Definition
STRIDE is a threat modeling framework used to identify and categorize potential security threats to software systems. It stands for Spoofing, Tampering, Repudiation, Information Disclosure, Denial of Service, and Elevation of Privilege. By systematically considering each of these threat categories, development and security teams can proactively identify vulnerabilities. This process helps ensure that security controls are designed and implemented effectively to mitigate identified risks. For instance, a team might use STRIDE to analyze a web application, identifying that a lack of proper authentication (Spoofing) could allow unauthorized access. A common confusion arises when STRIDE is seen as a complete security solution rather than a diagnostic tool for threat identification. This framework is frequently encountered in cybersecurity certifications like CompTIA Security+ and CISSP.