# AI Application Architecture and Attack Surface

> Understand the core components of AI applications and map the unique attack surfaces introduced by LLMs, vector databases, and agentic frameworks.

Canonical: https://codelivly.com/learning-paths/ai-application-architecture-and-attack-surface
Last updated: 2026-10-07

| | |
|---|---|
| Level | Beginner |
| Category | Cybersecurity |
| Rooms | 5 |
| Lessons | 17 |
| Estimated time | 2 h 30 min |

This beginner-friendly learning path demystifies the internal architecture of modern AI applications. You will explore the core components, including Large Language Models (LLMs), vector databases, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines, and agentic frameworks. By understanding how these pieces connect, you will learn to map the expanded attack surface unique to AI systems. The curriculum covers identifying vulnerabilities in prompt ingestion, context retrieval, and tool execution, equipping you with the foundational knowledge to secure next-generation AI deployments against emerging threats.

## Rooms in this path

1. [Anatomy of an AI Application](https://codelivly.com/rooms/anatomy-of-an-ai-application) - Deconstruct modern AI applications into their core components: LLMs, vector databases, orchestration layers, and tool…
2. [Where Trust Boundaries Exist in AI Systems](https://codelivly.com/rooms/where-trust-boundaries-exist-in-ai-systems) - Map the critical trust boundaries in AI architectures. Learn where untrusted data crosses into trusted systems and how…
3. [OWASP Top 10 for LLM Applications Overview](https://codelivly.com/rooms/owasp-top-10-for-llm-applications-overview) - Explore the OWASP Top 10 for LLM Applications. Learn to identify, categorize, and prioritize the most critical…
4. [AI vs Traditional Application Attack Surface](https://codelivly.com/rooms/ai-vs-traditional-application-attack-surface) - Compare the attack surfaces of traditional web applications and modern AI systems.
5. [Mapping an AI App's Full Attack Surface](https://codelivly.com/rooms/mapping-an-ai-apps-full-attack-surface) - Learn a systematic methodology to map, document, and evaluate the complete attack surface of modern AI applications,…

## Related

- [Career path: AI Red Teaming and Adversarial ML](https://codelivly.com/career-paths/ai-red-teaming-and-adversarial-ml)
- [Bug Bounty Workflow & Disclosure](https://codelivly.com/learning-paths/bug-bounty-workflow-and-disclosure)
- [Security Monitoring and Compliance Automation](https://codelivly.com/learning-paths/security-monitoring-and-compliance-automation)
- [Software Supply Chain Security](https://codelivly.com/learning-paths/software-supply-chain-security)