Threat intelligence (cyber threat intelligence) is information that an organization uses to understand the threats that are currently targeting it. This data is used to prepare, prevent, and identify cyber threats seeking to exploit valuable resources. TI assists organizations in being prepared for emerging threats, making an important contribution to overall security functions.
Threat intelligence enables organizations in gaining valuable knowledge about these threats, develop effective defense mechanisms, and mitigate risks that could impact their bottom line and reputation. After all, targeted threats necessitate targeted defense, and cyber threat intelligence enables more proactive defense. Cyber threat intelligence, like all intelligence, adds value to cyber threat information by reducing uncertainty for the consumer while assisting the consumer in identifying threats and opportunities. To produce accurate, timely, and relevant intelligence, analysts identify similarities and differences in huge amounts of data and detect deceptions.
Four types of threat intelligence
Threat intelligence is gathered from various sources and tools; however, TI is classified into four categories based on the functions:
1. Strategic
2. Tactical
3. Operational
4. Technical
Nevertheless, hackers are not the only users and should not be. The main objective of this incredible tool is to assist organizations in protecting their data. As a result, just as hackers find information to hack, enterprises can find information to secure themselves. Sensitive information and credentials will be safe in the hands of the owner if discovered first. It means that something important has been leaked, and finding the security hole before the hacker will mitigate the risk.
1. Strategic TI
It provides a greater level of detail, giving a broad picture of the dangerous landscape. It also gives information on how attack trends affect corporate decisions and finances. This makes it more important for higher-level executives to use it to assist them to define new strategies for the organization’s security functions. By focusing on the effect and possibilities of risk, it takes a risk-based approach.
2. Tactical TI
This is more detailed, lower-level data. More particularly, it provides information about an adversary’s technical capabilities or TTP. It is meant for a more technical team – IT managers, SOC managers, NOC managers, and similar responsibilities – because it is more extensive. It is critical to assist them in developing or updating their defense strategy. The sources from which the information is acquired are just as detailed and technical as the final product. It comes from malware and incident reports, as well as reports from various attack groups and human intelligence.
3. Operational TI
It’s a higher-level intelligence source that focuses on information about a particular company threat. It gives network defenders, fraud detection managers, IT team managers, and other security operations higher-ups detailed information. Information from hacker forums, chat rooms, and discussions are used to create Operation TI.
4. Technical TI
It provides particular attack indications and helps security professionals in analyzing those cyberattacks to develop new rules in existing security solutions such as firewalls or endpoint security systems. IP addresses, phishing information, malware samples, malicious URLs, hashes, and other technical information are all included in technical TI. However, because threat actors frequently change their strategies, this is only short-term information.
Threat intelligence has benefited state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) government institutions at all levels, from senior executives like Chief Information Security Officials (CISOs), police chiefs, and policymakers to field personnel like information technology professionals and law enforcement officers. Cyber threat information, when used correctly, can provide additional insight into cyber threats, allowing for a quicker, more targeted reaction as well as resource development and allocation.
The integration of cyber threat intelligence into SLTT government activities will become increasingly important over the coming few years, as all levels and people will be required to respond to the cyber threat.
