Dr. Michael Loadenthal -- Intersectional, Harm Reduction Approach to Threat Modeling
Listen now
Description
Dr. Michael Loadenthal specializes in threat modeling beyond the conventional realm of technology. Companies today face multifaceted challenges, including political, legal, and technical threats. Solutions to these problems can also be varied. A comprehensive threat model should consider many dimensions, such as political, legal, ethical, and social. Whether advising activist groups or high-profile individuals, Dr. Loadenthal emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of the threat landscape and the development of context-specific solutions. Dr. Loadenthal's unique approach to threat modeling is rooted in his early involvement in social movements and activism. He noticed that groups often faced many non-technical threats, such as legal, social, and political challenges. This realization led him to develop "intersectional threat modeling," which considers a broader spectrum of threats beyond just the technical. Based on his diverse training and experience, Dr. Loadenthal emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. He collaborates with a diverse team of specialists, including advisors and the clients themselves, to address complex challenges. Threat modeling works best with a team, and he discusses ways this works for him. One of the tools in Dr. Loadenthal's multidisciplinary toolbox is the mind map. A mind map can show relationships between threats and lead to integrated solutions that address multiple problems together. A tool he likes to use from outside the tech industry is the harm reduction framework, a concept borrowed from public health. This approach acknowledges the inherent risks in various activities or systems but seeks to minimize the potential harm. Dr. Loadenthal explains how he applies the harm reduction framework to threat modeling. He shares practical examples of companies, non-profits, and high-profile individuals who all benefit from the broader perspective of his intersectional threat modeling.
More Episodes
In this episode of the Threat Modeling Podcast, host Chris Romeo takes listeners on a journey through the intricate world of threat modeling. Joined by senior security consultant Gavin Klondike, the episode delves into Gavin's experiences and insights into threat modeling, particularly in the...
Published 08/02/24
In this podcast episode, Nandita Rao Narla explores the reasons why privacy threat modeling programs often fail, such as being expensive with a lot of friction in the development lifecycle, misalignment with organizational strategies focused on compliance rather than risk, and difficulty...
Published 05/15/24
Published 05/15/24