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Introduction:

In today’s complex threat landscape, organizations must take a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Threat-informed detection and prevention approaches involve using threat intelligence to identify and respond to potential cybersecurity threats. Within a Security Operations Center (SOC), threat-informed approaches can be integrated into the incident response process to more effectively detect, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity events. This paper will explore the use of threat-informed detection and prevention approaches and how they can be integrated into a SOC environment. Additionally, the paper will relate and map these approaches to the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF).

Threat-Informed Detection Approaches:

Threat-informed detection approaches involve analyzing threat intelligence to identify potential cybersecurity threats. These approaches can include implementing advanced analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance detection capabilities.

One way to implement a threat-informed detection approach is through the use of network traffic analysis (NTA) tools. NTA tools can monitor network traffic for anomalous behavior and identify potential threats. By analyzing threat intelligence, NTA tools can identify threats that may not be detected by traditional signature-based detection methods.

Another approach is to implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools that are based on threat intelligence. EDR tools can monitor endpoint devices for anomalous behavior and identify potential threats. By analyzing threat intelligence, EDR tools can identify threats that may not be detected by traditional signature-based detection methods.

Threat intelligence can also be used to identify potential phishing attacks. By analyzing threat intelligence, organizations can identify phishing campaigns that are targeting their industry or sector. This information can be used to implement email filtering and user education programs that are designed to prevent users from falling victim to phishing attacks.

Threat-Informed Prevention Approaches:

Threat-informed prevention approaches involve proactively mitigating the risk of cybersecurity threats. These approaches can include identifying vulnerabilities, hardening systems and applications, and implementing access controls.

One way to implement a threat-informed prevention approach is through the use of vulnerability scanning and management tools. These tools can scan systems and applications to identify vulnerabilities and prioritize remediation efforts based on threat intelligence. Threat intelligence can be used to understand the likelihood and potential impact of a specific vulnerability being exploited by threat actors. This information can be used to prioritize the patching and mitigation of vulnerabilities that are most critical to the organization.

Another approach is to implement access controls that are based on threat intelligence. For example, access controls can be implemented based on the location of the user or the type of device being used. This can help to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data and systems. By using threat intelligence to understand the tactics and techniques used by threat actors, organizations can design access controls that are more effective at preventing unauthorized access.

Threat intelligence can also be used to identify potential insider threats. By analyzing threat intelligence, organizations can identify employees or contractors who may pose a risk to the organization. This can include employees who have access to sensitive data, or employees who have exhibited risky behavior in the past. By using threat intelligence to identify potential insider threats, organizations can implement access controls and monitoring tools to prevent unauthorized access and detect anomalous behavior.

Mapping to the NIST CSF:

The NIST CSF provides a framework for organizations to manage and reduce cybersecurity risk. The framework consists of five functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover.

Threat-informed detection and prevention approaches are relevant to the Identify, Protect, and Detect functions of the NIST CSF.

The Identify function involves understanding the organization’s systems, assets, and data, and identifying potential cybersecurity risks. Threat-informed detection and prevention approaches can help organizations identify potential cybersecurity risks by analyzing threat intelligence to identify vulnerabilities and potential threats. For example, vulnerability scanning and management tools can be used to identify potential vulnerabilities, and access controls can be implemented based on threat intelligence to prevent unauthorized access.

The Protect function involves implementing safeguards to protect systems, assets, and data from cybersecurity threats. Threat-informed prevention approaches can help organizations protect their systems, assets, and data by implementing access controls, hardening systems and applications, and identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities. For example, vulnerability scanning and management tools can be used to prioritize patching and mitigation efforts based on threat intelligence, and access controls can be implemented based on threat intelligence to prevent unauthorized access.

The Detect function involves identifying potential cybersecurity events in a timely manner. Threat-informed detection approaches can help organizations detect potential cybersecurity events by analyzing threat intelligence to identify anomalous behavior and potential threats. For example, network traffic analysis (NTA) tools can monitor network traffic for anomalous behavior and identify potential threats based on threat intelligence.

By integrating threat-informed detection and prevention approaches into their cybersecurity programs, organizations can enhance their ability to manage and reduce cybersecurity risk. Mapping these approaches to the NIST CSF can help organizations understand how they can use threat intelligence to implement effective cybersecurity controls.

Conclusion:

Threat-informed detection and prevention approaches can help organizations identify and mitigate potential cybersecurity threats. Within a SOC, these approaches can be integrated into the incident response process to more effectively detect, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity events. By mapping these approaches to the NIST CSF, organizations can better understand how they can use threat intelligence to manage and reduce cybersecurity risk. Ultimately, by taking a threat-informed approach to cybersecurity, organizations can better protect their systems, assets, and data from potential cybersecurity threats.