The most difficult part of the cyber security equation in today’s digitally-driven age is that it is a relentless game of cat and mouse. The adversary’s mission is to stay one step ahead, while the defender’s mission is to stay one step behind. The adversary’s motivation is to find new ways to break into networks, provide access to the adversary, and steal valuable data.
The real challenge is how to get ahead of the threats. One of the least costly, yet most effective means of doing so, is by implementing a cyber threat intelligence program.
Intelligence is the key to successfully understanding the risks, threats and attack surfaces of an organization. This is the difference between hunting in the dark and having a complete picture of the cyber landscape.
The Essential Qualities of an Effective Cyber Threat Intelligence Program
Tip #1: Be Sure to Set a Strong Foundation through the Right Direction and Thorough Planning
Setting up a cyber threat intelligence program can be a daunting task, but it is a critical part of ensuring success when it comes to protecting your organisation. The best way to approach this important project is by taking a well-funded, eager-to-learn and data-driven approach.
Start by going back to the basics. Data is a key building block of cyber threat intelligence. The deeper you delve into the data, the more prepared you will be in your efforts to protect your organization. As you do your research, your goals may become clearer and examples of these include the following:
- To reduce cyber-attacks;
- To identify compromised systems or users;
- To manage data privacy risks;
- To spot data breaches;
- To discover points of infiltration; and
- To identify potential threats.
Tip #2: Collect Critical Information from Potential Sources for Threat Intelligence
From publicly available and open sources to internal information and data, to data purchased from third-party vendors, there are many methods of collecting information for threat intelligence.
One of the first steps is to determine what information is the most critical to the security of your organization. Creating a data inventory (a list of the information resources and how they can be utilized in the cyber threat intelligence program) is the first step in the process. Once you have identified the most critical sources, it is time to determine how to approach data collection.
Tip #3: Process and Analyse Key Data Points
Once you have developed a solid foundation, you are ready to employ various methods to process and analyse the data you have collected. This can be done in the following ways:
- Quickly scan your data using a data visualization tool. Then, review the findings and look for trends and outliers.
- Proactively monitor your networks, websites, infrastructures, assets and other areas where data is collected.
- Review data supplied by third-party vendors.
- Develop an internal or external threat intelligence community.
In addition to these methods, it is essential to integrate your data by spreading it across multiple platforms and making sense of it. This will help you to understand relevant trends and make better-informed decisions.
The Bottom Line: The Pivotal Role Cyber Threat Intelligent Program in Protecting Your Business in a Digital World
Cyber warfare has moved from the corporate perimeter to the digital battlefield and a business no longer has the luxury of ignoring its cyber risk. The best way to manage the risk is to embrace the advancement of technologies and build a strong cyber threat intelligence program.
Why Choose Us?
Our anti-piracy management company in Australia with offices world wide, offers advanced threat intelligence to simplify your cyber analysis in more ways than one – from cyberattack prevention, anti-piracy solutions, and more. Get in touch with us today and see how we can guarantee your virtual safety.