Attack trees allow threats against system security to be modelled concisely in an easy to understand graphical format. The effectiveness of internet security, network security, banking system security, installation and personnel security may all be modelled using attack trees. With the increased risk of terrorist attacks on homeland security, hacking attacks on computer systems and computer-based fraud on banking systems, attack tree analysis is an invaluable tool for system designers and security personnel.

Attack tree analysis provides a method to model the threats against a system in a graphical easy-to-understand manner. If we understand the ways in which a system can be attacked we can develop countermeasures to prevent those attacks achieving their goal.