What is the first step in a fault attack strategy?

The first step in a fault attack strategy involves ranking errors by risk level. This stage is crucial because it allows the testing team to prioritize which potential faults or vulnerabilities could have the most significant impact on the system being tested. By assessing the risk level of different errors, testers can focus their efforts on the most critical areas first, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently to mitigate the most severe threats.

Understanding the risk associated with different errors provides a strategic overview that can dictate the course of subsequent actions, such as designing tests or executing them. This prioritization helps teams ensure they address the most dangerous risks early in the testing process, potentially preventing significant issues before they arise.

In contrast, designing tests, executing tests, and logging test results are all steps that come after determining which errors present the highest risks. Those actions rely on the initial ranking to ensure that the testing efforts are aligned with addressing the most pressing vulnerabilities identified.