What Is Threat Intelligence

In cybersecurity, the dynamic between attackers and defenders is a lot like a chess game; both parties are continuously strategizing to outwit each other. Threat actors search for new avenues of attack; defenders do their best to block attacks, and both side iterate and adapt their tactics with each round. Identifying a way to move above this ongoing struggle is the best reason for an organization to invest in advanced cyber threat intelligence.

Baseline defense mechanisms like firewalls and intrusion prevention systems (IPS) are important, but, in essence, they are passive in nature. As part of an active security regime, threat intelligence is focused on defeating attacks, which include advanced persistent threats (APTs). 

APTs are performed by sophisticated malicious actors looking to undertake system intrusion for data theft, espionage, and even system disruption or destruction over a prolonged period which can culminate in ransomware after useful data has been exfiltrated. An in-depth understanding of APT strategies provides benefits when structuring an effective defense.

A more active approach to cybersecurity is using threat intelligence so that security teams do not operate in the dark. Threat intelligence brings to light not only the motives but also the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) that adversaries behind APTs might use.

Finally, IT departments can leverage threat intelligence as a tool to expand conversations about risk with stakeholders such as executive boards and CTOs. They can be armed to take threat insights and use them for strategic decisions best aligned with the company’s risk tolerance.

Cyber threat intelligence (CTI) offers a broad range of capabilities, from tactical and operational to more strategic use cases.

Tactical Threat Intelligence

Tactical threat intelligence is geared towards a more technical audience - from security operations center (SOC) staff, and incident responders, to security experts. Tactical threat intelligence is usually available in a machine-readable format. It is easily integrated into various threat intelligence tools and platforms through APIs and programmatic threat intelligence feeds.

The data points leveraged to detect malicious activities are called Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) and are key elements of this type of threat intelligence delivery. IOCs include IP addresses linked to known threats, malicious domain names, and file hashes that are identified as harmful.

These indicators evolved very quickly, so it is important to have a source which is constantly updating.

Because it provides immediate, actionable data without long-term analysis or broad insights, tactical threat intelligence complements operational and strategic intelligence. When an organization relies on only tactical threat intelligence, there is an increased risk of false positives – i.e., instances where benign activities are incorrectly flagged as malicious.

Uses and Examples of Tactical Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI)

·       Threat Feeds: Continuous streams of data providing information about potential threats.

·       Real-Time Alerts: Immediate notifications informing organizations of active threats in their environment.

·       Automated Malware Analysis: Automated processes examining malicious software to understand its function and threat level. 

Operational Threat Intelligence

Operational threat intelligence is all about the context. It assembles insights about cyberattacks to identify essential questions about adversarial campaigns and operations. The focus is on Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), as well as the intent and timing of attacks.

Obtaining information is not a straightforward process, as various sources are employed - from chat rooms, social media, and antivirus logs, to records from past attacks. The challenges of this approach are the result of malicious actors often using encryption, ambiguous or coded language, and private chat rooms. Data mining and machine learning are often used to process large volumes of data, but to produce a definitive analysis, the information must be contextualized by experts.

Operational threat intelligence, leveraged in Security Operations Centers (SOCs), enriches cybersecurity methodologies such as vulnerability management, threat monitoring, incident response, and so on, with operational threat intelligence.

Uses and Examples of Operational Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI)

·       Actor Profiling: Understanding and categorizing cyber adversaries based on their tactics, techniques, and procedures.

·       Patch Prioritization: Determining which software vulnerabilities to address first based on threat intelligence.

·       Incident Response: Actions taken to handle and mitigate threats once they’re detected. 

Strategic Threat Intelligence

Strategic threat intelligence translates complex and detailed information into a language which stakeholders including board members, executives, and senior decision makers can action upon. Outputs of strategic threat intelligence may include presentations, organization-wide risk reports, and comparisons of past, present, and future risk within an organization and compared to industry standards and best practices. Identifying gaps in compliance is a fundamental driver of strategic threat intelligence.

While summarized in reports, this type of threat intelligence delivery must also encompass extensive analysis of local and global trends, emerging cyber risks, and even geopolitical factors. Strategic threat intelligence offers is an essential part of long-term planning, risk management, and broad policy decisions. Strategic threat intelligence is integral to long-term strategic planning to guide organizations in aligning cybersecurity strategies with business objectives.

Uses and Examples of Strategic Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI)

·       Insider Threat: Developing comprehensive strategies to identify and address threats that originate from within the organization through methods such as analyzing behavioral patterns and access logs.

·       Deception Operations: Designing and implementing deception strategies to mislead and track potential attackers, revealing their techniques and intentions without compromising real assets.

·       Resource Allocation: Determining how to best allocate resources for cybersecurity based on the threat landscape, investing in new security technologies, hiring specialized personnel, or allocating funds towards employee training programs. 

Incorporating threat intel into your organization's overall cybersecurity strategy will shift defenses to be more proactive as you stay one step ahead of possible breaches. The adoption process is more strategic than just tool selection, requiring the internal teams to cooperate for effective threat intelligence implementation.

·       How does CTI (Cyber Threat Intelligence) integrate with my company's revenue objectives? 

The right CTI approach directly protects your revenue sources and processes by keeping critical systems safe, maintaining customer trust, and ensuring your business runs smoothly without interruption. Ensure the right balance between your CTI investment and the needed level of protection.

·       What is an actionable insight? 

An actionable insight from CTI provides clear, immediate steps that a security or operations team can take to improve the company's defenses. It is important to clearly define and work as much as possible with this type of insight because they lead to stronger security, and reduced costs from potential breaches.

·       How can I best integrate threat intelligence with my existing systems? 

Integrating CTI with your existing systems helps you leverage the strength of your current security infrastructure, enhancing capabilities with minimal additional investment. For example, through automation of manual processes, your team is freed from routine tasks and capable of a faster response to threats. Threat intel integration should help your existing team do more, faster, and more accurately, increase ROI. 

·       How can I improve my threat intel in the long run? 

To enhance your threat intelligence over time, select a CTI solution that aligns with your unique needs. Look for systems that offer adaptable feedback mechanisms, allowing for continuous refinement and advancement. Find cybersecurity partners that help you implement a CTI system that not only fits with your current operations but also evolves with them, bringing long-term improvement and value.

The world of ransomware is changing fast, becoming more complicated as new types emerge. Understanding these different forms is vital for putting in place a strong and flexible defense against cyber-attacks. 

Additionally, there are various ransomware families, such as WannaCryptor, Stop/DJVU, and Phobos, each bringing its unique traits. Being aware of these variations helps in strategizing specialized defenses that are more targeted and effective. 

Below is a list of the most frequently encountered types of ransomwares, categorized based on their modus operandi.

·       Crypto Ransomware or Encryptors: A mainstay in the malicious toolkit, Crypto Ransomware specializes in encrypting files and data, often utilizing advanced encryption algorithms. This tactic makes the data inaccessible until a decryption key, usually obtainable only through a cryptocurrency payment, is applied. Among this category, ransomware families like WannaCryptor have gained notoriety for their wide-reaching and devastating impacts.

·       Lockers: Focusing on system interaction rather than data integrity, Lockers incapacitate key functionalities of a computer, often displaying a ransom note on a locked screen. While they may not encrypt data, the disruption they cause is palpable. The Phobos ransomware family, for instance, has been known to utilize locker tactics alongside encryption methods.

·       Scareware: Operating primarily through psychological manipulation, Scareware purports to be legitimate antivirus software. It inundates users with incessant alerts about fabricated malware infections and often demands payment for “removal services.” Some advanced variants may also lock the computer, borrowing techniques from Lockers. Many times, scareware is the gateway to the infamous tech support scammers.

·       Doxware or Leakware: Doxware presents an augmented threat by seizing sensitive data and threatening its public release. Stakes here are elevated by the reputational risk involved. Occasionally, you may encounter police-themed ransomware, which masquerades as law enforcement, asserting that the user can avoid legal ramifications by paying a fine. 

·       Mobile Ransomware: As smartphones and tablets are ubiquitous in daily life, Mobile Ransomware has followed suit. These attacks target either the usability of the device or the data stored on it, compelling victims to pay for restoration.

·       DDoS Extortion: While not a conventional form of ransomware, DDoS Extortion employs similar principles—coercing victims into making financial payments to avert disruptions. Here, the threat lies in overwhelming a network or website with an influx of traffic, temporarily disabling its functionalities.

How to recover from a ransomware infection?

To decrypt files compromised by ransomware, you'll need an appropriate decryption tool. Identify the specific ransomware variant affecting your system and consult cybersecurity experts for tool availability. 

Many of them, like the ransomware remediation tools offered by Bitdefender Labs, are available free of charge. Swift and decisive action is crucial to prevent further dissemination of the ransomware, gauge its impact, and begin the recovery procedures.

Use the following action plan as a roadmap for ransomware recovery and establishing subsequent long-term protection. It outlines key steps, from initial signs of an attack to post-incident analysis, to help you restore affected systems and strengthen your cybersecurity measures.

Isolation and Containment

The first course of action should be to limit the ability of the malware to proliferate across your infrastructure.

·       Isolate Affected Devices: Immediately disconnect the compromised hardware from the network, the internet, and other connected devices.

·       Stop the Spread: Terminate all forms of wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) and isolate devices that show irregular behavior to prevent widespread disruption across the enterprise.

Assessment and Identification: 

Next, thoroughly analyze the impact and origin of the attack to inform subsequent steps.

·       Assess the Damage: Examine systems for encrypted files, abnormal file names, and collate user reports of issues with file accessibility. Develop a comprehensive list of compromised systems.

·       Locate Patient Zero: Scrutinize antivirus notifications, Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) platforms, and human-generated leads such as suspicious emails to pinpoint the infection source.

·       Identify the Ransomware Variant: Employ ransomware identification resources like Bitdefender Ransomware Recognition Tool or study the details in the ransom note to specify the ransomware strain in question. 

Legal Obligations: 

Following the immediate technical responses, it's critical to address legal responsibilities.

·       Notify Authorities: Report the incident to appropriate law enforcement agencies. This action may not only assist in data recovery but is sometimes essential for compliance with laws such as CIRCIA (US) or GDPR (EU).

Recovery and Restoration:

With the groundwork in place, the focus shifts to restoring compromised systems and ensuring the malware is entirely eradicated.

·       Evaluate Your Backups: If up-to-date backups are at hand, initiate system restoration, ensuring that antivirus and anti-malware tools eliminate all remnants of the ransomware prior to restoring the system.

·       Research Decryption Options: In cases where backups are not an option, consider free decryption tools such as the ones mentioned before, from Bitdefender. Make sure all traces of malware are eradicated before attempting decryption.

System Sanitization and Security Upgrades: 

With immediate threats neutralized, the emphasis should now be on identifying weaknesses and improving your cybersecurity architecture.

·       Eradicate the Threat: Conduct a root-cause analysis, typically guided by a trusted cybersecurity expert, to identify all system vulnerabilities and completely remove the threat from your network.

·       Prioritize Restoration: Focus first on restoring the most mission-critical systems, considering their effect on productivity and revenue streams.

Final Options and Forward Planning 

As you move towards normalization, keep an eye on long-term strategies to mitigate the likelihood of future attacks.

·       Reset or Rebuild: If backups or decryption keys are unattainable, resetting the systems to factory settings or a complete rebuild may be inevitable.

·       Futureproofing: Bear in mind that previous ransomware victims are at higher risk of subsequent attacks. Therefore, a post-incident audit should focus on potential security upgrades to mitigate future risks.

In conclusion, a coordinated, informed approach to recovery can lessen damage and speed up your return to normal operations.