Understanding Stakeholders Through Threat Modeling: A Business and Security Perspective

Ealier, this year at Cyphercon 8, I gave a seminar on CyberBurn. In it, I brought up the concept of using Threat Modeling to better understand peers and collegues in an effort to work better together. There were some questions and comments which I wanted to dig deeper into to help educate people on it.

In both cybersecurity and business strategy, understanding the key players involved—their tools, motivations, and tactics—is vital for success. Threat modeling, a structured approach often used in cybersecurity, provides a framework that not only helps identify risks but also sheds light on the behaviors and incentives of peers and stakeholders. This concept parallels the business strategy notion of "knowing the people at the table," a crucial element in negotiation and decision-making.

What is Threat Modeling?

Threat modeling is the process of identifying, enumerating, and prioritizing potential threats to a system. Originally designed to anticipate and mitigate security vulnerabilities, it involves understanding who might be interested in attacking or impacting a system, why they would do so, and how they might accomplish their goals.

By mapping out possible adversaries' tools and tactics, organizations can better prepare defenses and anticipate moves much like a chess player considers an opponent’s strategy. Microsoft details this approach in their Threat Modeling Guide, emphasizing its effectiveness in proactive security planning.

Parallels with Business Stakeholder Analysis

In business, "knowing the people at the table" refers to understanding the stakeholders involved in any negotiation or partnership. This encompasses their backgrounds, motivations, interests, and strategies. Tools such as stakeholder maps or power-interest grids help organizations gain perspective on who holds influence and what their potential moves might be.

Just as threat modeling analyzes potential threats to a system, stakeholder analysis evaluates potential impacts and alignments around business objectives. Harvard Business Review advocates for such insight in successful negotiations, highlighting the critical value of understanding counterparties to find common ground and anticipate challenges (Know the People at the Table).

The Benefits of Combining Both Perspectives

By applying threat modeling principles beyond cybersecurity into stakeholder analysis, organizations can:

• Identify hidden motivations: Understanding not just what stakeholders want but why they want it helps in anticipating potential shifts.
• Assess tactics: Recognizing how peers and competitors might act allows proactive strategy formulation.
• Build better relationships: Empathy developed from understanding others' perspectives enhances collaboration.

Such integrated insight aligns with the mission of platforms like CyberTalent.ai, which leverage data and AI to better understand cyber professionals and stakeholders, bridging technical and human factors.

Conclusion

Whether securing digital assets or navigating corporate negotiations, knowing the players involved—their tools, motivations, and tactics—is key to success. Threat modeling offers a systematic way to gain this understanding in cybersecurity, while the business concept of "knowing the people at the table" stands as its strategic counterpart. Combining these views enables organizations to anticipate challenges, foster stronger partnerships, and gain a competitive edge.

References:

• Microsoft Threat Modeling Guide
• Harvard Business Review: Know the People at the Table