What is Cyber Threat Intelligence?  

Cyber Threat Intelligence involves the systematic gathering, processing, and meticulous analysis of data, all with the aim of comprehending the motives, targets, and methods employed by threat actors. This valuable practice empowers us to swiftly make security-focused decisions and transition from a reactive stance to a proactive one in our battle against cyber threats. 

Why is Threat Intelligence Important? 

The significance of threat intelligence cannot be overstated in any robust cybersecurity framework. It is an effective shield against data loss, allowing companies to proactively detect and thwart cyber threats before they can unleash havoc through data breaches, safeguarding sensitive information effectively. 

By scrutinizing and identifying threats, threat intelligence discerns the recurring patterns employed by cybercriminals, enabling enterprises to implement tailored security measures that fortify their defenses against future attacks. 

Given the ever-evolving sophistication of hackers, cybersecurity experts have adopted a collaborative approach. They openly share the Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) wielded by cybercriminals within their communities, creating a collective reservoir of knowledge to combat the ever-present menace of cybercrimes. 

Who Benefits from Threat Intelligence Tools? 

Threat intelligence tool is valuable for organizations, regardless of their scale or structure. It aids in efficiently processing threat data, providing insights into adversaries, expediting incident responses, and enabling proactive strategies to anticipate the next moves of threat actors.  

Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) benefit significantly, gaining access to a level of protection previously beyond their grasp. Conversely, large enterprises with extensive security teams can optimize their resources by harnessing external threat intelligence, thereby reducing costs and the requisite skill levels while enhancing the efficacy of their analysts. 

Moreover, threat intelligence offers distinct advantages to various security team members, including Security and IT Analysts, SOC (Security Operations Center) personnel, CSIRT (Computer Security Incident Response Team) members, Intelligence Analysts, and Executive Management. 

Threat Intelligence Lifecycle 

The Threat Intelligence Lifecycle systematically collects, analyzes, and uses threat intelligence to enhance cybersecurity. It involves several stages, each contributing to a more robust understanding of cyber threats and how to mitigate them effectively.  

Here are the key stages of the Threat Intelligence Lifecycle: 

Planning and Direction:

This initial stage involves setting the objectives and goals of your threat intelligence program. It includes defining what kind of threats you want to monitor, which assets need protection, and what outcomes you aim to achieve. 

Data Collection:

In this phase, you gather raw data from various sources. These sources include Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), information-sharing communities, government agencies, internal logs, and more. The data can be Indicators of Compromise (IoCs), threat reports, news articles, etc. 

Processing and Normalization:

Collected data often comes in different formats and structures. In this stage, you standardize and normalize the data to make it consistent and usable. This includes converting timestamps, categorizing data, and ensuring data quality. 

Analysis:

Cybersecurity experts analyze the normalized data to identify patterns, trends, and potential threats. They assess the relevance of the data to the organization, the context in which it applies, and the potential impact of the threats. 

Dissemination:

The threat intelligence reports are shared with relevant organizational stakeholders. This includes IT and security teams, executives, and other personnel responsible for implementing security measures. 

Feedback and Evaluation:

Continuous improvement is essential. This phase involves collecting feedback from security operations, incident response, and other relevant teams to assess the effectiveness of the threat intelligence program. Adjustments are made based on this feedback. 

The Threat Intelligence Lifecycle is a continuous process that helps organizations stay ahead of cyber threats, adapt to changing circumstances, and protect their digital assets effectively. 

Different Types of Threat Intelligence 

There are various forms of threat intelligence, ranging from broad, non-technical insights to specific technical information regarding distinct cyber threats. Here are some varied categories of threat intelligence: 

Strategic:

This form of threat intelligence provides an elevated perspective, placing the threat within a broader context. It comprises non-technical data suitable for presentation to a board of directors. An instance of strategic threat intelligence is a risk assessment examining how a business decision could expose the organization to cyber threats. 

Tactical:

Tactical threat intelligence centers on malicious actors’ tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). It offers a glimpse into potential attack methods and how these adversaries might infiltrate an organization’s IT infrastructure. Tactical threat intelligence is harnessed by security operations centers (SOCs), IT managers, network operations centers (NOCs), and other experienced IT personnel to thwart cyberattacks proactively. This intelligence affords them insights into the organization’s vulnerabilities, encompassing details like compromised credentials and infected devices. 

Operational:

Operational threat intelligence constitutes data that an IT department can leverage in proactively responding to a particular threat. It encompasses details regarding the attackers’ motives, the characteristics of the attack, and the timing of the assault. Ideally, this information is sourced directly from the threat actors, which can be challenging. 

What are the common Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)? 

Security professionals frequently detect signs of an ongoing or past attack by scrutinizing areas where unusual activities are evident. Artificial intelligence can significantly assist in this endeavor. Some typical Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) encompass: 

Unusual Account Behavior:

Attackers frequently seek to elevate their account privileges or transition from a compromised account to one with greater permissions. 

Login Irregularities:

Signs of trouble include after-hours login attempts to unauthorized files, rapid sequential logins from various global IP addresses to the same account, and failed login attempts from non-existent user accounts. 

Unusual Database Read Activity:

A significant uptick in database read operations may signal the extraction of an abnormally large dataset, possibly involving sensitive information like credit card numbers. 

Abnormal DNS Requests:

Elevated levels of DNS requests from a specific source or unusual patterns in DNS requests to external hosts can indicate potential external command and control traffic, suggesting an outsider’s involvement. 

High Volume of Requests:

Repeated requests for the same file can indicate persistent cyberattacks. An instance where a file receives hundreds of requests may suggest exhaustive attempts to exploit vulnerabilities. 

What is cyber threat analysis? 

Cyber threat analysis, also known as cybersecurity threat analysis, examines and evaluates various elements of cyber threats to understand their nature, scope, and potential impact on computer systems, networks, and data. It involves systematically collecting, dissecting, and interpreting information related to cyber threats to support decision-making, risk assessment, and the implementation of effective security measures. 

What is a threat intelligence platform? 

A Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform (TIP) is a comprehensive software solution designed to collect, aggregate, analyze, and disseminate cyber threat intelligence to help organizations protect their computer systems, networks, and data from various cyber threats. These platforms serve as centralized hubs for managing and utilizing threat intelligence effectively. 

What to Look for in a Threat Intelligence Solution? 

Data Quality and Scope:

One of the first things you should consider while looking for a competitive Threat Intelligence Solution is the quality and scope of the data used. The data should be current and accurate, with regular, real-time updates. It should give you an overview of IoCs, TTPs, and other actionable data points your organization requires.  

User Experience & Navigation:

The best threat intelligence in the world won’t matter much if the platform is not easy to navigate. Choose a Threat Intelligence Solution with a good user interface and ease of use, so infosec teams can easily navigate its features comfortably.  

API Support and Integration:

Ensure that any Cyber Threat Intelligence solution you are considering offers good support for Integration with critical platforms and APIs. 

Compatibility:

Another key point to remember is ensuring that the solution you adopt is compatible with your current security infrastructure, firewalls, and endpoints. 

Compliance:

Based on your industry, you may need to comply with various regulatory requirements such as TAXII/STIX and others. Ensure that the solution you implement is compliant with these and other regulatory requirements specific to your region.  

End-to-end support:

The final aspect to look for in a Threat Intelligence solution is the level and quality of support you can expect from the provider. Ensure that Service Level Agreements are appropriately drafted and agreed upon so your infosec team can promptly get the support it needs.  

As highlighted in this article, Threat Intelligence holds immense significance for both individuals and organizations in today’s digital landscape. Yet, the challenge lies in the intricate and vast nature of sourcing threat intelligence from the surface, deep, and dark web. This complexity often makes it a daunting task for individuals to acquire timely and actionable threat intelligence.

Fortunately, Cyble Vision is designed for exactly this purpose, using the power of AI to scan cybercrime forums, dark web chatter and other sources, giving your real-time Darkweb Monitoring, enabling you to implement security measures basis actionable threat intel.

See Cyble Vision in Action