Cyber threat looms large over businesses as they navigate contemporary business practices which almost always rely on fully secured web security frameworks. Cyber criminals majorly go unnoticed as the global risk report of world economic forum reveals that rate of detection and prosecution of cyber fraudsters stands at a meager 0.05 percent. Cyber crime statistics from around the globe reaffirms the paramount importance of updated security apparatus and strategies to counter cyber attacks.
Cyber threat hunting is an operation and action undertaken by the web security experts to weed out the malicious elements, credential attacks, and threats lurking behind the veiled wall of the organization’s network system. The contemporary procedures mandates that threat hunting is performed after the cyber threat detection phase. In the detection phase an automated solution is employed to look for known threats. While threat detection constantly monitors network systems, threat hunting is an active operation solely to focus on cyber threats that were not identified earlier.
Advanced persistent threats(APT) are a type of threats that have penetrated the shield of a network’s automated threat hunting solutions. It has been reckoned by the experts that automated threat detection solutions only detect about 80 percent of the threats. Remaining 20 percent go unnoticed therefore in need of a great amount of diligence and dynamic strategies to identify them.
Threat Hunting Strategies That You Need in Your Kitty to Ward off Potential Threats –
Cyber threats loom large over the contemporary business ecosystem. Threat attackers are evolving sophisticated ways backed by artificial intelligence and machine learning to successfully breach the doors of cybersecurity protocol. Threat hunters need to be on their toes to successfully neutralize and eliminate the possible intruding events.
Wear the Boots of the Attacker –
None of the organizations have 100 percent proof security measures and cyber attackers and data breachers use sophisticated and advanced techniques to get around businesses’ cyber security solutions and mechanisms. A common strategy is to think like an attacker himself. This way you will discover new loopholes and will be in a position to anticipate the next actions of the attacker. Once the threat hunters acquaint themselves of the idea and mind of the attacker they can set up triggers that are fired as soon the attacker executes the move
Protecting the Endpoints –
Endpoint security is the methodology of information security that safeguards the company’s network by monitoring network devices and their activities, softwares and authentications. A security software is installed on the centrally managed gateway to ensure the end point security. Anti virus programs are ineffective against advanced persistent threats so businesses should always deploy endpoint protection solutions.
Intelligence Based Hunting –
This threat hunting technique is outlined to react according to input sources of intelligence. The threat intelligence tools are to be integrated with security information and event management(SIEM). The source of intelligence can be from computer emergency response teams(CERT) or information sharing and analysis centers(ISAC) which will let you export automated alerts about the new attack that had happened in other organizations.
Hypothesis Based Hunting –
Three types of hypothesis are tested in this technique :
- Intelligence driven: it includes internet discovered exploits, vulnerability scans, malware analysis, and intelligence reports and feeds.
- Analytics driven: It develops aggregate risk scores and formulates hypotheses by making use of machine learning.
- Awareness driven: The digital assets that are critical to the company are identified and enterprise risk assessments analysis in undertaken
Network Visibility –
While deploying threat hunting tools across all end points is the key, it is pertinent to have thorough understanding of activities and patterns of attack in your network environment. When you set up advanced endpoint tools together with third party risk management practices, you also need to consider tools like intrusion prevention systems, intrusion detection systems, web filters, firewalls, netflow, and data loss prevention systems(DLPS). By employing these tools you will be able to collect valuable intelligence about unusual traffic patterns and can verify attacks.
Third Party Risk Assessment –
Third party vendors which have access to your data and key network architecture may well have compromised security apparatus. Attackers can piggyback on vendors to make a successful intrusion in your system. Tools for managed third party risk are often ineffective against highly sophisticated techniques of attackers. It is advisable to undertake comprehensive analysis of third party risk management practices from time to time. Threat hunters should be well aware about all the third parties in the system’s network to have a wider view of the challenges against cyber defenses.
Strategy Using Indicators of Attack (IoA) –
The most dynamic threat hunting and cyber security strategy is investigation using Indicators of Attack(IoA). The task is to identify the malware attacks and APT groups by capitalizing on the global detection systems and procedures. The technique is perfectly in alignment with all the threat frameworks. The threat hunter then assesses the environment and domain to create a hypothesis that aligns with the threat framework. The ultimate goal is to locate, identify, and then isolate the threat to prevent its further spread.
Conclusion –
Advanced persistent tools evade the automated security apparatus therefore the services of the professional threat hunter and tested strategies are even more vital in today’s fast changing landscape of the web. Lastly it is the cat and mouse game between the threat hunter and attacker, both of whom use their knowledge and expertise in outmaneuvering each other. The one who plays with a strategy and can anticipate the adversary’s next move may well win the game.
Author Bio –
Nagaraj Kuppuswamy is the Co-founder and CEO of Beaconer, an esteemed enterprise specializing in managed third-party risk using the cloud-native AI-based solution. With an extensive portfolio of accolades and industry certifications, Nagaraj stands out as a seasoned expert, boasting over 16 years of dedicated involvement in Cybersecurity. Throughout their career, he has predominantly focused on elevating third-party risk assessment.
