Imagine being on a road trip without GPS—just a vague set of directions scribbled on a napkin and the occasional mile marker to reassure that the vehicle is not completely lost. The passengers—who, in this case, are stakeholders—keep asking how much farther remains and there’s no clear indication how much longer it will take.
This is how threat modeling can feel for many organizations. Threat modeling is the rigorous analysis of software at the design phase of the development process. Without a clear plan, well-defined milestones, and the right tools, the journey to a mature, effective threat modeling program can be long and tiresome. Especially in light of new regulatory frameworks and guidance coming out of governments and cybersecurity organizations, such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) secure-by-design principles, which businesses will need to navigate.
However, by focusing on three critical components, organizations can effectively navigate the journey of threat modeling. These stages represent the milestones along the path, helping chart a course from an inefficient, disjointed process to one that is streamlined, value-driven, and aligned with organizational goals.
Stage 1 – Efficient Threat Modeling—Fueling the Journey
At the core of any successful threat modeling program is an efficient process—one that achieves its intended outcomes with minimal wasted resources. But efficiency is not just about getting from point A to point B quickly. It is about understanding which resources are being used and ensuring they are contributing to the larger goal.
Efficiency in threat modeling starts with security stewardship. This means more than just defending existing security budgets, but actively demonstrating the return on investment (ROI) that can be generated. In the context of threat modeling, ROI can be difficult to quantify. So, what does it look like and how can it be communicated?
Firstly, it is crucial to define a tight scope, use standardized templates, and adopt a structured three-tier threat modeling approach that encompasses environment, architecture, and functionality. These practices reduce ambiguity and promote consistent results.
Secondly, it is not enough to generate reports and findings. The end deliverable should provide value to stakeholders by highlighting prioritized threats and vulnerabilities that are aligned with the organization’s risk appetite. The focus here is not on the outputs exclusively but the ratio of outputs to inputs to achieve a desired outcome.
The third component is to build a team of security champions and engage the right stakeholders to ensure that threat modeling is not a siloed activity. When participants understand their roles and the value they bring, the entire process becomes more streamlined and productive.
By focusing on these elements, organizations can transition from passive program management—where problems are addressed only as they arise—to active management, where threat modeling is seamlessly integrated into development and security processes.
Stage 2 – Effective Threat Modeling—Mapping the Route
Efficiency is essential, but it is not enough if an organization is moving in the wrong direction. Effectiveness is the compass that ensures resources are appropriately directed to produce meaningful outcomes.
This process involves a proactive assessment of risk that starts with a well-scoped description of change and ends with a prioritized set of realistic threats. From these threats, actionable mitigations can be identified, along with a clear plan and timeline for reducing risks.
The key is to evaluate effectiveness in two dimensions. Firstly, organization-specific effectiveness which involves assessing the process and adaptability to scale the organization’s size, structure and existing risk management practices without imposing unnecessary burdens. The second is industry-specific effectiveness which considers if the process aligns with industry norms and compliance requirements. Each industry has its own set of challenges and benchmarks, and the effectiveness of threat modeling must reflect this context
Effective threat modeling should always align with stakeholders’ needs and expectations. If the outcomes do not resonate with the people who matter, then value is not being delivered. This is why it is crucial to understand the target audience, and clarify the specific needs and expectations. Understanding these elements ensures that efforts are focused, actionable, and capable of driving the necessary changes.
Stage 3 – Maximizing Value—Knowing When You’ve Arrived
Finally, how do we know when the process is finished? In the world of threat modeling, there is rarely a clear finish line. The landscape is constantly changing, new threats emerge, and organizational priorities shift. Defining “done” is less about completing a single task and more about achieving a level of value that justifies the effort invested.
One concept particularly relevant here is diminishing marginal returns—the point at which additional effort on a single threat model no longer results in meaningful improvements. By continuing to add detail to a specific model, each new layer of work provides less value than the last. This does not mean that extra work has no value, but rather that the impact of further refinement steadily decreases. Eventually, the key is to step back and ask whether continued adjustments and enhancements are really improving the understanding of risk, or if it is simply adding noise and complexity that does not significantly enhance the security posture.
The answer lies in aligning with value. Who are the key stakeholders and what do they expect? If the answers to these questions are not immediately clear, then it is time to challenge the processes already in place and refocus on activities that deliver the highest value. This continuous evaluation helps avoid the trap of perfectionism and ensures that threat modeling remains a valuable tool rather than a burdensome task.
Are We There Yet?
Threat modeling, like a road trip, is a journey rather than a destination. The end goal—maximized security value—may be clear, but the route to get there is rarely straightforward. There will be detours and breakdowns along the way, and sometimes it will feel like no progress is being made at all.
But by focusing on the fundamentals—efficient processes, effective outcomes, and value-driven results—organizations’ can ensure their efforts move closer to where they want to be. With clear direction, commitment, and a focus on value, organizations can ensure they are on the right path and closer to their end goal.
About the Author
James Rabe is the Head of Professional Services at IriusRisk and is responsible for designing and implementing threat modeling solutions for customers. He brings over a decade of experience in technology, security, and compliance consulting to the teams at IriusRIsk. In his spare time, he provides free cybersecurity training and assessments to nonprofits and small schools in the mid-Atlantic region because good cybersecurity should not be restricted to large budgets. He was a founding member of Threat Modeling Connect and is an active mentor in that community for the annual threat modeling hackathon. James can be reached online at linkedin.com/in/jrabe3 and on our company