud security failures.

Create detailed architecture diagrams showing all cloud resources, their configurations, and interconnections. Include IAM roles and policies, network configurations, data flows, and external integrations. Cloud environments change rapidly, so establish processes for keeping diagrams current. Consider using infrastructure-as-code to generate diagrams automatically.

Apply cloud-specific threat libraries like the MITRE ATT&CK Cloud Matrix. These frameworks provide comprehensive threat catalogs based on real-world cloud attacks. Map identified threats to your specific architecture, considering which threats apply given your cloud provider, services used, and security controls implemented.

Prioritize threats based on cloud-specific factors. Public exposure dramatically increases likelihood for certain vulnerabilities. The scale of cloud resources amplifies impact—a misconfiguration might affect thousands of resources. Automation capabilities mean attacks can propagate rapidly. Consider these factors when assessing and prioritizing risks.

Cloud infrastructure threat modeling requires understanding both cloud-specific threats and how traditional threats manifest in cloud environments. By systematically analyzing identity management, data security, network architecture, and the unique challenges of cloud services, you can build robust security strategies for cloud deployments. As cloud platforms continue evolving with new services and capabilities, threat modeling provides the framework for understanding and addressing emerging security challenges. The key is recognizing that cloud security isn't just traditional security in a new location—it's a fundamentally different paradigm requiring adapted threat modeling approaches.## Integrating Threat Modeling into DevSecOps

The evolution from DevOps to DevSecOps represents more than adding security to existing practices—it fundamentally reimagines how security integrates with modern software delivery. Threat modeling, traditionally a periodic architectural exercise, must transform into a continuous practice that keeps pace with rapid deployment cycles. This chapter explores how to embed threat modeling into DevSecOps pipelines, automate threat identification, and create a culture where security analysis becomes as natural as code compilation.