Introduction
Threat Intelligence is the process of collecting, analyzing, and acting on information about security threats in order to protect a company from data breaches, cyberattacks, and other digital risks. In this post I’ll explain what threat intelligence is and why it matters for companies to understand and make use of it.
What is Threat Intelligence?
It’s the process of collecting and analyzing data related to security threats. That means gathering information from different sources, including open-source intelligence, industry reports, and conversations with experts. This data is then analyzed to spot patterns and trends, in order to determine the level of risk a given threat poses.
Why does it matter?
CTI (Cyber Threat Intelligence) matters for companies because it helps prevent data breaches, cyberattacks, and other digital threats. By understanding the threats they face, companies can take steps to protect themselves and their data.
On top of that, this information can be used to improve a company’s overall security posture, as well as to detect and respond to potential threats.
How to use it
To make use of Threat Intelligence, companies first need to identify their risks and security needs. They should then build a strategy for collecting and analyzing the relevant data. Finally, they need to use the collected data to build an effective security plan and take steps to protect their data.
So, in short:
- Identify security risks and needs
- Build a strategy for collecting data
- Define a plan to make the best use of the data collected
Where should companies get this information from?
As mentioned, a company should gather information from a range of sources, including open-source intelligence, industry reports, and conversations with experts.
Companies should also stay on top of the latest security threats and emerging trends, to make sure they’re taking the necessary steps to protect their data. By using these information sources, companies can make sure they stay current on the latest threats and best practices for data protection.
OSINT tools for Cyber Threat Intelligence
When it comes to gathering information for cyber threat intelligence, companies should use open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools. These tools can help companies identify potential threats, uncover new insights, and build a better understanding of the current security landscape. Among the most widely used OSINT tools are Maltego and Shodan. By using these tools, companies can make sure they’re collecting the most accurate and up-to-date information.
That said, tools aside, there should always be a team of threat intelligence analysts capable of using both the tooling and manual research.
Maltego
Maltego is an OSINT tool that can be used to discover and identify potential threats and monitor the security landscape. Its feature set makes it a great choice for companies that want to gather information and protect their data.
Shodan
Shodan is also an OSINT tool, used to discover devices connected to the internet. It offers a powerful search engine with features like global coverage, device categorization, and more.
Shodan also offers an API that can be used to integrate its features into other applications. On top of that, Shodan data can be used to build custom dashboards and visualizations.
MISP
MISP, on the other hand, is a popular tool mainly used to detect threats and track malicious activity, and it can be used to share, store, and collaborate on threat-related information.
The importance of information sharing
Sharing CTI information is a key, foundational part of all this. By sharing information across organizations, companies can make sure they stay current on the latest threats and best practices for data protection. Sharing information also helps companies identify potential threats, uncover new insights, and build a better understanding of the current landscape.
Conclusions
Threat Intelligence is an important tool that companies need to understand and make use of. It can help them protect their data, improve their security posture, and detect and respond to potential threats. Making use of threat information is essential to protect a company from data breaches, cyberattacks, and other digital threats.
And yet, all too often it stays relegated to a secondary role — not seen as essential, more of a side activity, and usually handed to a team that can’t give it the time it actually deserves.
Stay safe!