Tactical CTI
Tactical threat intelligence (TTI) is the gathering and analysis of information about potential threats to an organization, with the goal of identifying and mitigating those threats. It is shorter–term and more actionable than strategic intelligence. Effective TTI requires a deep understanding of the adversary, their capabilities and intentions, and the operating environment. It also requires ongoing collection and analysis of data from a variety of sources, both human and technical.
TTI is typically used to support specific operations or investigations, and can be tailored to the specific needs of a team or individual. For example, if you’re looking into a suspected phishing attack, tactical intelligence can help you understand the methods and motives of the attackers, and the best ways to defend against them. In short, it helps identify the how and where of attacks.
The how relates to threat actor Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTP), helping understand the methods employed by cybercriminals and their tools to infiltrate your networks. The where relates to tasks like threat hunting. Both identify the extent of incidents and how to prevent and prepare for them. The audience for it is those in the organization who are responsible for network security, architecture, and administration.
Operational CTI
Operational threat intelligence (OTI) is the real–time information that’s most useful for responding to active threats. It can be used to track adversary movements and take immediate action to thwart an attack.
This kind of intelligence is critical for pinpointing and responding to threats in a timely manner. It can help organisations understand the motives and capabilities of their adversaries, as well as their likely next steps. This type of intelligence can be used to improve security posture, defend against attacks, and investigate incidents.
OTI is mostly comprised of machine-readable data, also known as indicators of compromise (IOCs). It is composed of URLs, hashes, domain names, IPs, and so on. Its use ranges from blocking attacks to triaging alerts and searching for threats within a network. The most efficient way to consume it is via tools like firewalls, IDS/IPS, SIEMs, TIPs, and SOARs.
For actionable, current OTI, Malware Patrol offers a wide variety of threat intelligence feeds for use within organizations of all sizes and industries. We verify our feeds constantly – every hour in most cases – to ensure they contain only actionable indicators that protect our customers against malware infections and data breaches. For ease of use, we format the feeds for compatibility with the most popular security tools and platforms. Contact us to learn more or to request a free evaluation.
I've been neck-deep in the world of threat intelligence for quite a while now, and the article you provided touches on two crucial facets: Tactical Threat Intelligence (TTI) and Operational Threat Intelligence (OTI). The depth of knowledge required in this field is no joke.
TTI is like the surgical precision of threat analysis—it's about understanding the adversary's every move, their tools, and their intentions. To make this happen, you need to delve into the nitty-gritty of threat actor Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTP). It's the how of attacks, helping you fathom the methods employed by cybercriminals. If you're knee-deep in a suspected phishing attack, TTI is your guide to decipher the attacker's playbook and fortify your defenses accordingly.
Operational Threat Intelligence (OTI), on the other hand, is the real-time fuel for responding to active threats. It's like having a radar that tracks adversary movements and lets you take immediate action to thwart an attack. The article rightly points out that OTI is a treasure trove of machine-readable data, known as indicators of compromise (IOCs), which include URLs, hashes, domain names, IPs, and more.
The actionable, current OTI presented here involves Malware Patrol's threat intelligence feeds. These feeds are gold for organizations looking to bolster their security posture. What sets them apart is the constant verification, happening every hour in most cases, to ensure they contain only actionable indicators. The compatibility with popular security tools and platforms is the cherry on top.
It's not just about understanding the concepts; it's about wielding them effectively in the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. Always be on the lookout, and if you want to dive deeper into this realm, reach out to Malware Patrol for a free evaluation. They've got the expertise and the feeds to keep your digital fortress standing strong.
