In today’s digital landscape, cyber threats are an ever-present concern for businesses of all sizes. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are no exception, as they often find themselves in the crosshairs of cybercriminals looking to exploit their vulnerabilities. This comprehensive guide’ll explore how SMBs can leverage cyber threat intelligence (CTI) to enhance their cybersecurity posture and stay ahead of potential threats. We’ll dive deep into the world of cyber threat intelligence, discuss its various levels, and explain how SMBs can benefit from this valuable resource. Additionally, we’ll introduce you to Perspective Intelligence, a boutique cyber threat intelligence service provider that specialises in helping businesses in the UK and across the globe.
Table of Contents
- The Growing Cyber Threat Landscape for SMBs
- Understanding Cyber Threat Intelligence
- The Different Levels of Cyber Threat Intelligence
- The Value of Cyber Threat Intelligence for SMBs
- Practical Use Cases of Threat Intelligence for SMBs
- Overcoming the Challenges of Implementing Threat Intelligence
- Outsourcing vs. In-house Threat Intelligence: Pros and Cons
- Integrating Threat Intelligence with Existing Security Measures
- Key Components of an Effective Threat Intelligence Program
- Introducing Perspective Intelligence: Boutique Cyber Threat Intelligence Services
1. The Growing Cyber Threat Landscape for SMBs
Contrary to popular belief, cyber threats aren’t limited to large corporations and enterprises. In fact, SMBs have increasingly become popular targets for cybercriminals, who are attracted by their smaller security budgets and potential weaknesses. Research by Symantec reveals that a staggering 65% of cyberattacks target SMBs, and the number of SMB breaches has increased by a massive 424% since 2017. The stakes are high for SMBs, as they often face significant financial strain following a cyberattack, with an average yearly loss of $80,000.
2. Understanding Cyber Threat Intelligence
Cyber threat intelligence (CTI) is the process of collecting, analysing, and disseminating information about cyber threats, both present and predicted, that target your organisation. This information is derived from various internal and external sources, such as security systems, firewalls, user and entity behaviour analytics, SIEMs, open-source intelligence, social media intelligence, and dark-web intelligence. CTI provides relevant, timely, contextualized, trustworthy, and actionable information that helps organisations stay ahead of adversarial threats and make informed decisions about their cybersecurity measures.
3. The Different Levels of Cyber Threat Intelligence
CTI can be divided into three primary levels:
- Strategic Threat Intelligence: This macro view of the threat landscape comprises emerging trends and strategic insights, typically relevant to senior business leaders who require quarterly or annual threat reports or who need insights to inform business decisions around policy and approaches to their IT infrastructure.
- Tactical Intelligence: Focusing on short- or medium-term threats, this level provides real-time information on threats, tactics, and procedures (TTPs). It is most relevant for IT and security managers, analysts, and technical teams aiming to create proactive defences.
- Operational Intelligence: This level caters to Security Operations Centre (SOC) and cybersecurity responders, highlighting the specifics of incoming attacks and real-time responses needed to prepare for imminent threats or bolster defences when necessary.
4. The Value of Cyber Threat Intelligence for SMBs
CTI offers numerous benefits for SMBs, including:
- Imminent attack indicators and short-term priorities
- Educating the board on the strategic outlook of the business and broader threat landscape
- Supporting risk reduction and increasing security operations efficiency
- Uncovering previously unknown threat events
5. Practical Use Cases of Cyber Threat Intelligence for SMBs
Some common use cases for leveraging CTI in SMBs include:
- More Effective Vulnerability Management: CTI helps SMB security teams identify critical vulnerabilities, such as those being actively exploited or included in exploit kits, allowing them to prioritize their efforts accordingly.
- Better Decision-Making: By providing insight into the types of threats an organization is likely to face, CTI enables IT and security leaders to make well-informed decisions about their security initiatives and investments.
- Faster Incident Response: Integrating CTI with existing security technologies enables SMB security teams to receive a manageable stream of alerts, devoid of time-wasting false positives, allowing them to identify potential threats and respond appropriately quickly.
- Rapid Breach Containment: CTI provides SMB security teams with the indicators of compromise (IOCs) necessary to spot potential breaches and helps them identify stolen records as soon as they appear for sale online, significantly reducing the time and cost of containment.
6. Overcoming the Challenges of Implementing Cyber Threat Intelligence
Implementing CTI can be daunting, especially for SMBs with limited resources. To overcome these challenges, consider focusing on one type of intelligence (strategic, tactical, or operational) and the goals you’re looking to achieve. Begin by crawling before you walk and then run, and consider outsourcing or partnering with threat intelligence providers to gain insights and expertise while mitigating costs. Jumping in at the deep end will likely only end in heartache, and you don’t necessarily need to spend hundreds of thousands or even millions of pounds to leverage intelligence within a small business.
7. Outsourcing vs. In-house Cyber Threat Intelligence: Pros and Cons
While building an in-house threat intelligence team may offer greater control and customisation, it can be resource-intensive and challenging for SMBs. Outsourcing threat intelligence to a provider like Perspective Intelligence allows organizations to access valuable insights and expertise without the overhead costs of building a full-time internal capability. When outsourcing, it is imperative that you establish what your intelligence requirements are and that you can action any intelligence that is generated.
8. Integrating Cyber Threat Intelligence with Existing Security Measures
Integrating CTI with your existing security measures, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and SIEMs, enhances your organization’s overall security posture by providing real-time, actionable insights into potential threats. This can commonly be achieved by using software that integrates with each other or by utilising a Security Orchestration, Automation and Response (SOAR) platform.
9. Key Components of an Effective Threat Intelligence Program
An effective threat intelligence program should include:
- A clear understanding of the organisation’s threat landscape (geographies, industry verticals, intellectual property, business interests and technologies used as an initial starting point)
- Well-defined goals and objectives
- Integration with existing security measures
- Continuous improvement and adaptability
10. Introducing Perspective Intelligence: Boutique Cyber Threat Intelligence Services
Perspective Intelligence specialises in providing boutique cyber threat intelligence services to businesses in the UK and across the globe. By offering a personalised approach, we help organisations navigate the complex world of CTI, ensuring they have the information and insights necessary to build robust cybersecurity defences that make sense for them, rather than providing generic reporting that isn’t tailored for the customer.
Conclusion
In a world where cyber threats are a constant concern for businesses of all sizes, threat intelligence has become an invaluable resource for SMBs looking to enhance their cybersecurity posture. By understanding the different levels of CTI, integrating it with existing security measures, and leveraging the expertise of boutique providers like Perspective Intelligence, SMBs can stay one step ahead of cybercriminals and protect their valuable digital assets.
About Perspective Intelligence
Perspective Intelligence is a United Kingdom-based cyber intelligence specialist. We offer services across attack surface, cyber threat and open-source intelligence in addition to intelligence training services both in-person and online.
About Aaron Roberts
Aaron Roberts is an intelligence professional specialising in Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) and Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT). He is focused on building intelligence-led cyber capabilities in businesses of all sizes and conducting online investigations and research. He has worked within the public and private sectors and the British Military. As such, he understands how intelligence can and should be utilised within all environments and the fundamental approach businesses must take to get the maximum value out of their cyber intelligence program.
Aaron founded Perspective Intelligence in 2020 as he identified several ways in which his experience could support and improve the underlying security posture of organisations across the UK and globally. Aaron delivers training on behalf of Perspective Intelligence and is the author of the book Cyber Threat Intelligence: The No-Nonsense Guide for CISOs and Security Managers.