Threat Modeling
for Fintech
PCI DSS v4.0 requires a targeted risk analysis wherever a control's frequency is flexible, and the PCI Secure SLC standard expects payment software vendors to threat model every product and release. ThreatTree gives your team a structured place to scope the cardholder data environment, identify threats, and produce the evidence your assessor reviews.
Payment security expectations, mapped to ThreatTree
From CDE scoping to assessor-ready evidence -- here's where each expectation fits in a ThreatTree forest.
| Requirement expects | In ThreatTree | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardholder data environment scoping Clear boundary between in-scope and out-of-scope network segments |
A Data Flow Diagram tree with a trust boundary around the CDE, keeping segmented networks and services outside it |
| 2 | Data & asset identification Where PAN and other cardholder data is stored, processed, or transmitted |
DFD data stores and processes tagged for cardholder data, so every flow touching PAN is visible, not just documented in a spreadsheet |
| 3 | Threat identification (Secure SLC Req. 2) A defined, repeatable methodology applied to each product or release |
STRIDE tagging across every DFD element gives you a consistent, repeatable methodology with a version history you can point to across releases |
| 4 | Targeted risk analysis (Req. 12.3.1) Justify the frequency and rigor of a flexible control |
Attack Trees decompose each threat into AND/OR attack steps, scored with Likelihood x Impact to justify treatment decisions |
| 5 | Assessor evidence Documentation a QSA or ISA can review during a Report on Compliance |
Export the forest as a PDF report with architecture, attack trees, and ranked risk register as ROC supporting evidence |
What this is, and isn't: ThreatTree is a threat modeling tool, not a Qualified Security Assessor or a substitute for your compliance team. It helps you build and document the threat model and risk analysis evidence PCI DSS and Secure SLC describe -- whether a specific control or requirement is satisfied is a determination your QSA/ISA makes.
Evidence a QSA can trace, end to end
Every threat traces back to a CDE component, and every risk decision traces back to a rated attack path.
-
Trust-Boundary CDE Scoping
Draw a trust boundary around the cardholder data environment and keep segmented networks outside it -- your scoping diagram and your threat model are the same artifact.
-
Attack Path Decomposition
Break each threat into an Attack Tree with AND/OR logic, from attacker goal to atomic step, tagged with CAPEC and MITRE ATT&CK.
-
Prioritized Risk Register
Likelihood x Impact scoring generates a ranked risk register automatically across every tree in a forest -- the basis for a targeted risk analysis, not a gut-feel priority list.
-
Assessment-Ready PDF Reports
Generate a report with architecture, attack trees, and ranked risk register in a single PDF -- built to sit alongside your Report on Compliance evidence.
Fintech threat modeling, answered
What payment and fintech security teams ask before adopting ThreatTree.
Does ThreatTree replace our QSA assessment?
No. ThreatTree helps you build the threat model, cardholder data environment (CDE) architecture, and targeted risk analysis evidence your Qualified Security Assessor or Internal Security Assessor will review -- it doesn't perform the assessment itself.
Does ThreatTree satisfy PCI Secure SLC's formal threat modeling requirement?
The PCI Software Security Framework's Secure SLC standard expects payment software vendors to threat model each product or release using a defined, repeatable methodology. ThreatTree gives you a structured STRIDE-based methodology and an auditable record of every review -- whether that satisfies your specific Secure SLC assessment is determined by your assessor.
Can ThreatTree scope a Data Flow Diagram to just the cardholder data environment?
Yes. Draw a trust boundary around the CDE and keep out-of-scope network segments outside it, matching how PCI DSS network segmentation is documented and assessed.
Can I re-run the same threat model for each software release?
Yes. Duplicate a forest or update it in place as your architecture changes, and export a fresh PDF per release -- useful for Secure SLC's per-release threat modeling expectation.
Start your CDE threat model in ThreatTree
Free plan available -- no credit card required. Be up and running in minutes.