In a strategic move to bolster organizational cybersecurity, Kaspersky has expanded its Threat Intelligence Portal by introducing a new “Threat Landscape” section. This enhancement is designed to provide businesses with a tailored, real-time overview of the threats targeting their specific environments. By accessing the most comprehensive and current information regarding malicious actors, their techniques, tactics, and procedures (TTPs), organizations can better prepare for potential cyberattacks and develop robust cybersecurity strategies.
Understanding the Need for Enhanced Threat Intelligence
The evolution of cyber threats has been rapid and increasingly sophisticated, making it crucial for information security teams to prioritize and respond to threats effectively. According to the Enterprise Strategy Group’s report titled “SOC Modernization and the Role of XDR,” one in four companies identifies reacting to new cybersecurity threats “in the wild” as their primary operational goal. This statistic underscores the necessity of possessing up-to-date threat intelligence, enabling organizations to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers.
Kaspersky’s Threat Intelligence portfolio already encompasses a wide array of services, including Threat Analysis, Threat Lookup, Threat Data Feeds, Threat Intelligence Reporting, Digital Footprint Intelligence, and Threat Infrastructure Tracking. All of these services are accessible through a single point of entry—the Kaspersky Threat Intelligence Portal—facilitating interconnected security services that provide actionable insights for defending against cyber threats.
Key Features of the Threat Landscape Section
The newly introduced Threat Landscape section harnesses the MITRE ATT&CK framework to collect and analyze data about threats and attackers targeting specific industries and regions. This section provides organizations with a wealth of information, including:
- Geography: Understanding how threats vary across different regions.
- Industry: Tailored threat intelligence relevant to specific sectors.
- Platforms: Insights into the platforms most frequently targeted by cybercriminals.
- Actor Profiles: Detailed profiles of known threat actors.
- Software Profiles: Information on the malicious software associated with attacks.
- TTPs: Comprehensive details on techniques, tactics, and procedures employed by attackers.
- Mitigations: Recommendations for reducing risk.
- Detection Rules: Sigma and Suricata rules associated with each TTP.
- Indicators of Compromise (IoCs): Specific signs to help organizations detect intrusions.
By applying various filters, users can generate a unique threat landscape tailored to their specific environment. The portal also offers heat maps based on the MITRE ATT&CK framework, displaying up-to-date information about threat actors and their activities, along with detailed reports on attacks and recommendations for improving defenses.
Real-Time Data Collection and Analysis
Kaspersky’s Threat Intelligence Portal leverages expert systems developed over more than 25 years of cybersecurity research. These systems continuously process millions of files from a variety of sources, including the Kaspersky Security Network (KSN), web crawlers, bot farms, spam traps, honeypots, sensors, passive DNS, and both open and dark web sources. The data collected is analyzed using advanced technologies such as Kaspersky Sandbox and the Kaspersky Threat Attribution Engine.
This constant monitoring and research effort culminates in the industry’s most extensive repository of actor and software profiles, linked to malicious files and their TTPs. By providing organizations with detailed, up-to-date information about threats relevant to their operations, Kaspersky aims to empower businesses to proactively address potential vulnerabilities.
Expert Insights
“Our company possesses in-depth knowledge and extensive experience in the realm of cyberthreat research, and we are happy to share it with our customers. By understanding their own threat landscape, they will be able to take strategically informed steps to proactively protect all of their assets and IT infrastructure,” stated Anatoly Simonenko, Head of Technology Solutions Product Line at Kaspersky. He emphasized that the new feature will assist organizations in building effective cybersecurity strategies and identifying security gaps before they can be exploited by attackers.
Ten Essential Tips for Cybersecurity
To enhance organizational cybersecurity and minimize the risk of cyber threats, consider implementing the following best practices:
- Conduct Regular Risk Assessments: Evaluate your security posture and identify vulnerabilities.
- Utilize Threat Intelligence Services: Leverage platforms like Kaspersky’s to stay informed about emerging threats.
- Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Require multiple verification methods to access sensitive data.
- Educate Employees on Cyber Hygiene: Provide training on recognizing phishing attempts and safe browsing habits.
- Develop an Incident Response Plan: Ensure your team knows how to respond effectively to a security breach.
- Keep Software Updated: Regularly patch and update all systems to protect against known vulnerabilities.
- Backup Critical Data: Regularly back up important data to recover in case of a ransomware attack.
- Limit Access Privileges: Use the principle of least privilege (PoLP) to minimize access to sensitive information.
- Monitor Network Activity: Employ monitoring tools to detect unusual behavior and potential threats.
- Engage in Threat Hunting: Proactively search for signs of malicious activity within your network.
Conclusion
Kaspersky’s new Threat Landscape section in the Threat Intelligence Portal represents a significant advancement in cybersecurity intelligence, offering organizations a tailored approach to understanding and mitigating cyber threats. By leveraging real-time data and expert insights, businesses can enhance their cybersecurity strategies and protect against the evolving landscape of cybercrime. As organizations continue to face increasing threats, the importance of comprehensive and timely threat intelligence cannot be overstated.
