What is Cyberthreat Intelligence? Types, Uses and Providers

Companies across the globe are required to defend themselves each day against cyber-attacks that use high-tech technology at the gate. Cyberattacks all over the world are predicted to exceed $11 trillion by 2023, and the number is predicted to increase to $20 trillion in 2026, according to Statista. Since all indications suggest that the issue is getting worse, small companies must prepare for a formidable defense.

Many fight the issue by bringing in cybersecurity experts to investigate hacker tactics by using a technique known as cyberthreat intelligence. As cyber criminals get better in their attacks cybersecurity experts are developing risk assessments that aid small companies identify any possible security weaknesses.

As the shifting digital landscape continues it is helpful to understand the best places to keep on the lookout for cyber-attacks. Find out more regarding cyber threats and the ways you can apply them to shield your company from the repercussions of cyberattacks.

What is cyberthreat intelligence?

Cyberthreat intelligence is a sub-field of cybersecurity that is focused on the gathering and analysis of data about the latest and upcoming attacks that pose a threat to the security of a company and its property.

With this strategy business owners can take proactive measures to ensure their systems are safe. By utilizing cyberthreat intelligence and analysis security incidents can be avoided entirely which will save the expense of putting the appropriate incident response plan in motion.

Cyberthreat intelligence is designed to provide firms with a comprehensive knowledge of the risks that pose the most danger to their infrastructure and formulate a strategy to safeguard their business. Analysts aim to provide to their customers with as much concrete information as possible, about any threat they discover.

One of the insights that are gained from the analysis of cyberthreat intelligence is the reason hackers might attack your system initially. Knowing the motivations behind attacks will help you determine which areas of your system might be most vulnerable.

Also read: 10 Best Cyber Threat Intelligence Tools

Types of cyberthreat intelligence

There are three types of cyberthreat intelligence: strategic, tactical, and operational.

• Strategic threat intelligence is a broad assessment of possible threats, which identifies those who may be interested in threatening the business or its sector and what motivates them. The information is distributed to senior executives as whitepaper reports, presentations, and reports to inform them of the ways in which the organization can take action.
• Tactical threat intelligence refers to the way and where an organization might be targeted. It focuses on the tactics of cybercriminals methods, strategies, and processes. It’s technical and given for IT and network professionals to help them put security measures in place to protect themselves from such attacks.
• Operational threat intelligence is the information obtained from active attacks as well as cyber honeypots (traps to lure cybercriminals to disclose their strategies) and information shared by third-party organizations. It is comprised of highly precise data like URL files, file names, domain names, hashes, as well as IP addresses. This data should be used to prevent attacks (if discovered in time) limit damage, and remove known threats from the network.

With the right information and planning it is possible to implement the proper tools to look out for certain behavior and carry out an effective incident response.

What are the best ways to use cyberthreat intelligence?

Numerous service providers that employ cyberthreat intelligence analysts will collaborate alongside your IT or cybersecurity team to develop the best strategy for your company. After hiring, the company will analyze and present any threats that your business has to face and what you should do to keep them on the horizon.

Armed with this type of information, the person who is in charge of your network will be able to make necessary changes. In addition to giving your business the right tools to stop any cyberattacks, cyberthreat intelligence will determine if you’ve faced a security problem. By using indications of compromise analysts can tell if your systems have been impacted with malware that when left undiscovered, can result in theft, corruption, or even ransomed sensitive data.

The most common type of threat is called spyware which can be downloaded on a computer without awareness to access information about your internet usage as well as other sensitive data. It could include credit card data, customer as well as employee personal details, and other sensitive information in a commercial environment.

Malware can be a huge issue for any company. In 2022, over 493 million cyber-attacks using the type of malware known as ransomware took place, according to Statista. Ransomware blocks systems and asks for payment in order to access them. In 2021 it was used to shut down the Colonial Pipeline, causing a gas shortage on the East Coast. Ransomware-related attacks are especially expensive. The average cost for an attack by ransomware is $4.35 million according to IBM and the number of breaches increased by 41 percent in 2022.

Also read: What are Cybersecurity Risks for ChatGPT and How to Mitigate Risks

What do you do if you find cyberattacks?

If you learn that your business is being attacked The time for action is crucial. Do these things immediately:

• Get your incident response team together. This can include network and IT personnel. It could also include software and other external vendors of IT HR professionals, if employee data was stolen legal counsel if intellectual property is compromised and operational managers in the event that ransomware has stopped operations.
• Secure your systems. Based on the nature and extent the breach may involve securing or removing the affected section or network for a short period or even the entire network until security measures are put in place.
• Investigate the incident. Create a team comprising internal technical experts as well as, if required external experts to figure out the cause and why it happened and to determine the extent of damages.
• Install security measures and countermeasures. This could involve changing passwords setting up or enhancing firewalls, implementing encryption of data, and eliminating malicious software. If an employee is found to be complicit in committing a crime, he or she should be dismissed and law enforcement officials notified.
• Take a look at your cybersecurity practices. Find out where you can add to or improve your cybersecurity practices.
• Examine whether your losses are covered. Examine your company’s insurance policy and file a claim for everything your insurer will cover.
• Report the attack. Notify the appropriate regulatory body in the event of a need.
• Control public relations. If the attack has compromised the customer’s data, inform them aware of the security breach. Find out how to prepare the press release.

Which cyberthreat intelligence providers are best?

If your business is small and uses the Internet to help keep operating or keep your confidential data on local networks online, then a cyberthreat-intelligence firm could be advantageous.

Here are a few options to help you choose the right supplier:

• Mandiant is targeted at large companies and provides state-of-the-art threat intelligence and cybersecurity advice. More than 300 experts and analysts from 23 countries are available to share information from a variety of sources. Take a look at this company if your business handles sensitive data, such as classified financial, government, or healthcare information.
• IBM X-Force Exchange is the main hardware company’s cyberthreat-intelligence solution. IBM X-Force Exchange researches threats and works with other peers via an online threat intelligence sharing platform. Similar to Mandiant it’s specifically designed for larger organizations who require a complete intelligence program.
• Anomali ThreatStream is an investigation, detection as well as response tool that assists you identify your cyber adversaries by analyzing information from a variety of premium feeds. You can buy additional intelligence via the Anomali Preferred Partner (APP) Store. Anomali utilizes machine learning to enhance the effectiveness of its security platform and reduce the amount that is false positives.
• CrowdStrike Falcon Insight offers a cyber intelligence platform designed for small-scale companies. It constantly examines your network, detects suspicious activity, and sends immediate alerts to ensure quick response. It also tracks and uncovers the specifics of the attacks, allowing you to tackle them with the greatest efficiency.

Final Word

Every business is exposed to new cyber threats every day. Cyberthreat intelligence will help you keep one step ahead of threats. With the assistance of cyberthreat intelligence experts will act as your eyes and help you with the right risk-management strategies. If you wish to stop your company from becoming a cyberattack victim cybersecurity is a crucial element to your company’s strategy.