Threat Intelligence is the systematic analysis of information relating to cyber threats.
It enables organisations to proactively prepare for, defend against and respond to cyber attacks. By integrating and contextualising relevant data, Threat Intelligence strengthens the resilience of IT infrastructures in the face of evolving threats.
Key elements of Threat Intelligence
1. Data collection
Various sources :
- Network logs Recordings of activities within internal networks to detect suspicious behaviour.
- Dark web surveillance of forums and underground markets where cybercriminals exchange tools and information.
- Hacker forums platforms where attackers share techniques, exploits and information. vulnerabilities.
- Vulnerability reports Documentation of security flaws discovered in software and systems.
- Indicators of Compromise (IOC) The signatures are specific signatures such as malicious IP addresses, compromised file hashes and suspicious domains used by attackers.
Tools used :
- SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) centralised solutions for collecting and analysing security logs and events.
- Vulnerability scanners Automated tools to identify weaknesses in systems and applications.
- Intelligence API interfaces for integrating threat intelligence data from external sources.
2. Contextual analysis
Identification of threat actors :
- Hacktivists Groups motivated by political or social ideologies.
- Nation-states actors sponsored by governments with geopolitical objectives.
- Cybercriminals Individuals or groups seeking financial gain through illegal activities.
Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP) mapping :
- phishing techniquessocial engineering to deceive users and obtain sensitive information.
- ransomware Ransomware: malicious software that encrypts victims' data in exchange for a ransom.
- exploitation of vulnerabilities Security vulnerabilities: use of security vulnerabilities to infiltrate or compromise systems.
Risk assessment :
- analysis of the potential impact of threats on the organisation's critical assets.
- prioritising threats according to their likelihood and severity.
3. Actionable dissemination
Creating reports :
- production of detailed documents or automated information flows for the Security Operations Center (SOC).
- clear, concise presentation of the threats and recommendations for dealing with them.
Integration into security tools :
- firewalls and IDS/IPS (Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems) update rules to block identified IOCs.
- endpoint solutions end-device protection by integrating specific malware signatures.
| Type | Target audience | Objective | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategic | General Management, IT Department | Understanding geopolitical trends and macro-risks. | Report on state campaigns (e.g. APT29). |
| Tactics | SOC teams, analysts | Identify specific attacker TTPs to strengthen defences. | Details of a Living Off the Land attack. |
| Operational | Incident response teams | Respond to an active threat in real time. | List of IOCs linked to ongoing ransomware. |
| Technical | Safety engineers | Block concrete attack vectors (IP, malicious signatures). | YARA rules for detecting a malware. |
Practical uses of Threat Intelligence
- incident prevention Proactive blocking of IP addresses associated with botnets or malicious campaigns.
- incident response rapid identification of the source of a data leakage thanks to IOCs.
- proactive hunting Active search for traces of undetected malicious activity to anticipate attacks.
- risk management Prioritisation of patches and investments based on active threats and critical vulnerabilities.
Threat Intelligence tools and standards
Platforms :
- MISP (Malware Information Sharing Platform) An open platform for sharing and collaborating on threat data.
- MITRE ATT&CK A comprehensive knowledge base of TTPs used by cybercriminals, serving as a repository for analysis and defence.
- OpenCTI open source solution for centralised management and analysis of Threat Intelligence.
Formats :
- STIX/TAXII International standards for structuring, exchanging and sharing threat data in a consistent way.
- YARA : rules language used to identify and classify malware according to its characteristics.
Advantages of Threat Intelligence
- anticipation Early detection of attack campaigns, enabling preparation and reaction before they materialise.
- operational efficiency Significant reduction in mean time to detection (MTTD) and mean time to response (MTTR) to incidents.
- collaboration sharing vital information between organisations via ISAC (Information Sharing and Analysis Centers)reinforcing collective security.
Threat Intelligence challenges
- information overload management and sorting of relevant data from a massive volume of often noisy or redundant information.
- continuous updating Keeping IOCs up to date, because indicators can quickly become obsolete as attackers' tactics evolve.
- cost Threat Intelligence: a necessary investment in specialised skills, ongoing training and advanced tools for effective Threat Intelligence management.
Threat Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence, in particulardeep learningis playing a growing role in improving Threat Intelligence in :
- big data analysis The use of neural networks to detect anomalies and unusual patterns in large datasets.
- automated classification The new "Phishing" tool: application of natural language processing (NLP) to automatically identify and categorise phishing campaigns and other threats.
- threat prediction Predictive models: development of predictive models based on historical data to anticipate future attacks and trends.
Examples of tools incorporating AI :
- IBM Watson for Cybersecurity AI: uses AI to analyse and contextualise threat data, facilitating rapid, informed decision-making.
- Darktrace The new "Anti-Threat" technology: uses machine-learning algorithms to automatically detect and respond to threats in real time.
