Choosing Your First Target System

Selecting the right system for your initial threat modeling exercise significantly impacts your learning experience and success. The ideal candidate is a system you understand well but isn't overly complex. Avoid starting with your organization's most critical or complicated application. Instead, choose something manageable that still provides meaningful security insights.

A simple web application makes an excellent first target. Consider an internal tool, a basic customer-facing service, or even a personal project. The system should have clear boundaries, identifiable data flows, and obvious assets worth protecting. For example, a basic e-commerce site with user registration, product browsing, and payment processing provides sufficient complexity without being overwhelming. Alternatively, an internal employee directory application offers a contained scope while still presenting real security considerations.

Gather basic information about your chosen system before beginning the threat modeling process. Document its primary purpose, main functionalities, user types, and data categories it handles. Identify key technologies used, such as programming languages, frameworks, databases, and hosting platforms. This preparation ensures you have the necessary context for effective threat modeling without getting bogged down in excessive detail gathering.