An adversary model is a structured cybersecurity framework used to profile and understand potential threat actors targeting an organization. It comprehensively outlines the intentions, motivations, capabilities, resources, and typical tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) of relevant adversaries. This profiling approach goes beyond generic threat assessments by providing granular insights into who potential attackers are, what objectives they pursue, and how they are likely to operate against specific organizational assets.

By leveraging an adversary model, cybersecurity professionals can anticipate attack vectors, predict adversarial behaviors, and proactively align defensive strategies. This intelligence-driven approach informs critical security decisions including architecture design, technology investments, penetration testing methodologies, and incident response planning. Ultimately, adversary models transform reactive security measures into proactive defense postures, enabling organizations to systematically mitigate risks and protect critical infrastructure against evolving cyber threats.