What is Cyber Threat Intelligence?
Cyber Threat Intelligence Definition
Every day, organizations around the world are forced to deal with a barrage of increasingly dangerous and sophisticated cyber threats. Threat intelligence (also known as cyber threat intelligence, or CTI) is a powerful tool that can help cybersecurity teams stay up to date and informed about new and emerging cyber threats, identify potential risks or vulnerabilities in their systems, and protect their IT networks, business, and reputation.
Threat intelligence involves gathering and analyzing intelligence from a variety of different sources to create a survey of the cyber threat landscape and build a profile of the latest tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) being used by bad actors. The sources of CTI can range from open-source intelligence (OSINT) and indicators of compromise (IoCs) to internal analyses, technical intelligence, cyberattack forensic data, social media sources, commercial intelligence providers, and individual device logs.
Unlike traditional security measures such as firewalls or anti-malware software which defend against attacks that are already underway, threat intelligence allows organizations to adopt a more proactive approach towards cybersecurity by taking concrete, actionable, and data-driven steps to prevent cyberattacks before they occur.
Why is threat intelligence important?
Threat intelligence is a crucial part of an organization’s threat detection and response strategy that helps cybersecurity teams understand the mindset, methods, and motives of cybercriminals so they can proactively identify emerging threats, anticipate how best to defend against them, and implement those defences before an attack takes place.
By allowing organizations to make smart decisions fast, threat intelligence also makes it possible to react more quickly and decisively when cyberattacks do occur—everything from phishing schemes and malware attacks to botnet assaults, ransomware attacks, data breaches, identity threats, SQL and DDoS attacks, and advanced persistent threats (APTs).
Combining proactive and reactive approaches enables organizations to fortify their security posture, minimize risk, and respond to threat incidents more efficiently. As a result, businesses ranging from large financial institutions and resource firms to entertainment conglomerates and multinational social media companies have been able to successfully use threat intelligence to defend themselves and their customers against both real and potential cyber threats—potentially saving millions of dollars in remediation costs in the process.
The Threat Intelligence Lifecycle
The threat intelligence lifecycle consists of six key stages that allow organizations to turn raw threat data into meaningful intelligence
1. Planning
First, the cybersecurity team works with all key stakeholders to identify which threats they want to investigate, define the objectives they want to achieve, outline roles and responsibilities, plan for any specific issues or challenges that must be met, and establish the requirements for the intelligence they want to gather.
2. Collection
Next, relevant intelligence data is gathered from as many different internal and external sources as possible to answer the stakeholders’ questions and paint a complete picture of the main risks, vulnerabilities, bad actors, and methods of attack.
3. Processing
This raw data that has been collected then needs to be organized, filtered, decrypted and translated into a format that can be analyzed. This step involves removing irrelevant, duplicate, or outdated information while categorizing and structuring useful data. Proper data processing ensures only high-quality information moves forward in the lifecycle.
4. Analysis
All of that raw data is then processed, assessed, and analyzed using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) tools to identify any patterns or trends in the data, distinguish real threats from the false positives, highlight the most likely targets and vectors of attack, and create a plan for how to respond to any security incidents.
5. Dissemination
Once actionable intelligence is generated, it must be shared with the appropriate stakeholders. Tailored reporting is crucial, technical teams may require detailed logs and technical data, while executives need high-level summaries to understand risks and allocate resources effectively. Effective dissemination ensures the right people take the right actions.
6. Feedback
The final step is to gather feedback from stakeholders and use it to refine the intelligence cycle. This includes identifying gaps in the process, expanding data sources and adjusting objectives based on evolving threats. Continuous improvement ensures the lifecycle stays relevant and effective over time.
What is a Cyber Threat?
A cyber threat refers to a malicious attempt aimed at damaging, disrupting, or gaining unauthorized access to networks, digital assets, or systems. These threats can arise from multiple sources, such as cybercriminals, insiders, nation-state actors, or hacktivists, and can take the form of malware, ransomware, phishing, DDoS attacks, and more.
Understanding cyber threats is essential for Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI). By examining the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) employed by threat actors, organizations can predict and defend against both existing and new attacks.
Types of Threat Intelligence
While all threat intelligence platforms follow the same general process, there are several different types of threat intelligence organizations can use to inform their security teams and bolster their security systems. Three of the most common types are:
Tactical Threat Intelligence
Tactical Threat Intelligence is more focused on real-world attack indicators, often referred to as Indicators of Compromise (IOCs). These include IP addresses, domain names, file hashes, and malware signatures that can be used to detect and block known cyber threats. Tactical intelligence is highly automated, as security tools such as firewalls, SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) systems, and endpoint protection solutions ingest IOCs automatically to strengthen an organization’s defenses. However, because cybercriminals frequently change their tactics, tactical intelligence has a short lifespan, requiring continuous updates to remain effective.
Operational Threat Intelligence
Operational Threat Intelligence dives deeper into how cyber attackers operate by analyzing their Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs). This intelligence is highly valuable for security teams, including incident responders and threat hunters, as it provides insight into active cybercriminal activities, helping organizations anticipate and counteract attacks before they occur. Unlike tactical intelligence, which is largely automated, operational intelligence requires significant human expertise. Analysts often gather this intelligence through dark web monitoring, malware analysis, and forensic investigations. Because of its reliance on manual assessment, operational intelligence can be resource-intensive, but it plays a crucial role in understanding adversary behavior and strengthening proactive defense strategies.
Strategic Threat Intelligence
Strategic Threat Intelligence provides a broad, high-level view of the cybersecurity landscape, focusing on long-term trends, geopolitical threats, and industry-specific risks. It is primarily designed for executives, CISOs, and decision-makers who use this intelligence to shape security policies, allocate budgets, and align cybersecurity with business goals. Unlike other forms of threat intelligence, strategic intelligence is largely qualitative and requires human analysis, as it involves interpreting reports, research papers, and regulatory developments. While it helps organizations prepare for future risks, it does not provide immediate, actionable data for stopping real-time attacks.
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) refers to the process of gathering and analyzing publicly accessible information from sources such as news outlets, websites, social media, forums, and public records. This information is used to collect threat intelligence for cybersecurity investigations and conduct threat analysis.
OSINT is valuable for its accessibility and breadth, providing early indicators of cyber threats, analyzing adversarial activities on underground forums, and identifying leaked credentials. It plays a crucial role in strategic and operational threat intelligence by offering context on geopolitical risks, threat actor motivations, and emerging attack vectors.
Threat Intelligence Tools
Effective CTI relies on various tools that assist security teams in gathering, analyzing, and acting upon threat data:
Threat Intelligence Platforms (TIPs): These platforms aggregate threat data from various internal and external sources, enrich it with context, and support automated workflows for faster threat prioritization and response.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): SIEM systems collect and correlate log data from across an organization’s infrastructure to detect anomalies and alert teams to suspicious or malicious activities.
Extended Detection and Response (EDR): EDR tools integrate data from multiple security layers—such as endpoints, network traffic, and cloud environments—to provide a unified view and enhance incident detection and response.
Dark Web Monitoring Tools: These tools monitor underground forums, marketplaces, and data dumps for signs of compromised credentials, planned attacks, or data leaks, enabling early risk mitigation..
- MITRE ATT&CK Navigator: A visual framework that maps threats to known adversary behaviors, helping organizations identify coverage gaps and align security controls with real-world attack techniques.
Benefits of Implementing Threat Intelligence
Proactive Defense: Stay ahead of cybercriminals by identifying threats before they happen. Threat intelligence helps organizations anticipate potential attacks, enabling them to neutralize risks before they cause harm.
Enhanced Decision-Making: Help your IT and security teams make smarter, more confident decisions about your cybersecurity strategy. Threat intelligence provides them with accurate, up-to-date insights, enabling targeted and effective security investments by identifying real threats and prioritizing actions accordingly.
Improved Incident Response: Respond to security breaches faster and more effectively with actionable insights. Threat intelligence equips your team with the tools and knowledge needed to quickly identify the source of an attack and mitigate its impact.
Increased Awareness of Emerging Threats: Cyber threats evolve rapidly and staying informed about new attack methods is essential. Threat intelligence provides real-time updates on emerging risks, keeping your organization prepared for the latest challenges.
Enhanced Security Posture: By integrating threat intelligence into your security framework, you can systematically strengthen your organization’s defenses. This not only reduces vulnerabilities but also builds resilience against future attacks.
- Regulatory Compliance: Many industries require organizations to adhere to cybersecurity regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA and ISO 27001. Threat intelligence helps meet these compliance requirements by identifying security gaps and ensuring proper risk mitigation strategies are in place.
Who can benefit from threat intelligence?
Threat intelligence can benefit businesses of any size and in every sector of the economy. This includes organizations trying to protect their own sensitive assets and information, security analysts who use threat intelligence technologies to analyze and interpret vast amounts of raw data, and even law enforcement agencies that rely on threat intelligence to track bad actors and investigate cybercrimes.
For larger businesses, threat intelligence can significantly reduce cybersecurity costs while improving security outcomes. For small- and medium-sized businesses that lack the money or resources to employ a dedicated in-house cybersecurity team, threat intelligence provides a way to prioritize high-impact security measures that can mitigate their biggest risks.
Effective threat intelligence can also help organizations inform their corporate strategies by giving them the data and insights they need to identify the most likely threats, assess the potential impacts on their business operations, and guide their security investments appropriately.
Unlike most other cybersecurity tools, threat intelligence can be shared collaboratively between organizations, cybersecurity providers, and government agencies. That exchange delivers mutual benefits, allowing businesses to combat cyber threats more effectively, strengthen their collective defences, and stay one step ahead of even the most malicious attackers.
Where can I get help with threat intelligence?
Powered by more than 35 years of global threat research, Trend Micro™ Threat Intelligence delivers deep insights into emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and indicators of compromise (IoCs). With more than 250 million sensors, research from more than 450 global experts, and the industry’s largest bug bounty program—the Trend Zero Day Initiative™ (ZDI)—it provides unparalleled intelligence for proactive security.
Seamlessly integrated into our Trend Vision One™ AI-powered enterprise cybersecurity platform, it enriches XDR alert investigations and cyber risk exposure management, enabling faster, data-driven decisions and reduced risk exposure.