Cyber threat intelligence, short CTI, is a seven-step process that organizations use to effectively harness threat intelligence. CTI is all about gathering and analyzing data to help organizations stay one step ahead of cyber threats. There are several hurdles organizations face when trying to protect their data. These include a constantly changing threat landscape, an overwhelming number of security alerts, a complicated IT infrastructure, new regulations, and a shortage of cybersecurity skills. CTI can help overcome these challenges by centralizing security tools, integrating data sources, and providing context on threats.

Now, let's break down each stage of the CTI life cycle. The journey begins with planning and direction. This is where the CTI team's goals are defined, operations are planned, and target consumers are identified. Next, we move to data collection. Here, data is gathered from both internal and external sources to create a rich repository. The third stage is data processing. This is where frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK come into play to extract meaning from the data.

The fourth stage is where human intelligence takes the lead. The processed data is interpreted, with a careful eye to avoid biases. Techniques like playing devil's advocate and brainstorming are used to minimize bias. The fifth stage is all about sharing the intelligence with the relevant stakeholders in a format that suits them. The sixth stage involves asking for feedback to enhance future CTI cycles.

To better understand these concepts, let's look at some examples. Different frameworks like the Diamond Model can help link separate data points into meaningful threat narratives during the processing and analysis stages. Analysts need to be careful not to interpret evidence selectively to support their own theories.

In essence, CTI is not a one-time product but a continuous cycle. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration between CTI teams and business units. This comprehensive introduction to CTI should help you understand its role in proactively defending against cyber threats.