Threat intelligence, also known as cyber threat intelligence, is the data an organization utilizes to understand the risks that have targeted, will target, or are presently attacking it. This information helps anticipate, prevent, and identify cyber-threats attempting to exploit valuable resources.
Threat intelligence gathers useful information about threats, constructs effective defense systems, and mitigates risks that could harm their bottom line and reputation. It provides the defense that the organization needs.
Why is Threat Intelligence Important?
Threat intelligence, when properly deployed, maintains awareness of the often overwhelming volume of threats. It keeps organizations abreast of the methodologies, weaknesses, targets, and bad actors in the field.
It also makes it easier to be more proactive in the face of future cybersecurity threats. In other instances, the big unknown can be thrilling. But in a world where any number of cyber-attacks could bring a company to its knees, any unknown factor can be terrifying.
Cyber Threat Intelligence also keeps executives, stakeholders, and users up to date on the current dangers and the potential consequences for the company. Therefore, every staff is properly trained to react accordingly to issues.
Types of Threat Intelligence
The threat landscape is continually evolving, and organizations are under increasing pressure to manage security vulnerabilities. Threat intelligence feeds help identify common indications of compromise (IOC) and advise attack avoidance.
Operational Cyber Threat Intelligence
Operational intelligence comprises machine-readable data, also known as indicators of compromise (IOCs). It can be URLs, file names and hashes, domain names, IP addresses, etc.
Its use ranges from blocking attacks to triaging and validating alerts and searching and eliminating specific threats within a network. Operational threat intelligence indicators are collected from active campaigns, attacks performed against honeypots, and data shared by third parties.
Tactical Cyber Threats Intelligence
Tactical CTI aids in determining the how and where of attacks. The how refers to threat actor tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP), which helps understand the specifics of cyberattacks. The where refers to tasks such as danger hunting. Both determine the scope of incidents and how to prevent and prepare for them.
Strategic Cyber Threats Intelligence
Strategic threat intelligence is not technical. Its goal is to give insight into the patterns and factors that shape the threat landscape. It explores the motivations and reasons behind attacks.
The aim is to determine who is behind certain threats or campaigns and why they are involved in an organization or business sector. Strategic CTI is often issued in white papers, briefings, and reports, with the C-suite and board members as its primary audience.
Some Threat Intelligence Tools for Your SOC Team
- Actor Trackr
ActorTrackr is a free, open-source web tool for storing, searching, and linking information about actors. Users and other public repositories are the main data sources, and GitHub has the source code.
- Cisco Umbrella
Cisco Umbrella extracts data from cisco infrastructure and third-party sources, which can be extremely valuable to a SOC for anticipating threats.
- ThreatFusion
Designed by US security company, SOCRadar, ThreatFusion uses artificial intelligence and big data to assist in threat investigations.
- AIEngine
AIEngine is a next-generation interactive/programmable Python/Ruby/Java/Lua packet inspection engine with human-free learning, NIDS (Network Intrusion Detection System) functionality, DNS domain classification, network collector, network forensics, and many other features.
- CrowdFMS
CrowdFMS is a framework for using the Private API system to automate the collecting and processing samples from VirusTotal. The framework downloaded recent samples automatically, which prompted a notification on the user's YARA notification feed.
- CyBot
CyBot is a chatbot for threat intelligence. It can execute a variety of custom module-provided lookups.
- Sandbox for Cuckoos
Cuckoo Sandbox is a dynamic malware analysis system that is automated. It's the most well-known open-source malware analysis sandbox on the internet.
In conclusion, while the potential of cyber threat intelligence is enticing in and of itself, it's critical to understand how it works so you can select the best cyber threat tools and solutions for your needs.