An Introduction to Threat-Hunting

June 22, 2023 By Joe Brinkley, OnDefend Resident Hacker
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Threat-hunting is a proactive method of identifying and mitigating potential cyber threats that may have circumvented traditional security measures. Its objective is to discover and resolve security issues before they pose any problems to an organization.

Why is Threat-Hunting Important?

Threat-hunting is an essential tool for identifying and mitigating potential security threats before they cause damage. It also helps improve an organization’s overall security posture.

Characteristics of an Effective Threat-Hunter

A good threat-hunter should possess the following characteristics:

  • Familiarity with the organization’s infrastructure and security processes
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Persistence and patience
  • Creativity
  • Knowledge of threat intelligence and the threat landscape

Threat-Hunting Process:

Preparation

  • Define what we are looking for
  • Identify what we need to protect
  • Identify potential threats
  • Develop a hypothesis

Detection

  • Use different tools to detect threats
  • Analyze logs and other data sources
  • Look for anything suspicious

Analysis

  • Review the data to determine what kind of threat being dealt with
  • Identify the source of the threat
  • Determine the extent of the damage

Response

  • Deal with the threat effectively
  • Implement measures to prevent similar threats in the future
  • Share findings with appropriate parties

Tools & Techniques for Threat-Hunting:

  • Endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools
  • Security information and event management (SIEM) systems
  • Network traffic analysis tools
  • Threat intelligence feeds

Challenges in Threat-Hunting:

  • Lack of personnel with the right skills
  • Complex and diverse IT environments
  • Difficulty in observing everything that is going on.
  • Large amounts of data to sift through.
  • Lack of actionable intelligence

Benefits of Threat-Hunting:

  • Faster detection and response to threats
  • Improved security posture
  • Reduced likelihood of data breaches
  • Greater awareness of the threat landscape
  • Enhanced team incident response capabilities

How BlindSPOT Can Help

BlindSPOT is OnDefend’s proprietary breach and adversarial simulation tool that can help teams improve their cybersecurity defenses. One of its greatest strengths is its ability to facilitate threat hunting, simulate malware, test EDR/AV, tune SIEM, and other security tools.

By using BlindSPOT, teams can gain a better understanding of their organization’s security posture, identify potential vulnerabilities, and develop effective countermeasures. BlindSPOT provides a safe and controlled environment for simulating real-world cyber threats, allowing teams to practice and refine their incident response capabilities.

Compound Capabilities

In addition to its simulation capabilities, BlindSPOT also provides detailed reports and analytics that can aid in identifying security weaknesses and measuring the effectiveness of security controls. This can help organizations prioritize their security efforts and allocate resources more effectively. BlindSPOT can also help organizations comply with industry regulations and standards. By simulating real-world cyber threats, organizations can identify potential weaknesses in their security infrastructure and address them proactively. This can help organizations meet compliance requirements and avoid costly fines or legal actions.

Other Benefits of BlindSPOT

Another benefit of using BlindSPOT is its ability to provide a collaborative learning environment. Teams can work together to identify and respond to simulated cyber threats, sharing knowledge and best practices along the way. This can help foster a culture of security within the organization and improve overall cybersecurity awareness.

With BlindSPOT, teams can also gain insights into the latest cyber threats and attack techniques. BlindSPOT’s threat library is constantly updated with the latest threat intelligence, ensuring that teams are prepared to defend against the most current and sophisticated attacks.

Why BlindSPOT

BlindSPOT is a tool that organizations can use to identify and address security detection weaknesses. It offers a range of features, including simulation, reporting, compliance, collaboration, and threat intelligence. With BlindSPOT, organizations can confidently defend against cyber threats and protect critical assets. Overall, BlindSPOT is an invaluable tool for improving cybersecurity defenses. Teams can use its powerful simulation and detailed reporting capabilities to develop effective cybersecurity strategies and safeguard their organizations.

About OnDefend

OnDefend, established in 2016, stands at the forefront of preventative cybersecurity testing and advisory services, a reputation further enhanced by the introduction of its advanced Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) Software as a Service (SaaS) platform, BlindSPOT. OnDefend is a trusted partner, empowering organizations globally to proactively combat real-world threats. From ensuring compliance with industry standards to building out mature security programs our mission is to ensure that the security resources our customers invest in are well-utilized, effective, and provide tangible results. For more information about their services and solutions, please visit OnDefend.com.

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