What is a threat intelligence feed?

The knowledge delivered in threat intelligence feeds enables proactive cybersecurity strategies. Companies can identify current threats and implement security tools to safeguard their network assets and data.

Why are threat intelligence feeds important?

Threat intelligence feeds matter because the threat landscape is global, constantly changing, and increasingly complex. Intelligence insights help you understand how attackers operate. They also highlight network vulnerabilities that threat actors are likely to exploit.

This knowledge contributes to threat mitigation by implementing controls based on intelligence data. It accelerates incident responses by providing instant context for diagnosing threats. Intelligence feeds make it easier to assess cyber risks and rank them according to urgency.

Intelligence feeds also inform businesses if their security is already compromised. An example could be uncovering exposed customer data for sale on the dark web. Alerts about data sales or credential theft allow security teams to fix weaknesses and inform account holders promptly.

From a general perspective, threat intelligence feeds enhance security visibility and assist regulatory compliance. Companies that understand current threats are well-placed to strengthen security tools and avoid compliance penalties.

Content provided by threat intelligence feeds

Threat intelligence feeds vary in content, and companies should select a provider that matches their security context. Common intelligence feed components include:

• Indicators of Compromise (IoC): Data that confirms an ongoing or past attack. For example, criminals could sell user credentials via Telegram channels.
• Tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP): Information about the threat vectors used by active criminal collectives, including attack playbooks, durations, and goals.
• Threat signatures: Unique digital signatures associated with active malware agents. This information enables automated detection by Intrusion Detection Systems.
• Suspicious addresses: Includes IP addresses linked to known attack vectors and HTTP addresses of confirmed attack websites.

Types of threat intelligence feeds

There are two main types of threat intelligence feeds: paid third-party services and open-source alternatives.

Open-source intelligence feeds

Open-source resources are free to access. They generally consist of threat intelligence databases maintained by non-profit groups or voluntary collectives.

Databases tend to have a specific focus reflecting the interests of the volunteers who run them. For example, URLHaus catalogs and analyzes the URLs of suspected malicious websites. Subscribers can generate alerts and link the URLHaus database to security tools via a custom API, allowing flexible website screening.

Spamhaus plays a similar role in monitoring spam emails and phishers. MISP is a threat-sharing platform that identifies cyberattack taxonomies. FBI InfraGard also provides alerts about criminal activity and threats to network infrastructure.

Commercial threat intelligence feeds

Paid third-party feeds draw on private and open-source threat intelligence databases. They combine data collection and delivery with proprietary analytics. While open-source intelligence provides free access to threat data, paid services offer deep insights into how threats operate.

Paid services also aggregate threat data via centralized security tools. Customers can build streams around their unique requirements, schedule automated threat-hunting tasks, or automate alerts about phishing attacks, fake websites, and other emerging threats.

How do threat intelligence feeds gather data?

Assembling accurate and informative feeds is a challenging task. Security teams or intelligence specialists must filter out noise and implement safeguards to prevent false positives. They need to choose metrics that reflect security needs and leverage all relevant online sources.

1. Define the purposes of threat intelligence feeds

Threat intelligence feeds start with a clear statement of purpose. Security teams define what they want intelligence to achieve and the types of intelligence that contribute to this goal. This task requires awareness of relevant threats and a basic knowledge of the most likely threat vectors.

2. Select relevant threat intelligence data sources

Feed creators determine how to gather threat intelligence data, depending on the client's requirements. Feeds can draw on several sources (and combine many sources to cover every base). Common options include:

• Open source threat intelligence: Drawn from free-to-access databases maintained by members of collectives or voluntary organizations. Includes IoCs shared by cybersecurity researchers, malware analysis, and disclosures of known vulnerabilities (for example, CVE databases).
• Government sources: Includes law enforcement threat intelligence repositories, providing information about recent prosecutions and suspected criminal activities. Examples include the FBI's InfraGard service and the Europol Information System.
• Paid-for intelligence services: Provide real-time threat intelligence feeds drawn from private databases. Customized services such as NordStellar search for compromised credentials and evidence of upcoming attacks against client companies. Threat intelligence feeds may also serve specific economic sectors, such as industry or financial organizations. Advanced providers also include attribution analysis and malware reverse-engineering to analyze specific threats in-depth.
• Local intelligence: Network security tools generate threat data (for example, via SIEM logs, XDR alerts, firewall logs, or UEBA monitoring). For example, access portals may register many failed requests from a group of IP addresses.
• Sector-specific intelligence initiatives: Some industries offer cybersecurity information-sharing groups to coordinate threat detection. For instance, the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center serves finance companies worldwide.
• Security vendor feeds: Vendors of cybersecurity or infrastructure solutions may also provide threat intelligence feeds as part of their services (for example, Microsoft Threat Intelligence).

3. Data aggregation and collection

Intelligence specialists aggregate relevant data sources according to client needs. They establish automated data collection processes to leverage open-source, private, and publicly managed threat intelligence.

4. Converting and preparing threat data

Raw data is of limited use to security vendors or clients. Threat intelligence feeds take streams of data from several sources and convert them into a consistent, readable format. Conversion tools may need to decrypt protected files, translate text content, or assemble large metadata sets into useful databases or spreadsheets.

5. Threat evaluation and risk assessment

Threat intelligence feeds can deliver raw information directly to clients for internal assessment. However, specialist intelligence vendors also analyze feeds, validate information, and provide valuable security insights.

Insights transform data into practical advice based on the client's attack surface, helping security teams implement effective security measures.

For example, feeds might highlight Indicators of Compromise, such as discussions on dark web forums about the client's brand. Threat intelligence feeds provide tactical insights about emerging ransomware attacks. They might also focus on relevant application exploits.

Threat intelligence providers tend to deliver insights in concise reports. A typical package includes:

• Strategic reporting to executives and high-ranking IT officers.
• Operational reporting about attack techniques and the motivations of threat actors.
• Tactical reporting about IoCs and urgent vulnerabilities.

When these elements are combined, they provide a comprehensive roadmap for proactive threat management.

How to use threat intelligence feeds in cybersecurity

Detailed and accurate threat intelligence feeds are a critical element of robust network security. However, on their own their value is limited. Companies need to understand how to evaluate intelligence and put insights to work on their behalf.

Security teams should start by integrating intelligence feeds with centralized security tools. Feeds should reinforce access controls, Intrusion Detection and Response solutions, and firewalls. Applied correctly, threat intel makes it easier for security professionals to configure existing tools and counter new threats before attacks occur.

Evaluating intelligence data is critically important. Focus on data related to urgent cybersecurity risks, identify high-quality data sources, and avoid duplicated content or less reliable sources where possible. Don't assume that feeds are completely accurate or relevant. Security professionals must assess data before taking action in response.

Security teams can also enhance the power of threat intelligence feeds via automated alerts. This cuts the time between attacks and detection, giving companies more time to protect assets and neutralize threats.

It's also crucial to audit threat intelligence feeds. Do security officers use them effectively and exploit high-quality data sources? Which feeds have high detection rates, and which data sources are ineffective?

As with all security tools, companies should regularly assess intelligence feeds and ensure they contribute to cybersecurity goals.

Raise your cybersecurity IQ with threat intelligence feeds

In cybersecurity, knowledge is power. Companies that use up-to-date threat intelligence are better prepared to counter active ransomware collectives, phishing attacks, and denial-of-service techniques.

NordLayer's Threat intelligence solutions make a critical contribution to cybersecurity goals. When attacks occur, security teams are ready to detect and assess threats. They know who they are dealing with, what they want, and how to respond. Intelligence also suggests ways to strengthen network security, making incident responses unnecessary.