Threat Modeling & Adversary Simulation
Engineering-grade analysis to expose vulnerabilities, validate design assumptions, and build resilient systems.
Overview
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Engineering Security Through Structured Adversarial Analysis
Threat modeling at the TRC is not a checklist exercise — it is a systems-engineered discipline grounded in data, component analysis, and realistic adversary behavior.
Our adversary simulations apply design-level thinking, structured decomposition, and controlled stress-testing to reveal weaknesses long before attackers can exploit them.
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Threat Modeling at TRC (4 Pillars)
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1. Design Threat Modeling (DTM)
We analyze systems at the architectural and component level, mapping:
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trust boundaries
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data flows
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control points
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failure conditions
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abuse paths
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engineering assumptions
DTM integrates with ISAUnited’s DRM and CIE frameworks.
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2. Architecture & Component-Level Analysis
Using systems decomposition, we identify:
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component interactions
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interface risks
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misconfigurations
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privilege escalations
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undocumented workflows
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implicit trust dependencies
This is where TRC’s engineering rigor is most visible.
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3. Threat Surface & Variant Discovery
We evaluate how real adversaries discover, expand, and exploit opportunities by modeling:
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attack surfaces
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threat variants
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multi-path attack chains
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boundary-crossing behaviors
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identity manipulation
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protocol misuse
This step ties to ISAUnited’s ETM traceability.
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4. Data-Driven Threat Analysis
We apply data science methods to analyze and classify threat scenarios:
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pattern discovery
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behavior clustering
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scenario mapping
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operational telemetry analysis
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structured vs. unstructured data processing
This reinforces TRC’s research-first approach.
Adversary Simulation
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Realistic Adversary Behavior, Simulated with Engineering Discipline
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Our adversary simulations replicate the strategies, techniques, and decision-making patterns used by sophisticated attackers — but applied in a controlled, engineering-focused environment.
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We simulate:
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adversary movement through architecture layers
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pipeline and automation failures
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identity pivoting
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segmentation bypass paths
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supply chain and CI/CD poisoning scenarios
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protocol-level manipulations
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“negative path” behaviors to enforce fail-closed design
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How TRC Performs Threat Modeling
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Use a 5-stage timeline or vertical list:​
1. Understand the System
Architecture review · Data flow mapping · Component modeling
2. Identify Valuable Assets
Data · Identities · Privileges · Workflows · Dependencies
3. Enumerate Threat Scenarios
Modeling attacker goals and constraints
Using threat libraries, adversary intelligence, and engineering heuristics
4. Model Abuse Paths & Failure Conditions
Misuse cases · control gaps · unintended behaviors · bypass routes
5. Validate with Adversary Simulation
Execution of multi-stage chains to confirm design weaknesses or validate defenses
Why Our Approach Is Different
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Realistic Adversary Behavior, Simulated with Engineering Discipline
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TRC’s Approach Is Engineering-Grade:
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Built on systems engineering, not checklists
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Powered by structured and unstructured data analysis
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Validated with adversary behavior simulations
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Traceable through ETM, DRM, DTM, and TMC
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Integrated with ISAUnited’s Defensible Standards
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Designed to be measurable, repeatable, and defensible
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How to Get Involved
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Organizations and researchers interested in Threat Modeling & Adversary Simulation can:
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Submit a Research Proposal – Partner with us on adversary-centric security research.
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Join ISAUnited Membership – Gain exclusive access to adversary simulation methodologies.
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Contact Us – Reach out to our research team below for more information.