Threat Intelligence: Everything That You Should Know

What do you understand by Threat Intelligence?

In today’s scenario, digital technology is at the forefront of any industry. Although the internet has offered many advantages to the users, it has also paved the way for technical threats such as cyber-attacks. When it comes to cyberattacks, threat intelligence plays a major role.

Threat Intelligence, commonly known as cyber threat intelligence, is the information that an organization gathers to prevent and mitigate the risks of cyberattacks. It is the data that an organization uses to understand the challenges or threats that are targeting it. Having an effective threat intelligence system helps the organization better analyze the available data using multiple tools and techniques. This information is vital to learn about the present and evolving threats that are directed towards the organization. Having experts on the security intelligence platform makes it easy for organizations to develop the right remedies and safeguard it from the attacking cyber world.

Why is Threat Intelligence So Important Nowadays?

Threat Intelligence is one of the most critical aspects of the cybersecurity environment. It has a significant part in establishing agreeable security in the organization. Along with this, several other factors make it so important for every organization to have the right threat intelligence system. Some of the prominent reasons are:

• Preventing data breaches by the early detection of all the threats.
• Helps in the right allocation of resources in the cybersecurity of the organization.
• It provides a direction for making the informed decision.
• Filters all the threats and categorizes them as per the priority.
• Helps in minimizing the gap between human and machines.
• Keeps the organization updated with the emerging as well as forthcoming threats.
• It helps in learning the pattern and the thinking of the hackers.

The lifecycle of Threat Intelligence

For making the right decision, the threat intelligence experts collect the raw data and transform it into finished and useful intelligence data. The cyber threat intelligence lifecycle consists of six different steps from data collection to feedback to regular improvement. Learn more about it by reviewing the given information.

1. Planning and Direction: The first step of the threat intelligence is of utmost importance as it creates a roadmap for the threat intelligence operation. It is the stage where the goal of the intelligence is identified, and several questions are asked for knowing the requirements of the organization.

2. Collection: The next step is to look for information that can fulfill the security objectives of the organization. There are multiple sources for the collection of the data. The right source is selected as per the organization’s goals, and data is being collected.

3. Processing: All the collected information is processed in the right manner and is classified in to the format that fits best for the analysis. Different forms of information are required to be converted into the same format and categorized well for further use.

4. Analysis: This is the most vital step of the threat intelligence lifecycle as it offers to mean to the collected and processed data. Here, the security issues are identified along with the answers to the questions that are asked in the planning phase.

5. Dissemination: After the analysis of the data, it becomes important to present in a way that the information can be used and understood by the end-user. To make the information actionable for the organization, the right people are selected, and reports are handed over to them. Along with this, all the information is also added to the system in an acceptable format.

6. Feedback: To complete the circle of the threat intelligence lifecycle, it becomes important to evaluate the report that is prepared. People who are handed over the report look into it and ensure that it is based on the organization’s determined goals. The necessary adjustments, if any, are suggested to the experts as feedback of the report.

Types of Threat Intelligence

In the final product of the threat intelligence lifecycle, intelligence requirements at the initial stage, information sources, as well as the targeted audience, plays a major role. Based on these criteria, the threat intelligence is further divided into three sub-categories. These categories are:

Strategic
The long-term issues that are meant for the non-technical audience are covered under the Strategic category. Under this, an overview of the company’s threat environment is evaluated. This is a less technical threat intelligence that works the best for the executive-level professionals.

Tactical
Serving the technical audience, tactical threat intelligence provides a detailed structure about the threat TTP, i.e., tactics, techniques, and procedures. The information provided by the tactical intelligence is being used to develop the defense policies for the organization that further help reduce the cyber-attacks. Along with this, it also provides reports on the flaws of the organization’s security system.

Operational
Operational intelligence is highly technical that focuses on the information related to a specific attack. It focuses on the nature, timing, motive, as well as intent of the attack. This type of intelligence facilitates better detection of the threat and tries to uncover the threats that are not even existing and known to the organization.

Technical
Technical intelligence centers on a specific attack and helps the organization to build the base for analyzing those attacks. It provides the technical clues that are related to the attacks like the URLs, subject lines, etc. Having this information helps the organization to understand what to look for and allows them to evaluate threats effectively.

Attributes of Right Threat Intelligence Solution

With the advancement in technology, plentiful monitoring tools are now available for collecting the information. Abundant information can be collected related to emerging cyber threats. It becomes important for the information to be right to make the best use of it. Some of the following attributes that ensure the correctness of the cyber threat intelligence solution are:

• Utility for the organization
• Based on Real-time Data
• Based on Reliable Evidence
• Actionable for the Organization

Takeaway
Cyber threat intelligence has now become a must-have for every business organization irrespective of its size and function. To enjoy the maximum benefits of threat intelligence, it is vital to have complete knowledge of it. With the right knowledge and tools of threat intelligence, it becomes an easy task for the organization to protect itself from the existing as well as emerging cyber threats.

AUTHOR
Megha Agarwal
Content Writer

“ Megha Agarwal is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Commerce. She is ardent about writing and enjoys working on technical blogs. She is a keen learner and works with full dedication. Currently, Megha is working as a content writer at Infosec Train. “