Identification of cyber threats
Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) solutions play a key role in proactive security management and support organisations in anticipating, identifying and responding to cyber threats by providing detailed and timely data on attacks, techniques used by cyber criminals and emerging vulnerabilities. CTI provides a better understanding of the threat context so that the organisation can make informed decisions on defence strategies increasing the organisation's ability to defend against cyber attacks and cyber threats.
Main features and functions of the CTI
1. Collection and analysis of threat information
CTI solutions collect data from a variety of sources, such as darknets, hacking forums, telemetry data or incident reports, and then analyse it to identify potential threats.
Sources of information: CTI collects data from: public and private vulnerability databases (e.g. CVE, NVD), interviews from the dark web and cybercrime forums and its own sensors that monitor network traffic.
Example: analysis of data from hacking forums makes it possible to detect plans to sell stolen data.
Example: analysis of data from hacking forums makes it possible to detect plans to sell stolen data.
Processing and correlation: data are analysed to identify patterns of attacks and cybercriminal activity.
Example: system detects increased botnet activity that could be used in a DDoS attack.
Example: system detects increased botnet activity that could be used in a DDoS attack.
2. early warning of risks
CTI provides early warnings of emerging threats, allowing organisations to take preventive action.
Warnings about new attack campaigns: CTI detects new attack techniques used by cybercriminals (e.g. new variants of ransomware).
Example: warning that a new version of the LockBit ransomware has been released and recommending that associated IP addresses be blocked.
Example: warning that a new version of the LockBit ransomware has been released and recommending that associated IP addresses be blocked.
Indicators of Compromise (IoC): the system provides specific data, such as malicious IP addresses, domains, file hashes or malware signatures.
Example: detection of a URL used in phishing enables it to be blocked.
Example: detection of a URL used in phishing enables it to be blocked.
3. Identification and prioritisation of risks
The CTI enables organisations to assess which risks are most significant and require an immediate response.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Context of risks: CTI provides detailed information on the motives and objectives of cyber criminals and their operating techniques.
Example: analysis shows that the APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) group is attacking the financial sector, increasing the risk to the bank.
Example: analysis shows that the APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) group is attacking the financial sector, increasing the risk to the bank.
Prioritisation based on impact: threats are assessed in terms of their likelihood of occurrence and potential impact on the organisation.
Example: the system identifies a critical vulnerability in the servers and recommends that it be patched immediately.
Example: the system identifies a critical vulnerability in the servers and recommends that it be patched immediately.
4. support incident response
CTI supports the SOC (Security Operations Centre) and CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) teams in responding quickly to incidents.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Access to up-to-date threat data: CTI solutions provide up-to-date information on the modus operandi of attackers, enabling faster analysis and response.
Example: during a ransomware incident, the CTI system provides an IoC to identify which systems have been infected.
Example: during a ransomware incident, the CTI system provides an IoC to identify which systems have been infected.
Automatic implementation of rules: The CTI system can automatically provide data to other tools such as NGFW or EDR to block detected threats.
Example: automatic update of rules in the firewall to block suspicious traffic.
Example: automatic update of rules in the firewall to block suspicious traffic.
5. Prevention of APT attacks and zero-day threats
CTI helps organisations protect themselves from sophisticated hacking groups and newly discovered vulnerabilities.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Monitoring of APT groups: CTI tracks the activity of advanced hacking groups and provides data on their methods and targets.
Example: information about a hacking group that uses a specific exploit allows appropriate defence measures to be prepared.
Example: information about a hacking group that uses a specific exploit allows appropriate defence measures to be prepared.
Zero-day threat detection: CTI systems report new vulnerabilities before official patches are available.
Example: information about a vulnerability in popular VPN software allows an organisation to implement countermeasures before the exploit becomes public.
Example: information about a vulnerability in popular VPN software allows an organisation to implement countermeasures before the exploit becomes public.
6. awareness raising and education of safety teams
CTI provides knowledge of current threats, which helps security teams to be better prepared for attacks.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Reports and risk analyses: CTI regularly provides detailed reports on the latest attack campaigns, techniques and tools of cybercriminals.
Example: report on new phishing using artificial intelligence allows for more effective defence mechanisms.
Example: report on new phishing using artificial intelligence allows for more effective defence mechanisms.
Training and simulations: CTI solutions can be used in incident response exercise scenarios.
Example: simulating an APT attack allows the SOC team to practice the process of detecting and responding to an incident.
Example: simulating an APT attack allows the SOC team to practice the process of detecting and responding to an incident.
7. support for regulatory compliance
CTI helps organisations meet regulatory requirements for threat management, such as those arising from NIS2, DORA or RODO.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Reporting and documentation: CTI provides detailed reports that can be used during audits or to demonstrate compliance.
Example: documentation indicates what risks have been identified and what action has been taken to neutralise them.
Example: documentation indicates what risks have been identified and what action has been taken to neutralise them.
Supporting risk analysis: CTI data helps to conduct regular risk assessments, which is required by many regulations.
8 Integration with other security solutions
CTI works with EDR, NGFW, DLP and SIEM systems to provide them with up-to-date threat information.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Automatic data enrichment: CTI information is integrated with SIEM systems, allowing better correlation of events.
Example: data on known IP addresses used by botnets are automatically sent to the EDR system to block connections.
Example: data on known IP addresses used by botnets are automatically sent to the EDR system to block connections.
Dynamic rules: CTI provides rules in real time, e.g. to NGFWs or IDS/IPS. Example: newly detected malware signatures are sent to the firewall to prevent infections.
Example: new malware signatures are immediately fed into the IDS systems, preventing infection of the network.
Example: new malware signatures are immediately fed into the IDS systems, preventing infection of the network.
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