Threat Intelligence

What Is Threat Intelligence?

Threat intelligence is information about cyber threats that has been collected, processed, and analyzed to provide actionable context for security decisions. It transforms raw data (IP addresses, file hashes, domain names) into intelligence that helps organizations understand who is attacking them, how, and what to do about it.

Levels of Threat Intelligence

| Level | Audience | Content | Example | |---|---|---|---| | Strategic | Executives, board | Threat landscape trends, geopolitical risks | "Ransomware targeting healthcare increased 300% this year" | | Tactical | Security architects | Adversary TTPs (MITRE ATT&CK) | "APT29 uses OAuth app consent phishing for initial access" | | Operational | SOC managers, IR teams | Campaign details, attack timelines | "Active campaign targeting Exchange servers via CVE-2024-XXXXX" | | Technical | SOC analysts, SIEM | IOCs: IPs, hashes, domains, URLs | "Block 192.168.x.x — active C2 server" |

Threat Intelligence Lifecycle

1. Direction: Define intelligence requirements based on your threat profile
2. Collection: Gather data from open sources (OSINT), commercial feeds, dark web, ISACs, government advisories
3. Processing: Normalize, deduplicate, and structure raw data
4. Analysis: Add context, assess reliability, determine relevance to your organization
5. Dissemination: Deliver intelligence to the right audience in the right format
6. Feedback: Evaluate effectiveness and refine requirements

Applying Threat Intelligence

• SIEM enrichment: Automatically correlate logs against IOC feeds
• Firewall/proxy blocking: Block known malicious IPs and domains
• Vulnerability prioritization: Prioritize patching for vulnerabilities with active exploits
• Threat hunting: Search for indicators of adversary presence in your environment
• Risk assessment: Understand which threat actors target your industry
• Incident response: Identify the threat actor and their TTPs during an incident

Key Frameworks

• MITRE ATT&CK: Comprehensive matrix of adversary tactics and techniques
• STIX/TAXII: Standards for threat intelligence sharing
• Kill Chain: Lockheed Martin model of attack phases
• Diamond Model: Framework for analyzing intrusion events