Adversaries

Understanding Cyber Threat Intelligence in Practice Cyber threat intelligence (CTI) is the practice of collecting, analyzing, and sharing information about attackers and their methods. For professionals, CTI turns raw data into actionable decisions. It helps security teams design safer networks, tune detections, and respond faster when threats appear. CTI comes in three levels. Strategic intelligence looks at overall trends, motives, and capabilities of threat groups. Operational intelligence tracks campaigns and tools used in recent attacks. Tactical or technical intelligence provides concrete indicators, such as IOCs and observed techniques, that defenders can use day to day. ...

Threat Intelligence Understanding Adversaries Threat intelligence helps security teams understand who might target their organization and why. It is more than warnings; it is context about motives, capabilities, and methods. With this information, teams can plan defenses that fit real threats and the pace of modern attacks. Who are the adversaries? Adversaries come in many forms. Opportunistic criminals seek quick profits. Organized crime groups cooperate across borders. Hacktivists act for a political or social goal. Insider threats come from current or former employees or contractors. State-sponsored actors pursue strategic aims. Each group uses different skills and tools, from phishing and credential harvesting to malware campaigns and supply-chain intrusions. Their motives shape the targets they choose and the speed of their actions. ...