Definition
Cybersecurity threat intelligence is a knowledge that is based on evidence. It allows you to understand the threats in the cyber realm.
These pieces of evidence include:
- context
- indicators
- action-based advice of a hazard
The collected data from the evidence will then be examined and filtered. The result of this examination will be used to create security solutions.
Your understanding of the cybersecurity threats will help you prepare in advance. Thus, it helps prevent or lessen cybersecurity threats.
Not knowing how cyber threats affect you is terrifying. It can cause great damage to your organization.
By learning valuable information through threat intelligence, you can build defense mechanisms.
But why is it vital to your organization?
Why is cybersecurity threat intelligence vital?
The primary purpose of threat intel is to inform you about the risks of advanced threats. If you know what these threats are, you’ll know how to fight against them.
It can also help you to solve the following:
- Be more updated about the threats. You will also be more knowledgable about the ways, targets, dangers, and types of attackers.
- Develop confidence in future security threats.
- Stay informed about the current attacks and their effect on your business.
How does cybersecurity threat intelligence work?
Threat intel is the finished product of a six-part Threat Intelligence Lifecycle.
- Direction
- Collection
- Processing
- Analysis
- Dissemination
- Feedback
Direction
In the direction part of the cycle, you will set goals for your threat intel program.
Also, it involves understanding of the following data:
- sensitive information and process of your business
- the consequence of losing that information
- types of threat intel to respond to attacks
- your priorities
To help you determine your threat intel needs, ask yourself:
“What kind of attackers are we at most vulnerable?”
Collection
In the collection part, you will gather information. It is vital to address your threat intel needs.
You can collect data through:
- getting logs from your networks and devices
- joining threat data feeds
- making conversation and interviews with sources
- reading news and blogs
- browsing websites and forums
The result of this data gathering is combined. It will result in intelligence reports and will contribute to your intel.
Processing
In the processing phase, your collected information is organized. It will also contain metadata tags. Besides, this phase will filter false positives and negatives.
For example, a security vendor may extract an IP address. Then, they will import security information and event management product.
Additionally, this phase may include removing threat indicators from email. Also, it involves interacting with protection tools for automatic blocking.
Analysis
In the analysis phase, your processed information will turn into threat intelligence. It will now help you form actions. These actions include:
- threat investigation
- blocking of attacks
- enhancing security protocols
Dissemination
In this phase, your finished threat intelligence will be distributed. By doing this, your intel will finally work.
Usually, cybersecurity companies have six teams at the very least. These teams will benefit greatly from your reports.
Feedback
Finally, when you complete your threat intelligence cycle, it has to be reviewed. Then, you must determine if the questions were answered in your direction phase.
Thus, answer your objectives and procedures. It will help you build your next cybersecurity threat intelligence.
