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Cyber Threat Intelligence Program Plan Outline

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Table of Contents
Cyber Threat Intelligence Program Plan Outline............................................................................3

Executive Summary.........................................................................................................................3

Introduction......................................................................................................................................4

Purpose............................................................................................................................................4

Key aims and objectives are as follows.......................................................................................4

Cyber Threat Landscape Assessment..............................................................................................5

Requirements Analysis....................................................................................................................7

Data Collection Strategy..................................................................................................................8

Analysis Methodology...................................................................................................................10

Intelligence Products and Dissemination.......................................................................................10

Risk Reduction Plan......................................................................................................................11

Recommendations..........................................................................................................................12

Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................12
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Cyber Threat Intelligence Program Plan Outline

Executive Summary
Due to the advanced skills of attackers and the alluring worth of our data and systems,

cyber-attacks offer an ever-increasing danger to our firms. Recent events have shown how threat

actors may get past even the most effective defenses via phishing, ransomware, and other

techniques. We must transition from a reactive to a proactive posture based on cyber threat

information if we are to increase our security posture. This strategy describes our company's

official cyber threat intelligence program. We will get more knowledge from the program on the

goals, objectives, and strategies used by relevant threat groups. We may create intelligence

solutions that are specifically suited to our particular risks and needs by collecting and analyzing

data from both internal and external sources. These will make it possible for security teams to fix

weaknesses before they are exploited and leadership to make strategic choices. The strategy

includes requirements, collecting tactics, routines for analysis and dissemination, and

recommendations. The cyber threat intelligence program, if it is put into place, will provide early

warnings, promote risk mitigation, and eventually enable us to prevent, mitigate, or survive

cyberattacks. Management, network defenses, incident response, and organizational resilience

will all be informed by intelligence. This strategy is the first stage of a development process that

will eventually turn cybersecurity from a cost center to a strategic competency that offers value

and a competitive advantage.

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Introduction
Recent years have seen a sharp increase in cyber-attacks, putting businesses in all sectors

at increased risk. Threat actors, who might range from cybercriminals to state-sponsored

organizations, have significantly extended their capabilities. Attackers are using zero-day

vulnerabilities, supply chain breaches, and other cutting-edge techniques to get beyond

established network protections (Zhou, 2022). The attack surface has grown due to the

widespread use of cloud, mobile, and internet-connected devices. No business is safe from cyber

dangers. Organizations can no longer only depend on prevention-focused security procedures to

protect against determined, well-resourced attackers. A defensive posture is insufficient. It is

obvious that greater proactive capabilities that provide alerts and situational awareness for

dangers are needed. Understanding who could attack the company, their objectives and

capabilities, how they operate, and what vulnerabilities they aim to exploit requires cyber threat

intelligence (CTI) (Mavroeidis & Bromander, 2017). Organizations may change the emphasis of

their security initiatives from threats to risks by employing pertinent CTI. Our firm will be better

equipped to manage risk and take precautions to prevent, reduce, or survive possible

cyberattacks after a formal CTI program has been put in place.

Purpose
In order to support risk-based choices for proactive cyber security, a cyber threat

intelligence program is being implemented. Its goal is to deliver pertinent, timely, and actionable

data. The training seeks to provide CEOs, IT teams, and security professionals with a thorough

grasp of the threat environment unique to our firm.

Key aims and objectives are as follows.

 Become more aware of threat actors, their capabilities, objectives, and attack lifecycles.
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 Based on adversary interest and activity, determine which data, systems, and processes

are most vulnerable.

 Examine relevant to our industry exploits, malware, and attacker infrastructure.

 Make it possible to prioritize security measures, spending, and resources depending on

risk.

 Give early notice of new occurrences, hacks, and threats.

 Develop strategic and tactical countermeasures using knowledge.

 Promote risk reduction and security upgrades across the company.

 Avoid, divert, or lessen the effects of cyberattacks.

We may concentrate defenses on genuine and immediate threats with an intelligence-driven

security program, closing holes before they are used against us. The complicated cyber threat

environment will be securely navigated by decision-makers with the help of crucial information.

Cyber Threat Landscape Assessment

As new players enter the scene and old ones hone their strategies, the cyber threat

environment is continuously changing. Several organizations require careful observation and

intelligence collecting, according to study and analysis of dangers that are pertinent to our sector,

area, and potentially very valuable data. The APT28 group, often known as Fancy Bear, is the

first. Since the middle of the 2000s, this threat actor has been supported by the Russian

government and has attacked enterprises, governments, and armed forces. They carry out

information operations and espionage against geopolitical adversaries in line with Russian

geostrategic objectives. APT28 has strong capabilities and uses spear phishing, zero-day

vulnerabilities, credential harvesting, and other cutting-edge methods to obtain initial access to

target networks (Bahrami et al., 2019). Once inside, they stealthily walk laterally, mark their
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location, and steal confidential information. Given the valuable intellectual property and

confidential data held by our company, APT28 could try to get into our network to steal trade

secrets. Their track record of supply chain strikes also poses a significant risk. Because they

target huge businesses like big game, ransomware gangs like DarkSide, REvil, and Ryuk are

becoming a greater threat (Cong et al., 2023). These criminals get into corporate networks and

use ransomware to encrypt vital systems in order to demand payment. The downtime and

recovery expenses might make business unviable even if the virus is confined. Before beginning

their assaults, ransomware gangs get access by using phishing, third-party vulnerabilities, and

unsecured remote access. Our company is a desirable target because of our client databases,

financial systems, and confidential information. Insider threats are also a growing source of risk,

whether they come from negligently created inadvertent exposures or deliberate exfiltration by

dissatisfied workers. Due to the mix of sensitive customer data, proprietary information, and

financial data inside our firm, this danger must be constantly monitored. Insider risk events are

influenced by access abuse, removable media, cloud storage, credential theft through phishing,

and other elements. Another possible danger comes from hacktivists like Anonymous and Lizard

Squad. Although they have less sophisticated capabilities than advanced persistent threat (APT)

organizations, their goal is not to stay undetected but rather to cause humiliation, operational

interruption, and brand harm. Our public profile could enrage hacktivists, which might result in

website defacements, DDoS assaults, and data dumps. Underground forums for cybercriminals

serve as centers for the development and trade of malware, exploits, and hacking services. They

are in charge of making the criminal organizations and instruments that support numerous

assaults into commodities. Monitoring the information coming from these networks allows for

early detection of new strategies, instruments, and targets. This landscape overview gives context
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for recognized dangers, but since the environment is continuously changing, our software must

also find and keep an eye on new players. By putting in place a systematic intelligence program,

we may shed light on enemy tactics, alert to impending dangers, and eventually strengthen our

defenses against tenacious, skillful cyber attackers across the spectrum.

Requirements Analysis
Conducting a comprehensive requirements analysis to identify the organization's primary

intelligence requirements is a crucial first step in developing an efficient cyber threat intelligence

program. In order to establish where intelligence can have the largest influence, this research

looks at the confluence of risks, vulnerabilities, security flaws, and threat capabilities. The firm

can make sure threat intelligence offers the most value for bolstering defenses and resilience by

directly tying needs to risks.

The first step in requirements analysis is to identify the digital assets, data, systems, and

business processes of the firm that serve as the "crown jewels" for attackers to target. Targets of

particular importance include proprietary source code, financial systems, intellectual property

repositories, and customer datasets. Based on elements like unpatched software, incorrect setups,

too liberal access, and insufficient logging, the analysis determines which of these high-value

assets is most susceptible. Risk is increased by security flaws such inadequate network

segmentation, poor identity management, and a failure to recognize insider threats.

Requirements analysis indicates where present measures fall short of providing

appropriate security by overlaying the risk picture with information on prior security events and

breaches. Intelligence is needed to detect unknown dangers operating in blind spots and visibility

chasms. It is important to expose new viruses and vulnerabilities that skilled attackers employ to

get around security measures. The most significant outcome of requirements analysis is the
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identification of threat actors that represent the most danger to vital assets and vulnerabilities.

Their infrastructure, methods, tools, and strategies for intrusions become top targets for

intelligence gathering. Ongoing battles against like groups provide us early notice of system

growth.

Workflows for collection, analysis, production, and distribution are directly influenced by

requirements. Products for gathering intelligence may be made to monitor the most important

threats, weaknesses, and security holes. This creates a security program that is intelligence-

driven and focuses on addressing actual threats rather than running after every possible danger.

The requirements analysis technique gives threat intelligence a roadmap for delivering the most

value when hardening defenses. But it is still a process that is always evolving as new systems,

data, and dangers eventually emerge. Organizations may secure their most important assets and

business activities by ensuring alignment between threat intelligence and risk reduction.

Data Collection Strategy

Rich data is regularly gathered from a variety of sources, both internal and external, to

provide robust threat information. To support focused, relevant operations, the collecting

approach must be in line with the program's fundamental intelligence needs. Focus and

flexibility are balanced in an effective collection, which has clearly defined priorities as well as

freedom for exploration. Open source intelligence provides very useful insight into the identities,

motives, capabilities, tools, and strategies of threat actors. TTPs, campaigns, vulnerabilities, and

malware are discovered via the monitoring of hacker forums, social media, technical blogs, code

repositories, and other open platforms (Sun et al., 2023). Open source gathering, however,

requires knowledge of deception, the ability to locate relevant websites, and foreign language

proficiency. Through cooperation with public and commercial sector partners, participation in
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threat intelligence communities allows the collection, analysis, and exchange of cyber data at

scale. Shared platforms are often where new attack early warnings first surface. A successful

approach gives back to partners by providing data. Monitoring the dark web offers a unique

window into the activities of threat actors, technological flaws, and illegal markets. TTPs and

vulnerabilities are revealed through actor aliases, forums, paste sites, message channels, and dark

web social media before they are made public. Anonymous dark web data gathering and analysis

are made possible by specialized technologies. Internally, crucial localized context is provided

by centralized logging, endpoint detection, incident response data, help desk requests,

compromised account monitoring, and other IT systems (Kaur et al., 2023). Greater

comprehensive coverage is delivered by integrating internal and external data. Higher volume

data collecting from open and dark sources is made possible by automated techniques such

tailored scrapers, bots, and API connections. Analysts' manual review is still crucial for context,

judgment, and intuition. For clandestine organizations, specialized individuals are required for

manual collecting, translation, and monitoring. A threat data gathering process that is planned,

documented, and in line with requirements is made possible by centralized planning and

workflow dashboards. Analysts have access to the most recent dangers that have been prioritized

while still having freedom to use their expertise and intuition. Organizations may obtain reliable,

relevant threat data by combining targeted, requirements-driven collection with opportunity for

exploration. Analysts that have access to comprehensive integrated information are better

equipped to identify hazards early, provide warnings that can be taken, and support enterprise-

wide risk-based decision-making.

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Analysis Methodology
Threat intelligence analysis turns unstructured data into relevant, useful outputs that are

designed to guide security choices and lower risk. A consistent technique with the functions of

correlation, assessment, synthesis, translation, and distribution is necessary for effective analysis.

Link analysis, visualizations, entity extraction, and malware reverse engineering are some of the

methods analysts use to connect scattered data pieces into thorough threat narratives. To prevent

fraud, analytical tradecraft establishes the origin, dependability, and attribution of data. In order

to quickly identify risks, robust analytic systems connect internal and external data flows via

orchestration, automation, and machine learning. Platforms for centralized collaboration provide

analysts the ability to create threat use cases, trends, and indications. Effective analysis

communicates antagonistic intentions, behaviors, and creativity beyond technical facts.

Customized analytical solutions enable stakeholders to decide on security strategy, investments,

and controls quickly and based on risk. Continuous improvement in abilities, procedures, and

technology produces targeted, significant intelligence that directly influences risk reduction and

mitigation. The potential value of threat data for the organization is activated through analysis.

Intelligence Products and Dissemination

Delivering customized solutions that connect with many stakeholders within the

enterprise is essential for effective threat intelligence. Consumable reports, briefings, warnings,

and metrics are produced by synthesizing technical analysis. Workflows for distribution match

pertinent information to each stakeholder's demands and risk ownership. Threat alerts are an

example of a tactical product that provides security operations and incident response with timely

signs of ongoing assaults that need quick action. In order to help security officials make long-

term choices, strategic intelligence reports decode the motives, methods, and targets of actors.

Vulnerability analyses point up vulnerable areas that need to be patched and fixed. Executive
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briefings describe corporate risks, landscape threats, and security roadmaps. Crisis management

tools provide leadership with alerts about impending risks and suggested responses. Potential

brand dangers are identified using media analytics. Industry reviews measure the security

maturity of the firm. Centralized platforms, email, in-person briefings, and interaction with

security systems are all used for dissemination. While protecting sensitive materials, workflow

automation and mobile access provide speed and convenience. Over time, ongoing stakeholder

input sharpens a product's relevance. Threat information is scaled via distribution, allowing

everyone to participate actively in mitigating cyber threats.

Risk Reduction Plan

Informing security controls, budgets, and roadmaps is a crucial part of threat

intelligence's role in allowing real risk reduction. Threat intelligence is transformed into strategic

advancements and tactical countermeasures against key threats by our risk reduction strategy.

Priority projects consist of combining security toolkits for improved detection, putting in place

zero trust access rules to prevent lateral movement, forming a cyber threat hunting team to look

for enemies, and creating a safe system development life cycle. In order to discover attackers

sooner, we will invest in deception technologies, managed threat hunting services for enduring

holes, and automation to speed up reaction. Improved logging, micro-segmentation to isolate

vital assets, and multifactor authentication are other crucial priority areas. Threat information

will influence configuration hardening to resolve misconfigurations, drive patch priority based

on risks, and direct policies and training to reduce insider and third-party threats. To improve

early warning and prevention, we will take part in communities that share threat information.

War-games and exercises that are still being conducted will show where risk reduction has

improved over time and where gaps still exist. Threat information may go from informing
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leadership to facilitating action across security departments thanks to this methodology. Risk

reduction that can be measured offers real benefit for the whole business.

Recommendations
Hiring dedicated analysts, purchasing specialized collecting and analysis technologies,

and constructing a single intelligence hub with internal and external data flows are important

activities to execute our threat intelligence program. Initial specifications will be developed with

a focus on critical systems, threats, and intelligence gaps. To address short-term dangers,

collection will focus on secret forums, dark web sites, and integration with incident response.

Analysis and manufacturing will be accelerated via automation and partnerships. We will

increase data sources, use machine learning for pattern identification, and recruit data scientists

as our skills advance. International gathering and strategic analysis will increase under longer-

term roadmaps. Teams of security personnel will include specialized intelligence specialists.

Tradecraft will be strengthened by ongoing skill development through cross-training, threat

simulation exercises, and outfitting analysts as "hunters." Our program's ultimate goals include

early warning, risk reduction, and speedier reaction times for the whole organization.

Conclusion
An important strategic step toward enabling proactive, risk-based security is the

implementation of a cyber threat intelligence program. The foundation for constructing

capabilities, procedures, and stakeholder alignment is provided by this plan. Threat intelligence

will enable leadership, security teams, and business units to make wise choices via requirement-

driven collection, thorough analysis, targeted output, and distribution. Threat intelligence

contributes to quantifiable risk reduction by guiding controls, investments, and actions. Our

threat intelligence program will develop with the backing of the executive team from a
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fundamental capacity to an enterprise center of excellence offering early warnings, targeted

defenses, and competitive advantage.

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References

Zhou, K. Q. (2022). Zero-Day Vulnerabilities: Unveiling the Threat Landscape in Network

Security. Mesopotamian Journal of CyberSecurity, 2022, 57-64.

Mavroeidis, V., & Bromander, S. (2017, September). Cyber threat intelligence model: an

evaluation of taxonomies, sharing standards, and ontologies within cyber threat

intelligence. In 2017 European Intelligence and Security Informatics Conference

(EISIC) (pp. 91-98). IEEE.

Bahrami, P. N., Dehghantanha, A., Dargahi, T., Parizi, R. M., Choo, K. K. R., & Javadi, H. H.

(2019). Cyber kill chain-based taxonomy of advanced persistent threat actors: Analogy of

tactics, techniques, and procedures. Journal of information processing systems, 15(4),

865-889.

Cong, L. W., Harvey, C. R., Rabetti, D., & Wu, Z. Y. (2023). An anatomy of crypto-enabled

cybercrimes (No. w30834). National Bureau of Economic Research.

Sun, N., Ding, M., Jiang, J., Xu, W., Mo, X., Tai, Y., & Zhang, J. (2023). Cyber Threat

Intelligence Mining for Proactive Cybersecurity Defense: A Survey and New

Perspectives. IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials.

Kaur, R., Gabrijelčič, D., & Klobučar, T. (2023). Artificial intelligence for cybersecurity:

Literature review and future research directions. Information Fusion, 101804.