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  • Top 7 Must-Have Cyber Threat Intelligence Tools

    “Cyber Security is much more than the matter of IT” – Stephane Nappo

    With the increased internet usage, a large amount of personal and professional information and data is available online which is continuously under the threat of exposure. In the USA alone over 53 million individuals were affected due to data compromise in the first half of 2022.

    Source: Statista.com
    Source: Statista.com

    This threat has grown several folds with cyber crimes becoming incredibly sophisticated and the entire world shifting online, especially since 2020 amid the uncertainty and disruption of the global pandemic. As per a survey conducted by Statista, the average cost of data breaches worldwide from March 2020 to March 2022, combined in different sectors, is more than 150 million US dollars.

    Under these circumstances, cyber threat intelligence becomes an extremely valuable tool to protect, detect and respond to any cyber threat your data might be exposed to.

    In this blog, we will discuss in detail cyber threat intelligence and tools that can help you in protecting your data.

    What is Cyber Threat Intelligence?
    Cyber threat intelligence is the collection, processing, and analysis of data to discern the motive and behavior of a potential cyber attack and to help us make informed decisions and implement proactive security procedures. The cyber threat intelligence tools are designed to help us with the process.

    Threat intelligence is a cyclic, continuous process that is typically completed in 6 steps:

    1. Set goals and plan the direction
    2. Collection of data
    3. Processing of data
    4. Analysis of data
    5. Dissemination of data
    6. Report findings

    There are four types of cyber threat intelligence viz. strategic, tactical, technical, and organizational. Each one of these is meant for different users and describes the threat and its details in various depths as per the knowledge and requirement of the concerned user.

    Cyber Threat Intelligence Explained

    What Are Cyber Threat Intelligence Tools?

    Attackers today have learned and developed thousands of ways to breach data and wreak havoc. Also, with advanced technology and software involved, threats have grown more complex and crimes more sophisticated. Therefore, effective and timely detection of threats and strongly powerful retaliation are extremely important for protecting your data.

    Cyber threat intelligence tools are developed and designed to counter these issues. They provide up-to-date information about the latest threats such as malware, exploits, etc. These tools also provide information about the tactic, technology, and procedure (TTP) involved in a particular threat and suggest the best methods for protection against it. Further, these tools are capable of analyzing any potential or specific threat detected on a particular network.

    These tools are capable of managing the risk as well as enhancing your cyber security through artificial intelligence or machine learning. They give an organization the ability to plan preventive measures, detect threats, and resolve security issues.

    Key Features Your Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool Must Have

    As per a survey by Statista, the most useful type of cyber intelligence tool, as per the users, is the one that provides detailed information about the malware being used in the attack.

    Source: Statista.com
    Source: Statista.com

    Although the basic function of most cyber threat intelligence tools remains the same, there are certain key features that you must look for while choosing your CTI.

    Flexibility

    Any cyber threat intelligence tool that you choose must fit in with your already existing security mechanisms including Firewalls and SIEM (Security Information and Event Management).

    A threat intelligence tool processes data from various sources and provides risk scores. Therefore, it cannot act as a standalone tool. Combining it with other security systems enables prioritization, and proactive alerting, as well as adds circumstantial data for alerts that ease the investigation.

    Moreover, this flexibility of function would also let the tool collect accurate data from the dark web and other sources.

    Comprehensible

    A single-window dashboard simplifies the entire process of threat detection and remediation. Being comprehensive the tool collects information from every possible source and displays it together which also accelerates the decision-making process.

    Multiple Source Information

    To exactly analyze an organization’s position in terms of cyber security the tool must be able to extract information from as many sources as possible. Through this real-time indicators can be discovered that can help in forming accurate correlations.

    Alert Quality

    Several security alerts are often ignored owing to a large number of false positives. This causes alert fatigue amongst the security team who are unable to decipher the actual high-priority issues.

    A good threat intelligence tool should be able to prioritize and categorize the actual security alerts, which is only possible when it can correlate the data in the alert with the already available database. This would ensure that the important notifications do receive a response from the security team.

    Proactive Intelligence

    To manage and control security issues a cyber threat intelligence tool must be proactive. This means that the tool should be able to identify the threat and vulnerabilities before the commencement of the actual attack.

    A tool integrated with automated response processes helps in early detection and effective response to the threat.

    Top 7 Cyber Threat Intelligence Tools

    The right threat intelligence tool would help point out the potential issues and nip the problem in the bud. Based on the requirements of users as well as the opinions of the experts we have made a list of the top 7 cyber threat intelligence tools that will secure your system from cyber threats.

    Fortinet’s FortiRecon
    Recorded Future
    Cisco Security Malware Analytics
    Echosec
    IntSights External Threat Protection(ETP) Suite
    ThreatConnect
    ZeroFOX

    Fortinet’s FortiRecon

    Website Fortinet.com
    Rating 4.7
    Demo Provided Yes
    Used For External attack surface monitoring
    Fortinet's Fortirecon - Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool
    Fortinet’s Fortirecon – Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool

    As per Statista, Fortinet led the global threat intelligence software industry in 2022 with almost 39% of the total market share.

    Experts label Fortinet’s FortiRecon as one of the best cyber threat intelligence tools. It is a Digital Risk Protection Service product. Other than its outside-the-network view of the risk, it can also mitigate three additional risk areas viz. Digital assets risk, brand-related risks, and underground & imminent threats. It uses automation, machine learning as well as human intelligence to analyze the brand risk for an organization and deliver proactive custom intel.

    Key Features:

    • External Attack Surface Management
    • Adversary Central Intelligence
    • Extensive asset and exposure discovery
    • Comprehensive reporting

    Pros:

    • Easy to use
    • Contextualized threat insights
    • Early-stage lifecycle protection
    • Far-reaching threat sources
    • Comprehensive report

    Cons:

    • Not suitable for any non-MS domain device
    • Logging services do not include many details

    Pricing:

    Contact the vendor to get the quotes for Fortinet’s Fortirecon threat intelligence license.

    Recorded Future

    Website Recordedfuture.com
    Rating 4.6
    Demo Provided Yes
    Used For Providing coverage against adversaries, infrastructure, and targets
    Recorded Future - Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool
    Recorded Future – Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool

    It is headquartered in Boston cyber security platform. Recorded Future is widely recognized for its predictive or proactive cyber threat intelligence. It gives you real-time visibility into the vast digital ecosystem and automates the entire process of collection, analysis, and reporting. It provides coverage against adversaries, infrastructure, and targets.

    Key Features:

    • Manages risk landscape through a single-platform approach
    • Advance filters to narrow down your search
    • Powerful integration ability connects with both SIEM and SOAR providers
    • Graphical representation of worldwide threat data

    Pros:

    • A wide variety of threat intelligence is covered
    • Direct source evidence for effective decision making
    • Easy navigation owing to modular design
    • 10+ years of reference data updated regularly

    Cons:

    • Overwhelming search results
    • Comparatively expensive, starts at USD 10,000 for AWS

    Pricing:

    Contact Recorded Future to obtain the current pricing of the license.

    Cisco Security Malware Analytics

    Website Cisco.com
    Rating 4.4
    Demo Provided No
    Used For Providing contextual analytics for malware and threats
    Cisco Security Malware Analytics - Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool
    Cisco Security Malware Analytics – Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool

    Earlier recognized by the name threat grid, it is a cloud-based unified security solution. It generates alerts for malware activities and helps analyze the threat levels to draw strategies for tackling them. It provides end-to-end visibility and protection by leveraging threat intelligence.

    Key Features:

    • Contextual analytics for malware and threats
    • Huge malware knowledge base
    • Uses behavioral indicators to predict and prioritize attacks
    • Automation and integration abilities through APIs

    Pros:

    • Easy integration without reprogramming
    • Cross-product security data from Cisco and third-party sources
    • Thorough analysis and comprehensive reporting of threat
    • Automated sample upload through API integration

    Cons:

    • Frequent delays in the alert mechanism
    • Strenuous on-premise appliance setup

    Pricing:

    Contact the vendor to get the quotes for Cisco Security Malware Analytics license.

    Echosec

    Website Flashpoint.io/platform/echosec
    Rating 4.9
    Demo Provided 10 days free trial
    Used For Social media and open source intelligence (OSINT) gathering.
    Echosec - Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool
    Echosec – Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool

    It is a Canada-based company that specializes in Open Source Intelligence Tools (OSINT). Its flagship platform leverages data from social media, the dark web, as well as open community platforms. It collects real-time risk information and allows you to perform ad hoc dark web searches alongside internal threat monitoring.

    Key Features:

    • Pre-built data search filters with 24X7 monitoring.
    • An externally focused tool that connects with global security feeds, illicit forums, etc.
    • Directly feeds information to the co-security tools
    • Collects data from 18 social media platforms, news portals, and blogs

    Pros:

    • Simple and easy-to-use investigative tool
    • Makes investigation easy and provides actionable results quickly
    • Extraordinarily intuitive GUI

    Cons:

    • For any OSINT newbie, the learning curve can be steep
    • Occasional random results require human verification

    Pricing:

    Pricing information for Echosec is supplied by the software provider. Final cost negotiations to purchase Echosec must be conducted with the seller.

    IntSights External Threat Protection(ETP) Suite

    Website Intsights.com
    Rating 3.5
    Demo Provided Yes
    Used For Monitoring phishing attacks, malicious domains, and data breaches
    IntSights External Threat Protection - Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool
    IntSights External Threat Protection – Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool

    It is a 360-degree tool for cyber security that provides rich, real-time, actionable insights within 24 hours. It delivers enterprise-grade external, contextualized, and prioritized threat intelligence. It can be used either as separate modules for external intelligence, risk analysis, and threat investigation or as an end-to-end cyber threat intelligence tool.

    Key Features:

    • It collects data from the dark web, provides external threat feeds, and conducts custom research.
    • Well-built analytical report and automatic risk mitigation
    • Critical vulnerability patching
    • Comes with use-case-specific solutions or APIs for extensible integration capability.

    Pros:

    • Supports all major languages including Japanese, Portuguese, German, French, and others.
    • Focuses on external channels such as social media, black markets, etc.
    • Extremely flexible, adaptable, and comprehensive tool

    Cons:

    • Weak alerting mechanism
    • Steep learning curve

    Pricing:

    Pricing information for IntSights External Threat Protection is supplied by the software provider. Final cost negotiations to purchase IntSights External Threat Protection must be conducted with the seller.

    ThreatConnect

    Website Threatconnect.com
    Rating 4.5
    Demo Provided Yes
    Used For Dealing in threat intelligence, risk quantification, and intelligence-powered security operations
    ThreatConnect - Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool
    ThreatConnect – Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool

    It is a Romania-based company that deals in threat intelligence, risk quantification, and intelligence-powered security operations. It strengthens security and defense by breaking down complex data into actionable information. The information and data collected can be analyzed manually or with automation assistance.

    Key Features:

    • Uses Playbooks which are an intelligence-driven orchestration feature
    • Extensible integration and automation for all cybersecurity features
    • Intuitive dashboard with prioritized risks on the face of it
    • Show threat prevalence through crowdsourcing analytics

    Pros:

    • A powerful data model that establishes links between incidents, threats, and IOCs.
    • Proactive detection through the combination of orchestration and automation.
    • Updated information on the latest cyber threats and malware

    Intro to ThreatConnect

    Cons:

    • One of the most expensive threat intelligence tools
    • Not flexible enough to suit user requirements

    Pricing:

    Pricing information for ThreatConnect is supplied by the software provider. Final cost negotiations to purchase ThreatConnect must be conducted with the seller.

    ZeroFOX

    Website Zerofox.com
    Rating 4.3
    DemoProvided Yes
    Used For Monitoring the web for data leakage and ransomware
    Zerofox - Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool
    Zerofox – Cyber Threat Intelligence Tool

    It is a US-based company that provides cyber intelligence solutions. It safeguards an organization against online threats such as phishing, data leakage, impersonation, and others. It monitors the web for data leakage and ransomware and brings relevant data to the attention of the user.

    Key Features:

    • It is equipped with the latest AI, ML, and OCR technologies
    • Combines artificial intelligence with human intelligence to review and prioritize threats
    • Solely designed for external threat protection
    • Visual indicators on the dashboard offer absolute visibility

    Pros:

    • Hacker elimination through adversary disruption and takedown as a service
    • Huge integration library covering all popular IT tools
    • Streamlined workflow with a straightforward setup process

    Cons:

    • Overwhelming subdomain alerts
    • Generates a large number of false positives

    Pricing:

    Contact ZeroFOX to know about the price of the license.

    Conclusion

    Cyber threat intelligence tools play a crucial role in the growth of any business by protecting it from the commonest and biggest of threats. They identify, predict, alert, and manage cyber attacks. Also, with the number of cyber-attacks rising every year to a great degree and the world shifting online there is no alternative to these tools. However, with a large number of options available in the market, making a final choice can be hard.

    In this article, we shared with you the 7 best cyber threat intelligence tools to make your search convenient. Hope we could help.

    FAQs

    What is Cyber Threat Intelligence?

    Cyber Threat Intelligence is the process of gathering and analyzing information about cyber threats to protect an organization’s digital assets and infrastructure. It provides actionable intelligence to support cyber security strategies and enhance the ability to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber-attacks.

    What are the 3 types of cyber threats?

    • Malware
    • Phishing
    • DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) Attacks

    What are the benefits of Crime Threat Intelligence tools?

    The benefits of using Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) tools are:

    • Improved threat awareness and detection
    • Enhanced incident response
    • Increased efficiency and cost savings
    • Compliance with regulatory requirements

    What is the most common cyber threat?

    The most common type of cyber threat is malware, including viruses, trojans, and ransomware.

  • Cyber Attacks: India the Third Most Cyber-Attacked Nation

    The digital world has made our life easier and faster. Nowadays, anything is possible with just a click or a touch. It wouldn’t be wrong to say, that our life revolves around the internet. Every business, organisations, and companies are on the internet. However, with the increase in the use of the internet in the world, we have seen a drastic increase in cybercrime as well. Many organisations and faced cyber-attacks on them.

    Firstly we need to understand what a cyber-attack is. A cyber-attack can be defined as a malicious activity or planned attempt by any organization or an individual to steal or corrupt the information of the system of another organization or individual. Cybercriminals or hackers generally use various methods to attack the system; some of them are malware, ransomware, phishing, denial of service, and other methods. In this article, we will talk everything about India being the third most cyber-attacked nation and what steps the Government has taken. So, let’s take a look at them.

    Types of Cyber Attacks
    Reasons Behind Cyber Attacks
    Biggest Cyber Attacks in India
    Steps Taken by Indian Government

    Types of Cyber Attacks

    Cyber attacks are done in many forms by criminals and hackers and some of them are defined below:

    Malware

    Malware can be known as malicious software, which includes spyware, viruses, worms, and ransomware. Malware violates laws and launches a network through a vulnerability, generally happens when a person clicks on a minacious link or email attachment that then installs the risky software into your system without your permission. Once this software attacks your system, the malicious software can manage to do things such as install some more malicious and additional harmful software, can obtain and spy on all the information present on the hard disk, can disrupt some components of the system, and can block your access to manage some important components of a computer network.

    Phishing

    It is a cyber-crime in which a target receives an Email, telephonic call, or a text SMS by someone who pretends to be a lawful organization or institute to lure the targets into providing essential data and sensitive information such as banking details, credit cards, and debit card details, personal information, and various account passwords. Then these details are used by the attacker to access the information-which can further result in financial loss, cyberbullying, cyber blackmailing, and identity theft.

    Man-In-The-Middle Attack

    This cyber-attack is also known as eavesdropping, takes place when attackers insert themselves in between transactions of two-party. Once the attacker interrupts the traffic, they can rectify and steal information. On less secure public Wi-Fi, attackers can indulge themselves between a visitor device and the network through the same Wi-Fi connection. Without having an idea, the user passes all information through the attacker- after the malware reaches inside the device, the attacker can install malicious software to steal all of the victim’s data.

    Denial-Of-Service Attack

    DoS is a cyber-attack that is meant to shut down a server, network, and machine by making them inaccessible to the right users. DoS floods the target with traffic, or it just sends irrelevant information that triggers a crash of the server or network.  Sometimes attackers can also use multiple compromised devices to attack. This is known as Denial-of-service (DoS).

    SQL Injection

    Structured Query Language Injection is a cyber-attack that takes place when the attackers insert the malicious coding inside the server that takes over the SQL and forces the system server to disclose the crucial information and data. SQL Injection destroys the database, and the attacker can modify or delete the data stored in the database, causing persistent changes to the application behavior or content.

    DNS Tunneling

    It is the most damaging DNS attack. Domain Name Systems turns into a hacking weapon. DNS tunneling is a cyber-attack where the hacker or attacker encodes the information of other protocols or programs in DNS queries and responses. DNS tunnelling generally holds data payloads-which can be added to an attacked DNS server and is used to control applications and remote servers.

    Reasons Behind Cyber Attacks

    There are several reasons why these cyber attacks take place and they are:

    • To gain business financial details.
    • To gain customer financial information (for example- Bank details).
    • To gain product design or trade secrets.
    • To gain login credentials and email addresses of various customers or staff.
    • To gain or steal sensitive personal information.
    • To make a social or political point.
    • To destroy a business competitor.
    • For financial gains.
    • Cyber-warfare: It is a war caused by the Internet to leak information.

    Biggest Cyber Attacks in India

    SIM Swap Scam

    In Mumbai, two hackers were arrested for transferring almost 4 crore rupees from various bank accounts in August 2018. They illegally transferred money from the bank accounts of numerous individuals just by gaining SIM card information. Both the hackers blocked individual SIM cards, and with the support of fake documentation, they pulled out transactions with the help of online banking. Various company accounts were also on the target.

    Hacking of Indian Healthcare Websites

    In 2019, Health Care websites became the target of cyber-attack. As confirmed by US-based cybersecurity firms, hackers broke in and invaded a leading India-based healthcare website. The hackers were able to steal the information of about 68 lakh patients as well as doctors.

    Hacking of UIDAI Aadhaar Software

    In 2018, around 1.1 billion Aadhaar cardholders’ personal information was breached. According to data by UIDAI, more than 210 websites leaked the essential Aadhar details online. Data leaked included Aadhaar, mobile numbers, PAN, bank account numbers, IFSC codes, and mostly all the personal data of all individual Aadhaar cardholders. If it was not quite shocking, some anonymous hacker was selling the Aadhaar information of individuals for 500 rupees through WhatsApp.

    ATM System Hacked

    In 2018, cyber attackers targeted the ATM servers of Canara Bank. Almost around 20 lakh rupees were stolen from various accounts of Canara Bank account holders. There were around 50 targets estimated according to information provided by the source. The cyber attackers were able to steal the ATM details of around more than 300 account holders. Hackers were using skimmed devices to wipe out the information from debit cardholders. The transactions made by hackers from various accounts amounted from 10,000 rupees to a maximum amount of 40,000 rupees.

    Cosmos Bank Cyber Attack in Pune

    Attacked by hackers in the year 2018. The cyber-attackers pulled off almost 94.42 crore rupees from Cosmos Cooperative Bank, which shook the entire banking sector of India. Hackers were able to steal huge amounts by hacking the ATM server of the Bank and gathering the information of debit cardholders and visa details. Hackers from around 28 countries immediately withdrew all the money as soon as they were informed.

    Global Weekly Cyber Attacks per Organisation
    Global Weekly Cyber Attacks per Organisation

    Steps Taken by Indian Government

    To counter these attacks, the Government of India has taken a few steps to secure companies and organisation from being victim.

    Personal Data Protection Bill

    The bill implies the processing and storage of any critical data related to individuals living only in India. It majorly states that the sensitive and essential personal information of the individual should be stored locally; however, it can only be processed abroad under some terms and conditions. The bill also focuses on making social media companies more accountable and urging them to solve issues related to the spread of irrelevant and offensive content on the internet.

    Website Audit

    Surrounded by the rising number of government website hacking, data theft, email phishing, and privacy breach cases in India, the Indian government has taken initiatives to conduct an audit on all of the websites and applications of the government. Under this initiative by the Indian government, around 90 security auditing organizations have been enlisted by the government for auditing the best practices of information security of the Indian government data.

    CERT-In

    The advancing Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), which is responsible for operating the national agency for handling cybersecurity, has helped in decreasing the rate of cyber-attacks on government networks and servers in India. The implementation of cybersecurity awareness and anti-phishing training across Indian government organizations and agencies has assisted employees working in technological department of government sectors in fighting cybercrimes. Apart from spreading awareness of the hazard caused by phishing attacks to the public, CERT-In has issued advisories and alerts regarding the latest cyber countermeasures and vulnerabilities to counter and tackle them.

    Cyber Surakshit Bharat

    India aims to strengthen the cybersecurity ecosystem in coordination with the government’s vision for making Digital India. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has come up with the Cyber Surakshit Bharat movement. This program is in association with the National e-Governance Division of India. Indian governance system has transformed digitalization rapidly; therefore, the requirement of good governance is important. With such an initiative by the government, there would be an increase in awareness against cybercrime and building the capacity for securing the CISOs and the frontline IT staff across all government organizations in India. Apart from just awareness, the first public-private partnership also includes a series of some workshops to make government employees fight against cybercrimes and help professionals with cyber security health tool kits to take down cyber threats.

    Conclusion

    Cyber-attacks have now become a weapon to launch attacks on different organisations. Mainly they are done to attain secrets of organisations or Governments. Unfortunately, because of this India has become prone to cyber-attack and in 2020, it recorded 1.16 million breaches alone. Some steps have been taken to counter these attacks, however more and more strong cyber security is needed.

    FAQs

    Which countries get cyber attacked the most?

    Top 3 countries that cyber attacked the most are:

    • Japan
    • Australia
    • India

    What do you mean by Cyber Attacks?

    A cyber-attack can be defined as a malicious activity or planned attempt by any organization or an individual to steal or corrupt the information of the system of another organization or individual.

    Which country is the best for cybersecurity?

    Sweden has suffered the lowest rate of malware infection. It is considered as one of the best country with cybersecurity.