Information that assists in defending systems and data against cyber threats is called threat intelligence. It entails gathering information from malware research, threat actors, and dark web monitoring.
Threat intelligence from organizations like Otorio is essential to protect operational technology security. Awareness of new threats is crucial as more OT systems, such as industrial control systems and manufacturing equipment, are linked to networks and the Internet.
Introducing Threat Intelligence
Data about new viruses, threat actors, and other hostile actors that threaten cyber security are gathered and analyzed as part of threat intelligence. It aids businesses in comprehending unknown risks and developing countermeasures.
Modern Threat Intelligence comprises various elements, such as the following:
Darkweb Monitoring
Surveillance of underground forums and markets identifies novel threats directed toward infrastructure and industrial systems. This offers early detection of malware, credentials theft, and coordinated attacks.
Threat Actor Groups
Keeping an eye on criminal groups and hacktivist collectives on social media or protected networks can reveal future targets and strategies. Their actions can occasionally portend a physical disturbance.
Vulnerability Disclosures
By learning about recently discovered hardware or software flaws in OT/ICS equipment from resources such as ICS-CERT, systems can be updated before threats can exploit them.
Continuous Onsite Monitoring
Cyber security monitoring complements threat intelligence for OT systems because it offers continuous visibility into networks and assets. Unauthorized access, unusual activity, and intrusions are all detectable by monitoring tools and may be signs of an impending attack. By revealing flaws like open ports, outdated patches, and configuration problems, they also aid in identifying vulnerabilities.
Any problems or incidents discovered during surveillance are essential sources of threat information. This ongoing monitoring closes the loop by assisting security teams in fine-tuning defenses based on real-time network telemetry and security event data.
The Life Cycle of Threat Intelligence
The Threat Intelligence Lifecycle aims to continuously collect, evaluate, and apply threat data to gradually strengthen security defenses.
The primary phases are:
Gathering information
Keeping a close eye out for fresh information from sources such as security reports, hacking forums, and the dark web.
Data Analysis
Examining the gathered information to comprehend newly developing TTPs, recognize threat actors, and ascertain possible targets.
Production
Combining intelligence analysis into formats that can be consumed, such as reports, metrics, and other actionable forms.
Integration
Strengthening defenses by supplying intelligence about threats to security tools such as firewalls, IDS/IPS systems, security information, and event platforms.
Remediation
Taking action to reduce risks identified by intelligence, including patching security holes, obstructing rogue IP addresses and domains, and upgrading detection signatures.
This lifecycle approach assists OT security teams in timely and continuous insight gathering to remain ahead of shifting cyber threats that target infrastructure and industrial systems.
Why is This essential in OT environments?
Compared to IT networks, OT environments have historically gotten less attention regarding cybersecurity. However, OT systems are more vulnerable to cyberattacks due to increased network and internet connectivity. Due to the development of OT networking, a new security posture has emerged, requiring these operations to be shielded from malware and remote exploit attacks.
OT security benefits greatly from threat intelligence because these networks perform vital functions. Threat intelligence offers profound insights into the changing risk landscape by examining newly found weaknesses and the most recent techniques employed by threat actors.
With the help of these insights, OT security solutions can concentrate on the most severe threats and avoid potentially disruptive network segmentation and needless patching. Threat intelligence also assists OT organizations in strengthening security economically by helping to prioritize response efforts based on the threat level.
Conclusion
The significance of using threat intelligence-based security solutions to protect operational technology (OT) systems cannot be overstated. Defending OT networks against the expanding cybersecurity ecosystem is essential, as they are becoming increasingly interconnected with other systems and the physical processes they oversee.
Threat intelligence offers essential information about the most recent assaults and security holes directed toward OT environments.
With this information, security solutions can protect OT assets more successfully and prevent needless expenses and operations disruptions. OT security solutions must provide robust, reasonably priced, and inconspicuous protection to regular operations to benefit organizations the most.
