In a method for scaling up/down security (non-functional) components of an application, determine (a) types of interactions and a number of each type of interaction each non-security (functional) component has with security components for a plurality of requests. Determine, based on (a) and an expected number of incoming requests to the application, (b) types of requests to and interactions with the security components involving the non-security components and (c) a number of requests to and interactions with the security components involving non-security components for each type of request to the security components involving non-security components. Determine, for each security component, a capacity required for each type of request involving the non-security components and a capacity required for each type of interaction involving the non-security components. Change the capacities of the security components to new capacities, wherein the new capacities are based on (a), (c) and the determined capacities.