• Posted by: Eng. Donya Bino
• November 11, 2024

Stay One Step Ahead: The Power of Threat Intelligence & Threat Hunting

In a world where cyber threats are part of daily life, businesses need more than just basic defenses to stay safe. It’s like locking your front door—it’s essential, but wouldn’t you feel even safer if you had cameras, sensors, and even someone on the lookout for suspicious activity? This is where threat intelligence and threat hunting come into play.

Both terms may sound technical, but think of them as the eyes and ears of your cybersecurity defense system. They don’t just react to threats—they’re actively out there gathering intel and hunting down risks before they get anywhere close to your data.

What Exactly Is Threat Intelligence?

Imagine having insider information on a possible threat to your business. That’s basically what threat intelligence does. It’s about collecting data on cyber threats and translating that information into actionable insights. Knowing the methods that attackers use, the types of companies they’re after, and their preferred tools makes a big difference in how well you can defend yourself.

There are a few different types of threat intelligence:

1. Strategic: Big-picture info, like trends in cybercrime, that can impact your industry.
2. Tactical: Specific tactics that attackers use—think phishing emails or malware.
3. Operational: Real-time info on ongoing threats, which is great for immediate action.
4. Technical: This is the nitty-gritty stuff like IP addresses, malware hashes, and domains attackers use.

With threat intelligence, you know not only what to expect but also what’s most likely to come next.

And What About Threat Hunting?

Threat hunting is the detective work of cybersecurity. It’s a proactive approach where skilled professionals look through your systems to spot hidden threats that may have slipped past traditional defenses. Think of it as a cyber version of a security sweep through every part of your digital environment.

Here’s how threat hunting typically works:

1. Build a Hypothesis: Threat hunters start with a question like, “Is there any unusual activity in our network?”
2. Gather Data: Using logs, network traffic, and security tools, they gather relevant data to test their hypothesis.
3. Analyze: They dig through the data to uncover any patterns or anomalies.
4. Respond: If they find something suspicious, they take action—whether it’s isolating affected systems or adjusting security measures.

While threat intelligence gives you the “who, what, and why,” threat hunting focuses on the “where” and “how.”

Why Are These Two So Important?

Together, threat intelligence and threat hunting create a powerful, proactive defense. Here’s what makes them essential:

1. Stop Attacks Early: Threat intelligence helps you understand what to look out for, while threat hunting lets you catch threats before they turn into breaches.
2. Get Ahead of Attackers: You’re not just defending; you’re actively learning about attackers’ methods, so you’re always a step ahead.
3. Better Response Times: When you know what you’re up against, your team can respond faster and more effectively.
4. Increase Awareness: Knowing what threats are out there gives everyone in your organization an extra layer of security.

Ready to Add Threat Intelligence and Threat Hunting to Your Security?

To get started, many businesses begin by subscribing to a threat intelligence service that provides updates on new and emerging threats. Some companies hire a Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service or bring on trained threat hunters to strengthen their team’s expertise. Even small businesses can benefit from threat intelligence to be better prepared for whatever comes next.