What are the most reliable sources of threat intelligence?

Reliable sources of threat intelligence include government agencies like the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), commercial threat intelligence providers such as FireEye, industry-specific groups like the Financial Services ISAC (FS-ISAC), open-source feeds like Open Threat Exchange (OTX), and security blogs from experts like Brian Krebs. For instance, if you're a financial institution, you can turn to FS-ISAC for sector-specific threat information, while FireEye can offer comprehensive threat data and analysis across various industries. Combining these sources ensures a well-rounded understanding of cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities.

Reliable sources come from a variety of places. The IT team, leadership, and staff all throughout the hierarchy of an organization must approach cybersecurity as they go throughout the day. We know people are the weakest link. Preparing people for the response to a "data fire" helps us respond logically instead of emotionally, where we might make the wrong decision causing a data loss incident or event. I encourage businesses to practice cybersecurity as you would the practice of a "fire drill", "tornado" or a "flood". They all have the potential to be catastrophic, but the loss of data may be the harshest loss of all. Information and data are the lifeblood of our world. Let's up our cyber hygiene response!

The wealth of open-source intelligence is like an expansive ocean from which we extract pearls of actionable data. In my extensive cybersecurity tenure, OSINT has proven invaluable, serving as the bedrock for threat awareness. However, its utility hinges on discernment; each piece must be meticulously vetted, much like a gemologist appraising stones for authenticity. When woven into the broader tapestry of intelligence, OSINT provides not just context but the foresight to anticipate and parry threats in the ever-shifting cyber arena.

Ich glaube, es gibt nicht „die zuverlässigste“ Quelle. Es kann nur das Zusammenspiel von mehreren sein. Vielleicht sind es auch die, die keinen oder kaum Profit aus dem zur Verfügung stellen von Auswertungen schlagen. Mir hilft immer, wenn ich die Analyse der Information sowie den Beweis mitgeliefert bekomme. Was genau, wie genau, warum genau, wo genau. Und ein sog. Sahnehäubchen ist die Handlungsempfehlung, wie ich mich schützen kann. Die Reputation des Informierenden spielt auch eine wichtige Rolle inkl. der Nachvollziehbarkeit seiner Reputation.

Staying informed about emerging cyber threats and vulnerabilities is very crucial and keeps you ahead. 1. National and international government agencies: U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), United Kingdom's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC). 2. Commercial Threat Intelligence Providers collect, analyse, and deliver threat intelligence to subscribers, e.g. Recorded Future, FireEye, IBM X-Force, & CrowdStrike. 3. Open-source threat feeds- Open Threat Exchange (OTX) by AlienVault (now part of AT&T) 4. Security Research Organizations like Symantec, McAfee, and Trend Micro 5. Security Blogs and Forums, Cybersecurity Conferences & Events and Cybersecurity Communities.

Commercial intelligence vendors are akin to specialized scouts that navigate the cyber wilderness, offering distilled insights that might otherwise remain obscured. Their tailored reports are often the compass by which I’ve guided organizations toward proactive defenses. Yet, this service's efficacy is measured by its integration with your cybersecurity framework and the provider's reputation for accuracy and timeliness. The strategic choice of a commercial intelligence partner can be as critical as selecting an ally in chess—anticipating moves, revealing risks, and securing triumphs.

I will just say communities majorly. Open-source intellingence communities always help, the discussions, the rizz and the banter.

Closed-source intelligence (CSINT) stands as the clandestine whisper network of the cybersecurity realm. Its exclusivity provides an edge, yielding intelligence often untouched by public discourse. Leveraging CSINT requires a blend of discretion and strategic acumen; it’s akin to navigating a hidden archive where each insight must be carefully extracted and judiciously employed. In the arsenal of a seasoned cybersecurity practitioner, CSINT is a powerful, if sometimes elusive, blade—sharp and precise when wielded with skill.

In my professional experience, your data is always telling a story. The question is whether or not your organization is proactively listening to it or waiting for an incontrovertible failure before listening becomes prioritized. Even applying basic data forensics proves to be an indispensable form of internal intelligence because the findings are uniquely tailored to your organization, your product, your mission, and your customer.

While there is a choir of voices singing the praises of AI powered tools doing much of the heavy lifting in Cybersecurity and digital forensics, it's safe to say that the hype is currently outpacing the technology. That is, AI has proven imperative in identifying latent patterns in data, but it's effectively worthless without analysts or Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to interpret those patterns.

Human intelligence (HUMINT) is the seasoned detective of the threat intelligence world, offering nuanced interpretations that machines alone could never surmise. It is the human capacity for judgment and instinct that often pierces through the noise, unmasking the cyber adversary’s guile. As I have often found, fostering HUMINT within teams enhances not just data analysis but also engenders a culture where intuition and insight are valued as much as algorithms and code.

Ironically, my professional experience dictates there is endless discussion about exciting high tech attacks from shadowy hacker organizations and zero day exploits. However, the boring reality is most organizations are compromised by easily identifiable phishing attacks or obvious malware installations by non-technical staff. Regular organization-wide trainings and security audits often go a lot further than most leadership realizes.

In the realm of threat intelligence, one must not overlook the synergistic power of combining various intelligence sources. The confluence of OSINT, CSINT, commercial, internal, and HUMINT forms a confluence of insights, creating a multidimensional view of the threat landscape. It’s akin to assembling a mosaic where each tessera adds depth and clarity to the overall picture, offering a comprehensive vantage point to preemptively counter cyber threats.