Create A Data Flow Diagram Of A System Can Use A Real Work

Create A Data Flow Diagram Of Some System Can Use A Real World Examp

Create a data flow diagram of some system. Can use a real world example or a hypothetical one. Write a summary explaining the data flow diagram and trust boundaries. Using STRIDE with the Data Flow Diagram, provide a list of threats against the model. The list should include which element of the mnemonic they represent (spoofing, tampering, etc.) The submissions will be reviewed by SafeAssign to ensure that there isn’t any plagiarism.

Any and all submissions that are noted as such will be given a score of 0. Express these concepts in own words. The requirements are: 1. 1. Complete a Data Flow Diagram. 2. 2. Provide a summary of the diagram. 3. 3. Using STRIDE, identify threats. 4. 4. The submission must be in the form of a Microsoft Word document. 5. Double spaced 3 pages 5

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Understanding data flow diagrams (DFDs) is essential in system analysis and security assessment. This paper illustrates a DFD of an online banking system, explains its components and trust boundaries, and conducts a threat analysis using the STRIDE framework. These elements collectively contribute to identifying vulnerabilities and enhancing the system's security posture.

Data Flow Diagram of Online Banking System

The online banking system involves several key entities: customers, bank servers, authentication services, and external systems such as credit bureaus. Customers interact with the system through a web interface, submitting login credentials, transaction requests, and viewing account information. The authentication service verifies user credentials and grants access. Once authenticated, customers can transfer funds, pay bills, or check balances.

The data flows include:

- Customer inputs (login details, transaction requests) sent to the web server.

- Web server passes authentication requests to the authentication service.

- Authentication service responds with access rights.

- Transaction data is sent from customers to the web server.

- The web server processes transactions and communicates with banking databases.

- Transaction responses, account updates, and notifications are sent back to customers.

Trust boundaries are established where sensitive data crosses segments. For instance, the boundary between the customer's device and the web server is a trust boundary due to exposure to the internet, requiring encryption. Similarly, communications between the web server and backend databases encompass sensitive data that need protections.

Summary of the Data Flow Diagram and Trust Boundaries

The DFD presents an online banking system that manages multiple processes and data exchanges. Critical trust boundaries exist where customer data enters the system through internet-connected devices, and internal boundaries protect sensitive information within the bank’s infrastructure. These boundaries delineate areas of heightened security where measures such as encryption, authentication, and access control are vital to prevent unauthorized access or data breaches.

The diagram illustrates how data flows from external environments into internal systems and how multiple layers of security measures are necessary at each boundary. Effective identification of these boundaries helps in implementing focused security controls, reducing the risk of attacks.

Threat Analysis Using STRIDE

Applying the STRIDE framework to the online banking system uncovers potential security threats. The following list matches threats to the relevant STRIDE categories, indicating vulnerabilities in the described model.

  1. Spoofing: An attacker could impersonate a legitimate user by stealing login credentials or creating fake authentication tokens, risking unauthorized access.
  2. Tampering: Malicious actors might alter transaction data in transit or within the database, leading to unauthorized fund transfers or data corruption.
  3. Repudiation: Users could deny actions such as transactions or logins if proper logging and audit trails are not maintained, hindering accountability.
  4. Information Disclosure: Inadequate encryption could allow attackers to intercept sensitive data like login credentials, personal information, or transaction details.
  5. Denial of Service: Attackers may flood the web server with excessive requests, rendering the service unavailable to legitimate users and disrupting banking operations.
  6. Elevation of Privilege: Vulnerabilities within the authentication system could be exploited to grant unauthorized users administrative privileges, compromising the entire system.

Each threat corresponds to a specific component or data flow within the DFD, emphasizing the importance of security controls in mitigating risks across various layers of the system. Using STRIDE enables systematic identification and prioritization of security measures, such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, secure coding practices, and logging mechanisms.

Conclusion

This paper demonstrates the construction of a data flow diagram for an online banking system, highlighting critical trust boundaries and vulnerable components. The subsequent threat analysis using STRIDE exposes key security risks that must be addressed to safeguard user data and maintain system integrity. Implementing appropriate controls at identified trust boundaries and mitigating threats ensures the system's resilience against potential attacks, thus securing both customer information and the bank’s operational stability.

References

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