100 Days Plan -Cyber Threat Intelligence Mastery Plan

1. About Cyber Threat Intelligence

Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) is the process of gathering, analyzing, and interpreting information about potential or current cyber threats. It helps organizations understand their threat landscape, anticipate attacks, and implement proactive defenses. CTI can be tactical, operational, or strategic, depending on the audience and purpose.

Key Areas of Focus:

• Threat Data Collection : Gathering indicators of compromise (IOCs), malware samples, and threat actor tactics.
• Threat Analysis : Analyzing data to identify patterns, trends, and adversary behaviors.
• Threat Sharing : Collaborating with industry peers and sharing intelligence via platforms like MISP and AlienVault OTX.
• Threat Modeling : Using frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK to map adversary tactics and techniques.
• Incident Response : Leveraging CTI to enhance detection and response capabilities.

Key Tools:

• Threat Intelligence Platforms (TIPs) : MISP, ThreatConnect, Anomali.
• Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) : Shodan, Censys, VirusTotal.
• Malware Analysis : Cuckoo Sandbox, Hybrid Analysis.
• Frameworks : MITRE ATT&CK, Cyber Kill Chain.

2. Why Learn Cyber Threat Intelligence?

• High Demand : Organizations need skilled CTI analysts to stay ahead of evolving threats.
• Career Growth : Lucrative salaries and opportunities in cybersecurity.
• Critical Skill : Essential for proactive threat detection and mitigation.
• Certifications : Gain industry-recognized certifications like GIAC CTIA (Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst) or CISSP.
• Real-World Impact : Help prevent breaches, protect sensitive data, and enhance organizational resilience.

3. Full Syllabus

Phase 1: Basics (Weeks 1–4)

1. Introduction to Cyber Threat Intelligence
   • What is Cyber Threat Intelligence?
   • Types of CTI: Strategic, Operational, Tactical.
   • Key Concepts: Indicators of Compromise (IOCs), Threat Actors, TTPs (Tactics, Techniques, Procedures).
2. Cybersecurity Fundamentals
   • Understanding Threats: Malware, Phishing, Ransomware.
   • Common Attack Vectors: Social Engineering, Exploits, Insider Threats.
   • Frameworks: Cyber Kill Chain, MITRE ATT&CK.
3. Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
   • Collecting Publicly Available Data: WHOIS, DNS, Social Media.
   • Tools: Shodan, Censys, Maltego, Google Dorking.
4. Data Collection & Aggregation
   • Sources of Threat Data: Logs, Firewalls, IDS/IPS, Threat Feeds.
   • Tools: Splunk, Elastic Stack, Threat Intelligence Platforms (TIPs).

Phase 2: Intermediate (Weeks 5–8)

5. Threat Intelligence Platforms (TIPs)
   • Introduction to Popular TIPs:
     • MISP: Open-source platform for sharing threat intelligence.
     • ThreatConnect: Commercial platform for threat analysis.
     • Anomali: Enterprise-grade threat intelligence.
   • Hands-On Practice: Set up and use a TIP.
6. Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)
   • Types of IOCs: IP Addresses, Domains, File Hashes, URLs.
   • Analyzing IOCs: Tools like VirusTotal, Hybrid Analysis.
   • IOC Management: Storing and correlating IOCs in a TIP.
7. Malware Analysis
   • Static Analysis: Examining code without execution.
   • Dynamic Analysis: Running malware in a sandbox.
   • Tools: Cuckoo Sandbox, Hybrid Analysis, VirusTotal.
8. Threat Modeling
   • Using MITRE ATT&CK Framework:
     • Mapping adversary tactics and techniques.
     • Identifying gaps in defenses.
   • Practical Exercises: Simulate adversary behavior using ATT&CK.

Phase 3: Advanced (Weeks 9–12)

9. Threat Actor Profiling
   • Understanding Threat Actors: Nation-State, Hacktivists, Cybercriminals.
   • Analyzing Adversary Behavior: Motives, Capabilities, Infrastructure.
   • Case Studies: Notable APT Groups (e.g., APT28, Lazarus Group).
10. Threat Hunting
    • Proactive Search for Threats in Networks and Systems.
    • Tools: SIEM (Splunk, QRadar), EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response).
    • Techniques: Hypothesis-Driven Hunting, Anomaly Detection.
11. Incident Response Integration
    • Leveraging CTI for Incident Response:
      • Enhancing Detection Rules.
      • Prioritizing Alerts Based on Threat Intelligence.
    • Tools: TheHive, Cortex XSOAR.
12. Threat Intelligence Sharing
    • Collaborating with Industry Peers:
      • ISACs (Information Sharing and Analysis Centers).
      • Threat Intelligence Communities: MISP, AlienVault OTX.
    • Legal and Ethical Considerations: GDPR, Privacy Laws.

Phase 4: Real-World Applications (Weeks 13–16)

13. Simulating Threat Intelligence Workflows
    • Conduct a full CTI workflow: Data Collection, Analysis, Reporting.
    • Tools: MISP, Splunk, MITRE ATT&CK Navigator.
14. Building a Threat Intelligence Program
    • Steps to Establish a CTI Program:
      • Define Objectives, Identify Stakeholders, Select Tools.
    • Examples: Create a threat dashboard for executives.
15. Automating CTI Tasks
    • Automating IOC Enrichment and Correlation:
      • Tools: Python Scripts, SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response).
    • Integrating CTI into Security Operations.
16. Capstone Project
    • Perform a comprehensive CTI analysis.
    • Examples: Analyze a recent cyberattack, profile a threat actor, or build a threat dashboard.

4. Projects to Do

Beginner Projects

1. Collect OSINT Data :
   • Use Shodan or Censys to gather information about exposed devices.
   • Analyze results for vulnerabilities.
2. Analyze IOCs :
   • Submit suspicious files or URLs to VirusTotal for analysis.
   • Document findings in a report.
3. Explore MITRE ATT&CK :
   • Map a simulated attack to the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
   • Identify adversary tactics and techniques.

Intermediate Projects

4. Set Up a Threat Intelligence Platform :
   • Install and configure MISP or ThreatConnect.
   • Import and analyze IOCs.
5. Simulate Threat Hunting :
   • Use Splunk or Elastic Stack to search for anomalies in logs.
   • Write detection rules based on MITRE ATT&CK.
6. Analyze Malware :
   • Analyze a malware sample in a sandbox environment.
   • Tools: Cuckoo Sandbox, Hybrid Analysis.

Advanced Projects

7. Profile a Threat Actor :
   • Research a known APT group (e.g., APT28, Lazarus Group).
   • Document their motives, infrastructure, and TTPs.
8. Integrate CTI into Incident Response :
   • Simulate an incident and leverage CTI for response.
   • Tools: TheHive, Cortex XSOAR.
9. Build a Threat Dashboard :
   • Create a dashboard to visualize threat intelligence data.
   • Tools: Splunk Dashboards, Kibana Visualizations.

5. Valid Links for Learning Cyber Threat Intelligence

English Resources

1. freeCodeCamp :
   • Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence Full Course .
2. MITRE ATT&CK :
   • MITRE ATT&CK Framework .
3. MISP Project :
   • MISP Tutorials .
4. YouTube Channels :
   • The Cyber Mentor .
   • David Bombal .
5. SANS Institute :
   • Threat Intelligence Webinars .

Hindi Resources

1. CodeWithHarry :
   • Cybersecurity Tutorial in Hindi .
2. Thapa Technical :
   • Threat Intelligence Beginner Tutorials .
3. Hitesh Choudhary :
   • Cybersecurity Crash Course .

6. Final Tips

1. Start Small : Begin with simple projects like collecting OSINT data to understand the basics of threat intelligence.
2. Practice Daily : Spend at least 1 hour exploring CTI tools and techniques every day.
3. Focus on Certifications : Pursue certifications like GIAC CTIA (Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst) or CISSP.
4. Stay Updated : Follow blogs like MITRE ATT&CK , Dark Reading , or Medium for the latest updates.
5. Join Communities : Engage with forums like Reddit’s r/threatintelligence or Discord groups for support.