A guide to cyber threat intelligence: what it is and how it works

In a time where cyberattacks are increasingly sophisticated and relentless, businesses need more than just basic cyber defences. That’s where cyber threat intelligence comes in, a tool that enables organisations to anticipate, identify and neutralise threats before they cause harm. Rather than simply reacting to attacks, cyber threat intelligence empowers security teams to stay ahead of adversaries.

But what is cyber threat intelligence and how is it used? Well, let us dive in to guide you through the key concepts and why your business needs cyber treat intelligence.

What is cyber threat intelligence?

At its core, cyber threat intelligence (CTI) is the process of gathering, analysing and applying information about current and potential cyber threats. It enables security teams to make informed decisions about how to protect their networks, data and assets from malicious activities. Unlike traditional cyber security measures, which tend to be reactive, CTI provides the insight necessary to take a proactive stance against cyberattacks.

The definition of cyber threat intelligence covers a broad spectrum of activities, but its primary goal is clear: to keep organisations one step ahead of adversaries.

The role of cyber threat intelligence in modern cyber security

Threat intelligence in cyber security is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. With the explosion of digital transformation and the increasing interconnectivity of systems, the attack surface has expanded dramatically. Threat actors are constantly evolving their techniques, from ransomware to phishing attacks and organisations that rely solely on traditional security practices often find themselves vulnerable.

Integrating cyber security threat intelligence into a company’s overall defence strategy helps security teams understand not only who might attack but also how and when. This allows for pre-emptive actions, reducing the risk of successful attacks and minimising the impact of those that do occur.

Importance of cyber threat intelligence

So, why is cyber threat intelligence important? Simply, without CTI, security teams are left to sift through vast amounts of data, trying to determine which threats are credible and which are not. CTI streamlines this process by providing contextualised information, allowing for better prioritisation and faster response times.

Some of the key concepts of cyber threat intelligence include:

• Threat Actor Profiling: Understanding who is behind certain attacks.
• Indicators of Compromise (IOCs): Data points like IP addresses or file hashes that can signal an attack is underway or imminent.
• Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs): These reveal how adversaries operate, providing critical insight into future attacks.

Types of cyber threat intelligence

CTI is usually divided into four main categories, each serving different purposes within a security strategy.

1. Strategic intelligence
   Strategic intelligence provides a high-level overview of the current cyber threat landscape. It’s typically used by senior management to understand long-term trends and inform broader security decisions. This type of intelligence focuses on issues like geopolitical factors, emerging threats and industry-specific risks.
2. Tactical intelligence
   Tactical intelligence focuses on the specific TTPs of threat actors. It helps security teams understand the behaviour of adversaries and is crucial for anticipating future attacks. Tactical intelligence answers questions like “What vulnerabilities are being exploited?” and “How are attacks being executed?”
3. Operational intelligence
   Operational intelligence is action-oriented, providing real-time or near-real-time information that can be used to thwart ongoing attacks. This intelligence is often shared within threat-sharing communities or via security platforms to alert organisations about immediate threats.
4. Technical intelligence
   Technical intelligence deals with specific technical indicators of threats, such as malicious URLs, IP addresses or file signatures. It’s used by security analysts to detect and mitigate threats within their networks.

How to use cyber threat intelligence in security operations

The use of cyber threat intelligence in security operations centres (SOCs) is a crucial component of their managed security services. By incorporating cyber threat intelligence feeds, companies can monitor, detect and respond to threats more effectively.

Here’s a quick run through of how to integrate CTI into a security framework:

1. Data Collection: Collect data from various sources, such as threat intelligence feeds, social media and deep/dark web forums.
2. Analysis: Use machine learning and AI tools to analyse this data, identifying patterns and anomalies that could indicate potential threats.
3. Dissemination: Share the analysed intelligence with the relevant teams within the organisation. This could include SOC analysts, incident response teams and senior management.
4. Action: Based on the intelligence received, security teams can take proactive measures like patching vulnerabilities, updating firewall rules or launching incident response protocols.

By following this process and understanding the cyber threat intelligence lifecycle, organisations can effectively use practical cyber threat intelligence to defend against a wide range of cyber threats.

Challenges in implementing cyber threat intelligence

While cyber threat intelligence offers immense benefits, there are challenges that businesses must overcome to fully utilise it:

• Data Overload: With so much data available, filtering out irrelevant or low-priority information is a challenge.
• Resource Constraints: Many organisations lack the staff or expertise to properly implement and manage a CTI program.
• Integration: Integrating CTI with existing security systems can be complex, especially for organisations that have legacy systems.

Despite these challenges, with the right cyber threat intelligence tools, organisations can successfully overcome these barriers and reap the full benefits of CTI.