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Cyber Threat Intelligence

By Andrew Michaels 24 June, 2023 4 mins read

Cyber threat intelligence refers a group of skills and knowledge intended to combat cyberspace threats. Cyber threat intelligence covers many disciplines. These include Automated analytic, Contextual enriched data, and Attack vectors. Below are some of the most commonly used aspects of cyber-threat intelligence. Let's take a closer look at some of these. Continue reading to gain a better understanding of the topic.

Contextual enriched data

Experts agree that contextual threat intelligence (CTI) is essential for cybersecurity. It can help you identify the signs of compromise, and also provide an easier way to prioritize vulnerabilities or weaknesses. It can help security leaders understand the malicious hacker tactics and methods better. It also helps security teams make more informed decisions which improves operational efficiency. Threat intelligence is also useful in preventing cyberattacks. It provides a complete view of a threat to help security teams make better decisions.

Context(tm) is based on a classical six-step process, called the Intelligence Cycle. It uses artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI & ML), to prioritize the data it receives from users. It then converts large amounts of information into actionable intelligence. Its unique capabilities allow organizations to focus on specific types of cyber threat and prioritize them based on their level of importance.

Automated Analysis

Automated cyber threat analysis can increase security teams' defense against emerging threats. Selecting the right source for CTI is crucial. It's also important to strike a compromise between precision and speed. Security professionals have more time to prepare for an alert when it is first generated. However, relying on intelligence alone will not be sufficient. The threat is often already known, but it may not be possible to obtain additional information in time for the team.

The cybersecurity landscape is characterized by massive amounts of data, a shortage of analysts and a complex adversarial environment. Current security infrastructures are not able to handle the increasing volume of data and are not able to address the challenges. Many organizations just incorporate threat data feeds into networks without knowing how to use them. These organizations often spend too much time and engineering resources analysing the data. TIP was designed to address these issues.

Attack vectors

There are many different types of cyberattacks, but the most common is using weak passwords and usernames. These can be found on websites and mobile applications. An attacker can steal credentials to gain access websites and networks, or to escalate their access within a network. For example, phishing attacks can reveal user passwords, causing an attacker to attempt many different combinations until they find one that works. The sophisticated attack may also target trusted third-party apps that transmit login credentials.

Active attacks have many purposes, but the basic idea behind them is to disrupt normal business operations. An attacker might want to steal financial information and personal data. Once the owner has paid up, they will hold it hostage. Sometimes, an attacker may also try to hack into an online banking system and steal information there. These techniques can be used by individual hackers to steal sensitive data and perform cyber warfare for a nation.

Tools used by attackers

The tools used by attackers are not always publicly known. Megatron has been used by the CERT SE Cyber Defense Program to collect bad IPs and extract data. Megatron is also capable of converting log files into statistics and abuse & incident handling. In addition, ThreatConnect is a platform for aggregating and processing cyber threat intelligence. ThreatConnect allows security professionals share intelligence and take immediate action.

ThreatConnect, a platform which provides automated data collection from all sources, offers a graph database for better understanding of cyber attacks. It also displays meaningful connections and associations in the collected data. It also provides intelligence-driven orchestration tool called Playbooks. This can be used to automate tasks when certain triggers occur. It can detect IP addresses on a network, block them, and then investigate them with cybersecurity teams. This eliminates the need for manual labor and reduces the chance of making mistakes.

Prioritization for vulnerabilities

For a proactive organization, prioritization of vulnerabilities based on cyber threat insight helps them prioritize the most important flaws. Many vulnerabilities fall under the CVSS 9, 10, and 11 categories. However, it's important to treat each one equally and logically. It's easy to see how the backlog could be overwhelming. Here's an example for vulnerability prioritization according to CVSS severity. The most critical vulnerability is Vulnerability B. Based on its intelligence and risk profile, vulnerability C could be next on the list.

External exploits might change the priority level of a vulnerability. Organizations can leverage intelligence to identify and implement response measures at the appropriate times. While each organization may end up leveraging similar tools and information sources, they will define their own set of prioritized vulnerabilities. No matter their situation, they can still benefit from vulnerability prioritization.

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FAQ

What are the steps to get cyber security certification?

Cyber security certifications are widely regarded as essential qualifications for any professional working within the IT sector. CompTIA Security+ (1) is the most commonly offered course. Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate – Security (2) and Cisco CCNA Security Certification (3) are also popular. All of these courses are recognized by employers and offer a solid foundation. There are other options as well, such as Oracle Certified Professional – Java SE 7 Programmer (4), IBM Information Systems Security Foundation (5) or SANS GIAC (6).

The decision is yours. But make sure that you understand what you're doing.

What should I consider when choosing a cybersecurity course?

There are plenty of different types of cyber security courses available, ranging from short courses to full-time programs. What should you look out for when choosing which course to take? Here are some things you need to keep in mind:

What level certification would you prefer? Some courses award certificates upon completion. Others offer diplomas and degrees. While certificates can be more difficult to obtain, degrees and diplomas are generally more desirable.
What number of weeks/months are you able to dedicate to the course? The majority of courses last between 6-12 weeks. However, some may take longer.
Do you prefer face-to-face interaction or distance learning? Although face-to–face courses can be great for making friends and getting to know others, they can be quite expensive. Distance learning lets you work at your own pace while saving money on travel expenses.
Are you looking for a career change or just a refresher? For career changers, who may already be working in a different field, a brief course can help to refresh their skills and knowledge. Others may need to refresh their skills before they apply for a new position.
Is the program accredited? Accreditation means that the course is trustworthy and reliable. Accreditation also ensures that you don't waste time or money on courses that don't deliver what you want.
Does the course include internships or placements? Internships give you the opportunity to apply what's been learned and work with IT professionals. Placements are a great way to gain hands-on experience and work with experienced cybersecurity professionals.

What are the best IT courses?

The most important thing you need for success in the field of technology is passion. You have to love what you do. If you are not passionate about your work, don't worry. This industry requires hard work and dedication. It requires the ability learn quickly and be flexible to change. Schools must prepare students to adapt to such changes. They must teach them to think critically and be creative. These skills will serve them well when they enter the workforce.

Experiential learning is the second most important thing about technology. People who wish to make a career out of technology start right after they graduate. This field requires years of practice to master. Internships, volunteering, part time jobs, and so on are all ways to gain experience.

Finally, there is nothing like hands-on practical training. This is the best way to learn. You can also take classes at community college if you don't have the opportunity to do a full-time internship. Many universities offer classes free of charge through their Continuing Learning programs.

How long is a cyber security course?

Cybersecurity courses usually last six to twelve weeks depending on the amount of time you have. If you are looking for a short-term course you may be interested in an online one such as University of East London’s Cyber Security Certificate Program. The program meets three days per week and lasts four consecutive weeks. Alternatively, if you have several months free on your hands, then why not take advantage of the full-time immersive version of the program? You will receive a comprehensive education in cybersecurity through classroom lectures, assignments and group discussions. It's easy to budget as the tuition fee includes accommodation, meals (including textbooks), and IT equipment. The course teaches students the fundamentals of cybersecurity. Students also learn practical skills, such as network forensics and ethical hacking. A certificate is also awarded to students upon successful completion. The program helps students get started in cybersecurity careers and has helped hundreds of them secure employment in the field after graduation.

A shorter course can be finished in two years. That's the best part. You will need to put more effort if you want to continue your training. You will most likely spend your time studying, but regular classes will be required. Additionally, a longer course will cover topics like vulnerability assessment as well as digital forensics and encryption. You will need to devote at least six hours per day to your study if this is the route you choose. Regular attendance at scheduled meetings will be a requirement, whether they are in person or via online platforms like Skype or Google Hangouts. Depending on your location, these may be compulsory.

Course duration will depend on whether you choose a full-time or part-time program. Part-time courses tend to last less than full-time programs, so you might not be able to see the entire curriculum. Full-time programs typically require more intensive instruction. Therefore, they are likely to be spread across multiple semesters. No matter which route you choose to take, it is important that your chosen course has flexible scheduling options in order to make it work for you.

Statistics

The top five companies hiring the most IT professionals are Amazon, Google, IBM, Intel, and Facebook (itnews.co).
The top five regions contributing to the growth of IT professionals are North America, Western Europe, APJ, MEA, and Central/Eastern Europe (cee.com).
The median annual salary of computer and information technology jobs in the US is $88,240, well above the national average of $39,810 (bls.gov).
Employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 11% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. These occupations are projected to add about 531,200 new jobs, with companies looking to fill their ranks with specialists in cloud computing, collating and management of business information, and cybersecurity (bls.gov).
The global IoT market is expected to reach a value of USD 1,386.06 billion by 2026 from USD 761.4 billion in 2020 at a CAGR of 10.53% during the period 2021-2026 (globenewswire.com).
The top five countries contributing to the growth of the global IT industry are China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Germany (comptia.com).

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Why Study Cyber Security

If you're interested in securing your network, there are many reasons why you should learn about cyber security. Here are just a few:

You want to prepare yourself for a career as a cybersecurity specialist.
You would like to be a part the expanding field of computer crime investigation.
You want to keep your business secure from cyber criminals.
Cyberattacks should be avoided.
You love the challenge of finding solutions for problems.
Puzzles are your favorite pastime.
Programming is your passion.
You need to find out what causes people to click on malicious links.
You need to recognize phishing scams.
You want to stop identity theft.
Create your anti-virus program.
You just want to move ahead.
You want other people to learn cybersecurity.
You want to be recognized as a leader of your field.
Your goal is to change people's perceptions of cyber crime.