A method for analyzing a target system that includes obtaining a characteristics model, loading the characteristics model into a meta model, obtaining a plurality of characteristics from the target system using a characteristics extractor, wherein each of the plurality of characteristics is associated with the characteristics model, storing each of the plurality of characteristics obtained from the target system in a characteristics store, and analyzing the target system by issuing at least one query to the characteristics store to obtain an analysis result, wherein the issuing the at least one query comprises verifying the at least one query using the meta model.