System for generation and reuse of resource-centric threat modeling templates and identifying controls for securing technology resources

• US 9,832,201 B1
• Filed: 05/16/2016
• Issued: 11/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Original Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Inventors: Yu, Sounil, Sloane, Brandon Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Armouche, Hadi
• Assistant Examiner(s): Khan, Sher A
• Application Number:
  US15/156,051
• Publication Number:
  US 20170331835A1
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/554 involving event detection and direct action
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/577 Assessing vulnerabilities and evaluating computer system security
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/62 Protecting access to data via a platform, e.g. using keys or access control rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6209 to a single file or object, e.g. in a secure envelope, encrypted and accessed using a key, or with access control rules appended to the object itself
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 Multiple levels of security
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/14 for detecting or protecting against malicious traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1408 by monitoring network traffic monitoring network traffic per se H04L43/00

Abstract

Systems, computer program products, and methods are described herein for creating reusable resource-centric threat models and identifying controls for securing resources within a network. The present invention is configured to determine that an internal resource in a network requires protection from unauthorized external access; electronically receive information associated with the internal resource within the network; determine one or more threat vectors associated with the internal resource; electronically retrieve from a controls library, a control template associated with a resource category matching the resource category of the internal resource; and apply the control template to the internal resource.

Claims

1. A system for generation and implementation of threat vector templates and implementing controls for securing technology resources, the system comprising:

at least one non-transitory storage device;

at least one processor; and

instruction code stored in said storage device, said instruction code being executable by the at least one processor and configured to cause said at least one processor to;

electronically receive an analysis request associated with an internal resource from a user device associated with a user;

determine that an internal resource in a network requires protection from unauthorized external access;

electronically receive information associated with the internal resource within the network, wherein the information associated with the internal resource comprises at least a resource category;

determine one or more threat vectors associated with the internal resource, wherein the one or more threat vectors indicate one or more paths of access to the internal resource;

electronically retrieve from a controls library, a control template associated with a resource category matching the resource category of the internal resource, wherein the control template comprises a map of one or more controls to be applied to each of the one or more threat vectors associated with the internal resource, wherein the one or more controls are configured to determine access to the internal resource;

apply the control template to the internal resource, whereby the one or more controls associated with the at least one of the one or more threat vectors is configured for detecting the access to the internal resource via at least one of one or more types of access;

determine a frequency score associated with each of the one or more threat vectors, wherein the frequency score indicates a number of occurrence of a threat via each of the one or more threat vectors;

determine a magnitude of impact score associated with each of the one or more threat vectors, wherein the magnitude of impact score indicates a consequence of a loss event caused via each of the one or more threat vectors;

determine a strength associated with each of the one or more controls associated with each of the one or more threat vectors;

determine an exposure score associated with each of the one or more threat vectors based on at least the frequency score, the magnitude of impact score, and the strength associated with each of the one or more controls associated with each of the one or more threat vectors;

determine that the exposure score associated with at least one of the one or more threat vectors is greater than a predetermined threshold;

determine one or more additional controls configured for detecting the access to the internal resource, wherein the one or more controls are stored in a controls library;

initiate, via an established communicable link, a recommendation interface for display on the user device, the recommendation interface comprising the one or more additional controls recommended to the user for incorporation;

electronically receive, via the established communication link, a user selection of at least one of the one or more additional controls recommended to the user; and

incorporate the one or more additional controls selected by the user, wherein incorporating the one or more additional controls lowers the exposure score to below the predetermined threshold.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the instruction code is further configured to cause the at least one processor to:

determine the one or more types of access associated with each of the one or more threat vectors, wherein the one or more types of access indicate one or more ways in which the internal resource can be accessed via each of the one or more threat vectors.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more controls are configured to be regulated to monitor access to the internal resource via at least one of the one or more threat vectors, reducing the exposure score associated with each of the one or more threat vectors.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the instruction code is further configured to cause the at least one processor to:

determine a cost associated with the incorporation of each of the one or more additional controls;

determine that the cost associated with the incorporation of each of the one or more additional controls is lower than a difference between the exposure score associated with the at least one of the one or more threat vectors before implementation of the one or more additional controls and after the implementation of the one or more additional controls;

wherein the recommendation interface is initiated based on determining that the cost associated with the incorporation of each of the one or more additional controls is lower than a difference between the exposure score associated with the at least one of the one or more threat vectors before implementation of the one or more additional controls and after the implementation of the one or more additional controls.

5. A computerized method for generation and implementation of threat vector templates and implementing controls for securing technology resources, the method comprising:

electronically receiving, using a computing device processor, an analysis request associated with an internal resource from a user device associated with a user;

determining, using a computing device processor, that an internal resource in a network requires protection from unauthorized external access;

electronically receiving, using a computing device processor, information associated with the internal resource within the network, wherein the information associated with the internal resource comprises at least a resource category;

determining, using a computing device processor, one or more threat vectors associated with the internal resource, wherein the one or more threat vectors indicate one or more paths of access to the internal resource;

electronically retrieving, using a computing device processor, from a controls library, a control template associated with a resource category matching the resource category of the internal resource, wherein the control template comprises a map of one or more controls to be applied to each of the one or more threat vectors associated with the internal resource, wherein the one or more controls are configured to determine access to the internal resource;

applying, using a computing device processor, the control template to the internal resource, whereby the one or more controls associated with the at least one of the one or more threat vectors is configured for detecting the access to the internal resource via at least one of one or more types of access;

determining, using a computing device processor, a frequency score associated with each of the one or more threat vectors, wherein the frequency score indicates a number of occurrence of a threat via each of the one or more threat vectors;

determining, using a computing device processor, a magnitude of impact score associated with each of the one or more threat vectors, wherein the magnitude of impact score indicates a consequence of a loss event caused via each of the one or more threat vectors;

determining, using a computing device processor, a strength associated with each of the one or more controls associated with each of the one or more threat vectors;

determining, using a computing device processor, an exposure score associated with each of the one or more threat vectors based on at least the frequency score, the magnitude of impact score, and the strength associated with each of the one or more controls associated with each of the one or more threat vectors;

determining, using a computing device processor, that the exposure score associated with at least one of the one or more threat vectors is greater than a predetermined threshold;

determining, using a computing device processor, one or more additional controls configured for detecting the access to the internal resource, wherein the one or more controls are stored in a controls library;

initiating, using a computing device processor, via an established communicable link, a recommendation interface for display on the user device, the recommendation interface comprising the one or more additional controls recommended to the user for incorporation;

electronically receiving, using a computing device processor, via the established communication link, a user selection of at least one of the one or more additional controls recommended to the user; and

incorporating, using a computing device processor, the one or more additional controls selected by the user, wherein incorporating the one or more additional controls lowers the exposure score to below the predetermined threshold.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the method further comprises determining the one or more types of access associated with each of the one or more threat vectors, wherein the one or more types of access indicate one or more ways in which the internal resource can be accessed via each of the one or more threat vectors.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the one or more controls are configured to be regulated to monitor access to the internal resource via at least one of the one or more threat vectors, reducing the exposure score associated with each of the one or more threat vectors.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the method further comprises:

determining a cost associated with the incorporation of each of the one or more additional controls;

determining that the cost associated with the incorporation of each of the one or more additional controls is lower than a difference between the exposure score associated with the at least one of the one or more threat vectors before implementation of the one or more additional controls and after the implementation of the one or more additional controls;

wherein the recommendation interface is initiated based on determining that the cost associated with the incorporation of each of the one or more additional controls is lower than a difference between the exposure score associated with the at least one of the one or more threat vectors before implementation of the one or more additional controls and after the implementation of the one or more additional controls, initiating, via the established communicable link.

9. A computer program product for generation and implementation of threat vector templates and implementing controls for securing technology resources, the computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising code causing a first apparatus to:

electronically receive an analysis request associated with an internal resource from a user device associated with a user;

determine that an internal resource in a network requires protection from unauthorized external access;

electronically receive information associated with the internal resource within the network, wherein the information associated with the internal resource comprises at least a resource category;

determine one or more threat vectors associated with the internal resource, wherein the one or more threat vectors indicate one or more paths of access to the internal resource;

electronically retrieve from a controls library, a control template associated with a resource category matching the resource category of the internal resource, wherein the control template comprises a map of one or more controls to be applied to each of the one or more threat vectors associated with the internal resource, wherein the one or more controls are configured to determine access to the internal resource;

apply the control template to the internal resource, whereby the one or more controls associated with the at least one of the one or more threat vectors is configured for detecting the access to the internal resource via at least one of one or more types of access;

determine a frequency score associated with each of the one or more threat vectors, wherein the frequency score indicates a number of occurrence of a threat via each of the one or more threat vectors;

determine a magnitude of impact score associated with each of the one or more threat vectors, wherein the magnitude of impact score indicates a consequence of a loss event caused via each of the one or more threat vectors;

determine a strength associated with each of the one or more controls associated with each of the one or more threat vectors;

determine an exposure score associated with each of the one or more threat vectors based on at least the frequency score, the magnitude of impact score, and the strength associated with each of the one or more controls associated with each of the one or more threat vectors;

determine that the exposure score associated with at least one of the one or more threat vectors is greater than a predetermined threshold;

determine one or more additional controls configured for detecting the access to the internal resource, wherein the one or more controls are stored in a controls library;

initiate, via an established communicable link, a recommendation interface for display on the user device, the recommendation interface comprising the one or more additional controls recommended to the user for incorporation;

electronically receive, via the established communication link, a user selection of at least one of the one or more additional controls recommended to the user; and

incorporate the one or more additional controls selected by the user, wherein incorporating the one or more additional controls lowers the exposure score to below the predetermined threshold.

10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the first apparatus is further configured to:

determine the one or more types of access associated with each of the one or more threat vectors, wherein the one or more types of access indicate one or more ways in which the internal resource can be accessed via each of the one or more threat vectors.

11. A computerized method for generation and implementation of threat vector templates and implementing controls for securing technology resources, the method comprising:

electronically receiving, using a computing device processor, an analysis request associated with an internal resource from a user device associated with a user;

determining, using a computing device processor, that an internal resource in a network requires protection from unauthorized external access;

electronically receive information associated with the internal resource within the network, wherein the information associated with the internal resource comprises at least a resource category;

determining, using a computing device processor, one or more threat vectors associated with the internal resource, wherein the one or more threat vectors indicate one or more paths of access to the internal resource;

electronically retrieving, using a computing device processor, from a controls library, a control template associated with a resource category matching the resource category of the internal resource, wherein the control template comprises a map of one or more controls to be applied to each of the one or more threat vectors associated with the internal resource, wherein the one or more controls are configured to determine access to the internal resource;

applying, using a computing device processor, the control template to the internal resource, whereby the one or more controls associated with the at least one of the one or more threat vectors is configured for detecting the access to the internal resource via at least one of one or more types of access;

determining, using a computing device processor, a frequency score associated with each of the one or more threat vectors, wherein the frequency score indicates a number of occurrence of a threat via each of the one or more threat vectors;

determining, using a computing device processor, a magnitude of impact score associated with each of the one or more threat vectors, wherein the magnitude of impact score indicates a consequence of a loss event caused via each of the one or more threat vectors;

determining, using a computing device processor, a strength associated with each of the one or more controls associated with each of the one or more threat vectors;

determining, using a computing device processor, an exposure score associated with each of the one or more threat vectors based on at least the frequency score, the magnitude of impact score, and the strength associated with each of the one or more controls associated with each of the one or more threat vectors;

determining, using a computing device processor, one or more additional controls;

determining, using a computing device processor, a cost associated with the incorporation of each of the one or more additional controls;

determining, using a computing device processor, that the cost associated with the incorporation of each of the one or more additional controls is lower than a difference between the exposure score associated with the at least one of the one or more threat vectors before implementation of the one or more additional controls and after the implementation of the one or more additional controls; and

based on determining that the cost associated with the incorporation of each of the one or more additional controls is lower than a difference between the exposure score associated with the at least one of the one or more threat vectors before implementation of the one or more additional controls and after the implementation of the one or more additional controls, incorporating, using a computing device processor, the one or more additional controls.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises:

based on determining that the cost associated with the incorporation of each of the one or more additional controls is lower than a difference between the exposure score associated with the at least one of the one or more threat vectors before implementation of the one or more additional controls and after the implementation of the one or more additional controls, initiating, using a computing device processor, via an established communicable link, a recommendation interface for display on the user device, the recommendation interface comprising the one or more additional controls; and

electronically receiving, using a computing device processor, via the established communication link, a user selection of at least one of the one or more additional controls;

wherein the one or more additional controls are incorporated in response to the user selection.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises automatically incorporating, using a computing device processor, the one or more additional controls based on determining that the cost associated with the incorporation of each of the one or more additional controls is lower than a difference between the exposure score associated with the at least one of the one or more threat vectors before implementation of the one or more additional controls and after the implementation of the one or more additional controls.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises determining, using a computing device processor, the one or more types of access associated with each of the one or more threat vectors, wherein the one or more types of access indicate one or more ways in which the internal resource can be accessed via each of the one or more threat vectors.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more controls are configured to be regulated to monitor access to the internal resource via at least one of the one or more threat vectors, reducing the exposure score associated with each of the one or more threat vectors.

16. A system for generation and implementation of threat vector templates and implementing controls for securing technology resources, the system comprising:

at least one non-transitory storage device;

at least one processor; and

instruction code stored in said storage device, said instruction code being executable by the at least one processor and configured to cause said at least one processor to;

electronically receive an analysis request associated with an internal resource from a user device associated with a user;

determine that an internal resource in a network requires protection from unauthorized external access;

electronically receive information associated with the internal resource within the network, wherein the information associated with the internal resource comprises at least a resource category;

determine one or more threat vectors associated with the internal resource, wherein the one or more threat vectors indicate one or more paths of access to the internal resource;

electronically retrieve from a controls library, a control template associated with a resource category matching the resource category of the internal resource, wherein the control template comprises a map of one or more controls to be applied to each of the one or more threat vectors associated with the internal resource, wherein the one or more controls are configured to determine access to the internal resource;

apply the control template to the internal resource, whereby the one or more controls associated with the at least one of the one or more threat vectors is configured for detecting the access to the internal resource via at least one of one or more types of access;

determine a frequency score associated with each of the one or more threat vectors, wherein the frequency score indicates a number of occurrence of a threat via each of the one or more threat vectors;

determine a magnitude of impact score associated with each of the one or more threat vectors, wherein the magnitude of impact score indicates a consequence of a loss event caused via each of the one or more threat vectors;

determine a strength associated with each of the one or more controls associated with each of the one or more threat vectors;

determine an exposure score associated with each of the one or more threat vectors based on at least the frequency score, the magnitude of impact score, and the strength associated with each of the one or more controls associated with each of the one or more threat vectors;

determine one or more additional controls;

determine a cost associated with the incorporation of each of the one or more additional controls;

determine that the cost associated with the incorporation of each of the one or more additional controls is lower than a difference between the exposure score associated with the at least one of the one or more threat vectors before implementation of the one or more additional controls and after the implementation of the one or more additional controls; and

based on determining that the cost associated with the incorporation of each of the one or more additional controls is lower than a difference between the exposure score associated with the at least one of the one or more threat vectors before implementation of the one or more additional controls and after the implementation of the one or more additional controls, incorporate the one or more additional controls.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the instruction code is further configured to cause the at least one processor to:

based on determining that the cost associated with the incorporation of each of the one or more additional controls is lower than a difference between the exposure score associated with the at least one of the one or more threat vectors before implementation of the one or more additional controls and after the implementation of the one or more additional controls, initiate, via an established communicable link, a recommendation interface for display on the user device, the recommendation interface comprising the one or more additional controls; and

electronically receive, via the established communication link, a user selection of at least one of the one or more additional controls;

wherein the one or more additional controls are incorporated in response to the user selection.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the instruction code is further configured to cause the at least one processor to automatically incorporate the one or more additional controls based on determining that the cost associated with the incorporation of each of the one or more additional controls is lower than a difference between the exposure score associated with the at least one of the one or more threat vectors before implementation of the one or more additional controls and after the implementation of the one or more additional controls.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the instruction code is further configured to cause the at least one processor to determine the one or more types of access associated with each of the one or more threat vectors, wherein the one or more types of access indicate one or more ways in which the internal resource can be accessed via each of the one or more threat vectors.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the one or more controls are configured to be regulated to monitor access to the internal resource via at least one of the one or more threat vectors, reducing the exposure score associated with each of the one or more threat vectors.