What is Cyber Threat Intelligence?
Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI)
Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) is a key component of modern cybersecurity, offering a proactive approach to identifying, understanding, and mitigating threats in cyberspace. In this article, we explore what CTI is, its essential role, and the benefits it brings to organizations.
Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) is primarily the process of collecting raw data and transforming it into actionable intelligence. The data is evaluated, analyzed, and contextualized to determine the implications in terms of risk and threat. CTI helps identify vulnerabilities associated with each organization's external exposure and understand the tactics, techniques, procedures, and tools used by cyber attackers to carry out their attacks. Its aim is to provide organizations with actionable intelligence to detect and prevent breaches and protect their assets.
Collection and analysis of threat intelligence
Threat intelligence production involves monitoring a range of sources from all three layers of the web—from publicly available data to closed dark web forums and social media—as well as conducting technical investigations (pivots, reverse engineering, infrastructure mapping, etc.). This data is then analyzed to identify the threats and risks associated with our clients' exposure, as well as the trends, motivations, and behavioral patterns of attackers.
Data sources used in the CTI
The data sources used in Cyber Threat Intelligence are vast and include information from proprietary technical sources, OSINT (Open Source Intelligence), SOCMINT (Social Media Intelligence), HUMINT (Human Intelligence), as well as a range of external partners, information-sharing communities, and more. These sources provide essential data for detecting emerging threats and trends.
Methodologies and processes of Cyber Threat Intelligence
Cyber Threat Intelligence follows a set of methodologies and processes to ensure the effectiveness of collecting, analyzing, and disseminating threat intelligence.
This includes developing expertise on existing threats, assessing the credibility of sources and information, setting up investigations and technical monitoring, processing, enriching and correlating data, etc.
What role does Cyber Threat Intelligence play in the security of an information system?
Early threat detection
Through the generation of threat intelligence, cyber threat intelligence enables organizations to anticipate potential attacks and, if necessary, detect and thwart them. By identifying attackers' trends, motivations, and potential targets, it helps organizations strengthen their defenses before attacks occur, thereby reducing the negative impact on their operations. In the event of an attack, the available intelligence can be used in incident response, particularly to disrupt attackers' actions on the victim's information system.
See also our module on’anticipating cyber risks
Understanding how cyber attackers operate
Cyber Threat Intelligence provides an in-depth understanding of the tactics, techniques, and procedures used by cyber attackers. It also examines the tools (malicious code, repurposed legitimate tools, etc.) used by attackers, as well as the infrastructure they employ. By analyzing behavioral patterns, attack methods, and the tools used, it enables organizations to better prepare for and strengthen their defenses against cyberattacks.
Vulnerability and risk assessment
Cyber Threat Intelligence helps assess the risks a company faces based on its external exposure across the three layers of the web. By proactively detecting vulnerabilities associated with this exposure, it enables companies to take steps to strengthen security and minimize risks.
Security decision-making support
CTI provides invaluable support for security decision-making. By delivering actionable and actionable information, coupled with recommendations based on experience and threat knowledge, it helps security leaders make informed decisions and prioritize their needs to strengthen their organization's security posture.
What role does Cyber Threat Intelligence play in the security of an information system?
Expansion of technological infrastructure
As your business grows and increases its online presence, it becomes more susceptible to attracting the attention of attackers in cyberspace. Implementing a CTI service at this stage is essential to detect and prevent potential risks and threats.
Management of sensitive data
If your business handles sensitive data such as customer information, financial data, or trade secrets, implementing a CTI service is crucial to protecting this information from attacks and data leaks.
Compliance with regulations
If your company is subject to specific data security regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe, implementing a CTI service enables the proactive detection of data leaks and complements measures taken to ensure compliance and avoid potential penalties.
See also our offer of compliance
Buyout, merger / acquisition
It is important to ensure that the third parties with whom the company interacts adhere to appropriate security standards to protect data and information systems. Cybersecurity due diligence helps mitigate the risks associated with outsourcing services, partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions by guaranteeing that adequate security measures are in place at all levels of the organization.
Security Incident Response
If your company is the victim of a cyberattack or security incident, implementing a CTI service can be essential to strengthening your response posture. incident response. It helps to accelerate the technical understanding of the compromise and to support you in the event of data exfiltration in order to detect its publication or sharing.
Monitoring the evolution of threats
With the constant evolution of cyber attacker techniques and tactics, it's important to have a CTI service to continuously monitor new trends and exploited vulnerabilities. This allows you to stay up-to-date and take appropriate measures to protect your business.
See also our module cybersecurity monitoring
What are the advantages of having a Cyber Threat Intelligence service?
Prevention of targeted attacks
A CTI service helps prevent targeted attacks by identifying specific threats that could target your business.
Through the production of actionable threat intelligence, it is possible to detect attack patterns, attacker motivations and potential targets, thus enabling better preparation and a proactive response to threats.
See also our module on’anticipating cyber risks
Reduced response times to security incidents
CTI plays a crucial role in reducing processing times incident response security. By continuously monitoring indicators of compromise and providing real-time alerts, it enables the rapid detection of suspicious activities and effective intervention to minimize the impact of attacks and limit the spread of damage.
Strengthening the overall security posture
A CTI service helps strengthen an organization's overall security posture. By providing continuous monitoring of vulnerabilities related to external exposure, as well as current trends and threats, coupled with operational recommendations, it enables proactive measures to improve security controls, implement appropriate policies and procedures, and bolster defenses against future attacks. This, in turn, enhances the organization's resilience to attacks.
Protection of sensitive data and critical assets
Information Technology Services (ITS) plays a vital role in protecting an organization's sensitive data and critical assets. Through continuous monitoring of the risks associated with your organization's exposure, IT identifies vulnerabilities that, if exploited, could compromise data security and lead to system breaches. By providing tailored security recommendations, IT enables the implementation of enhanced protective measures to prevent data leaks and financial losses.
See also our module data leak
Threat Intelligence in 4 essential modules?
Data leak detection
Thanks to real-time monitoring of your exposure across all three layers of the web using advanced tools, Intrinsec's Dataleak Detection module identifies potential leaks of your business and technical data. By acting quickly, you can minimize the potential consequences for your company.
See also our module data leak
Control your internet footprint
Using our internally developed tools, Intrinsec's Asset Security Monitoring module provides your security teams with an ability to monitor your entry points by giving you a cybercriminal's perspective on your business from the internet. Continuous monitoring of your attack surface gives you the keys to securing it over the long term and reducing the risk of your organization being compromised.
See also our module internet footprint control
Lfight against fraud
By identifying the patterns and techniques used by cyber attackers, Intrinsec's Brand Protection module detects fraudulent activities, phishing campaigns, and reputational damage, and helps you quickly neutralize them. Strengthening your fraud defenses protects your customers, your finances, and your reputation.
See also our module fight against fraud
Cyber risk prevention
Intrinsec's Risk Anticipation module enables in-depth analysis of the trends, tools, and methodologies used by cybercriminals, providing crucial information to strengthen your defenses and anticipate attacks. By taking preventative measures, you reduce risks and protect your business from the financial and operational consequences of cyberattacks.
See also our module on’anticipating cyber risks
Intrinsec, our business? Protecting yours!
Intrinsec, a pure-play cybersecurity company in France for over 28 years, is one of the main players in its field.
Building on its historical assessment activity, Intrinsec adapts to the needs and challenges of its clients, to face increasingly sophisticated threats by offering tailor-made support through one of the broadest cyber assessment offerings, including penetration tests (pentest), cybersecurity audits, Red Teams, Trophy Hunters and Purple Teams.
Intrinsec is also a leading player in the valuation sector in France, with expertise recognized by its numerous qualifications, including PASSI RGS (certificate no. 20007) and PASSI LPM (qualification decision no. 5685) for its organizational and physical auditing, configuration, architecture, source code and penetration testing activities.
The security and protection of your business are our top priorities. That's why Intrinsec is committed to providing high-quality services while guaranteeing optimal protection for your information system.
