Today, cyber threats are evolving exponentially and protecting your business depends on having access to information. Threat intelligence refers to the process of accessing the right information at the right time and is made up of gathering, analysing and using information regarding potential or current threats to your IT infrastructure. However, the effectiveness of any threat intelligence strategies lies in the reliability of the threat intelligence sources.
Choosing reliable threat intelligence sources is vital when it comes to identifying vulnerabilities, tracking threat actors and strengthening your cyber security. If threat intelligence is inaccurate, it can lead to poor decision making, increased risk and wasted resources. In this article, we unpack how to identify trustworthy sources and providers, and how you can successfully integrate intelligence into your overall cybersecurity strategy.
What Makes a Threat Intelligence Source Reliable?
The quality of information you rely on when it comes to threat intelligence, directly affects how quickly your business can respond effectively to a cyber threat. Below, we take a look at some of the most important traits when it comes to a reliable source:
- Accurate Reports: A reliable source offers verified and factual information rather than speculation. Accurate intelligence means that you are able to pinpoint real threats rather than false positives that create unnecessary distraction and panic.
- Real Time Updates: As threats shift everyday, a strong intelligence source should be able to deliver up-to-date data and alerts in real-time.
- Tailored to your Business: Threat intelligence needs to be tailored or customised to your business’s size, sector and digital footprint.
- Credible Sources: Trustworthy sources come from well respected cybersecurity vendors, industry experts, academic institutions or government agencies. This means that their data is peer-reviewed or supported through research and methodologies.
Types of Threat Intelligence Sources
In order to develop a comprehensive understanding of the threat landscape, businesses should be able to draw from a variety of intelligence sources. Each of these sources should bring a different kind of value and perspective to your cybersecurity posture.
Types of threat intelligence sources include:
- Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT): This refers to publicly available sources that include cybersecurity articles, threat intelligence feeds and forums. Reputable OSINT sources can include CERTS, analyst reports and security research labs. While accessible, these sources should always be vetted for reliability.
- Commercial Intelligence Providers: This refers to paid services that provide curated and industry specific threat intelligence and may include automated feeds, alerts and incident response support services. These providers often include access to threat intelligence platforms that are able to fully integrate with existing security tools and processes.
- Internal Sources: It is important to note that your own business environment generates valuable data. With this in mind, security logs, firewall logs and past incident reports can provide insight into recurring threats, attempted breaches and vulnerabilities within your organisation.
- Government and Industry Alerts: Agencies including the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre or NCSC and industry specific information sharing platforms issue alerts as well as threat bulletins. These are valuable and provide greater awareness for businesses.
How to Evaluate Threat Intelligence Providers
When choosing to use commercial threat intelligence providers, it is vital to evaluate them against clear criteria in order to ensure that their services fully align with your requirements.
Take a look at the following:
- Reputation Matters: Keep an eye out for well-established vendors with a strong track record – also look out for endorsements from trusted organisations. Industry awards and case studies are also important and can validate credibility.
- Data Coverage and Data Quality: The provider you choose to work with should collect and analyse data from a range of sources. Ask potential providers how they are able to validate data, if they use machine learning in their process and how often their feeds are updated.
- Responsiveness and Support: Providers should offer support when it comes to interpreting data and responding to certain incidents. This usually includes analyst support, integration or direct communication during an event.
- Compliance and Standards: Make sure that your provider complies with the relevant regulations including the GDPR, and follows best practices when it comes to data handling and sharing.
Integrating Threat Intelligence into Your Cybersecurity Strategy
Collecting high-quality intelligence is just the beginning. In order to be effective, threat intelligence needs to be successfully integrated into your larger security operations.
This includes
- Enhanced Detection Tools: Up-to-date intelligence should feed into SIEM systems, endpoint detection or intrusion detection tools in order to better their ability to detect new threats.
- Incident Responses: Contextual threat data should be used to guide responses.
- Risk Assessments: Use the latest intelligence to reassess your risk profile in order to ensure defences are focused on the most damaging and likely threats.
- Security Training: Keep staff aware of current phishing campaigns, malware trends, or targeted social engineering techniques by integrating threat intelligence into awareness training.
Best Practices for Maintaining Threat Intelligence Accuracy
In order to get the most out of your intelligence, your organisation should commit to regular reviews as well as refinements:
- Review and Update Sources: Continually assess your intelligence sources to ensure they remain credible and relevant – and replace or get rid of those that no longer meet your criteria.
- Cross-Reference Intelligence: Validate data by comparing it against multiple sources.
- Collaborate with Trusted Networks: Engage in industry-specific threat sharing communities or public-private partnerships.
- Assign Ownership: Have clear internal ownership for managing and actioning threat intelligence. Whether it’s an internal analyst or a third-party provider as this kind of accountability ensures timely response.
Secure Your Business with Trusted Threat Intelligence Sources
Cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated and persistent. Without accurate, timely, and relevant intelligence, your business is left reacting to attacks rather than proactively defending against them.
At Foxtech, we help organisations identify, assess, and integrate trusted threat intelligence sources tailored to their specific risk profile and compliance needs. Our approach means you are empowered to make informed decisions quickly, stay ahead of emerging threats, and protect your assets.
Contact Foxtech today and strengthen your threat intelligence capabilities.
