MITRE has introduced the Cyber Attack-Defense (CAD) tool as part of the D3FEND 1.0 release. This tool empowers security practitioners to build detailed, structured cybersecurity scenarios based on D3FEND’s rigorous knowledge graph. The D3FEND ontology offers a semantically precise framework, making it easier to analyze and understand complex cybersecurity data. With this structured approach, users can create “D3FEND Graphs” that detail activities, objects, and conditions linked by defined relationships.
The CAD tool is browser-based, allowing users to drag and drop nodes representing attacks, countermeasures, and digital artifacts. It offers a powerful feature where users can “explode” nodes to explore attack vectors and defensive measures within the D3FEND knowledge base. This functionality helps to visualize the intricate relationships between different cybersecurity elements. Additionally, the tool enables the creation of semantic relationships between the nodes, aiding in the comprehensive mapping of cybersecurity scenarios.
Designed to support multiple cybersecurity roles, the CAD tool is useful for threat intelligence, security systems engineering, and risk assessment. It facilitates detailed detection engineering, incident investigations, and the implementation of security frameworks. MITRE emphasizes that the tool encourages collaboration across teams by allowing users to share, export, and embed D3FEND Graphs. This makes it easier to communicate complex cybersecurity scenarios while ensuring clarity and consistency.
The D3FEND CAD tool is the result of collaboration with defense organizations like the NSA and Cyber Warfare Directorate. It helps standardize the language used in cybersecurity, providing a conceptual framework for addressing evolving threats. As cybersecurity landscapes grow more complex, the tool offers a systematic approach to developing defense strategies and improving security models across industries.
Reference:
