Threat model
What is threat model
Systematic analysis of what you protect, from whom and what resources adversary has
Key questions
- •What exactly are you protecting?
- •From whom are you protecting?
- •How can they attack?
- •What resources do they have?
- •What happens if compromised?
Government agencies
Capabilities:
- •Unlimited resources
- •Infrastructure access
- •Coercion and pressure
Resources: Billions of dollars, intelligence services
Corporations
Capabilities:
- •Big data and AI
- •Platform control
- •Economic pressure
Resources: Hundreds of millions, technology
Criminal groups
Capabilities:
- •Flexibility and motivation
- •Law breaking
- •Physical coercion
Resources: Millions, specialists
Multi-layered protection
Onion principle
Each protection layer is independent — compromise of one doesn't mean fall of all others
Layer 1: Cryptography
Mathematical data protection
AES-256 encryption
Elliptic curves
Quantum-resistant algorithms
Layer 2: Access control
Restriction and authentication
Multi-factor authentication
Biometric data
Time restrictions
Layer 3: Network protection
Traffic hiding and masking
Multi-layer secure channels
Steganography
Legal traffic imitation
Layer 4: Behavioral protection
Operational security
Communication protocols
Compromise procedures
Psychological preparation
Advanced techniques
Steganography
Hiding data inside ordinary files
How it works:
Secret is hidden in image or document
Pros:
- +Invisible to observers
- +Filter bypass
Cons:
- -Implementation complexity
- -Analysis vulnerability
Dead drops
Transmission through intermediate storage
How it works:
Data is left in agreed location
Pros:
- +No direct contact
- +Time decoupling
Cons:
- -Interception risk
- -Coordination complexity
Duress codes
Special passwords for emergency situations
How it works:
Alternative password destroys data
Pros:
- +Protection under coercion
- +Hidden destruction
Cons:
- -Accidental activation risk
- -Memory complexity
Plausible deniability
Impossibility to prove secret existence
How it works:
Hidden partitions and false data
Pros:
- +Legal protection
- +Psychological advantage
Cons:
- -Technical complexity
- -Not always effective
Maximum security checklist
Before use
Check every point — your security may depend on it
📋Preparation
📋Link creation
📋Data transmission
📋After transmission
Emergency procedures
Planning for worst case
Prepare procedures for compromise or coercion cases
System compromise
Signs of breach or leak detected
Actions:
- 1Immediately disconnect from network
- 2Activate emergency destruction codes
- 3Notify all participants
- 4Switch to backup communication channels
Surveillance detection
Suspicions of monitoring or interception
Actions:
- 1Stop all operations
- 2Change all channels and methods
- 3Conduct security check
- 4Activate disinformation protocols
Coercion
Physical or legal pressure
Actions:
- 1Use duress codes
- 2Activate plausible deniability
- 3Notify lawyers and colleagues
- 4Follow pre-rehearsed scenario
Technical failure
System failure or access loss
Actions:
- 1Switch to backup systems
- 2Restore from secure backups
- 3Verify data integrity
- 4Update all procedures
Ready for maximum protection?
Use highest standard security for critically important data