In the digital world we live in today, cyber-attacks are one of the most significant challenges we can face. A cyber attack can involve accessing sensitive data or making financial transactions from an account.
The key to dealing with cyber attacks is understanding the attack’s nature. Two main processes are involved in dealing with a cyber-attack: Cyber Threat Hunting and Cyber Risk Intelligence.
Identifying one is the first phase in protecting yourself from a cyber attack. Cyber threat hunting refers to the process of searching all devices or networks for the presence of a threat. While you may have systems to protect you from cyber threats, some still manage to evade detection. Once you have identified the threat, you can deal with it or prevent it from getting in subsequently.
There are three types of cyber threat hunting, all of which are conditioned upon the threat in question.
– Structured hunting
In structured hunting, a hunt is triggered once an attack is detected. The mode of attack of known threats is used to identify any attacks that may be present. The subsequent response will be determined by the attack in question and can even be handy in preventing such an attack. A valid database is needed to make the identification of an attack possible.
– Unstructured hunting
The attack in question is unidentified but has been detected due to its methods. A hunt is triggered, and possible responses are set in motion to counteract the attack based on the methodology of the approach. The hunter seeks information from the available database to determine possible solutions to the attack.
– Situational or entity driven
There is no evidence of a threat in the system, but a response is triggered after a suspected threat elsewhere. The hunter seeks out the threats found in a common data source and combs the system in question to help solve the threat.
The ability to fight off any threat comes from the available knowledge of it and the possible means of combating it. Cyber risk intelligence deals with all the information about threats, from identification to means of preventing or combating them. A large threat database means better chances of dealing with any potential threats.
– Strategic Threat Intelligence
Strategic threat intelligence is a non-specific type of intelligence dealing mainly with an overview of threat matters. This intelligence can show vulnerable areas or the severity of certain attacks. It is meant to serve as a guide and is mostly used in preparing reports for higher-ups in a company.
– Tactical Threat Intelligence
This is a more detailed approach and can involve information on specific attacks. With the information in this intelligence, the security team can build a security system that can withstand such a threat.
– Technical Threat Intelligence
Here, there is evidence of an attack; this intelligence provides information on how to identify it. As the information for dealing with threats constantly evolves, speed becomes essential when dealing with technical threat intelligence.
– Operational Threat Intelligence
A more detailed version of technical threat intelligence, operational threat intelligence, is only available to a chosen few individuals. It focuses on the whys, hows, and operation of an attack in a bid to prevent it in the future.