Evaluating Threat Intelligence Platforms: Key Features to Consider

1. How is Data Collection and Aggregation Sourced and Handled by the Platform?

Threat intelligence platforms are useful in their ability to draw and aggregate data from a wide array of sources. Robust platforms will collect data from open-source intelligence, dark web monitoring, proprietary threat feeds, and other sources. 

The ideal threat intelligence platform will tap into diverse threat feeds, including government and private sector sources. This is because the more varied the data source, the more comprehensive the threat landscape coverage. 

Successful platforms also provide real-time or near-real-time data. Threat actors can infiltrate swiftly and so threat intelligence platforms must keep pace.

2. How does the Platform Handle Data Normalization and Correlation?

Raw data must be analysed properly to maximize its usefulness. Data normalization ensures that all incoming data is standardized, enabling analysts to dissect and correlate it. A good threat intelligence platform will automate the process of normalizing data and correlate it to identify patterns, emerging threats, and vulnerabilities.

The ability of a threat intelligence platform to cross-reference data from different sources is crucial. This feature helps identify correlations that might be missed if data streams are considered in isolation. 

The threat intelligence platform should certainly provide contextualization. Understanding the context behind threats, such as the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) associated with specific threat actors, is essential. 

3. Does the Threat Intelligence Platform Provide Actionable Intelligence?

Actionable intelligence is the core purpose of an effective threat intelligence platform. This means the platform should provide insights that are directly applicable to the organization, to strengthen its security posture.

The platform should help sort threats based on their relevance and potential impact on an organization. This prevents information overload and ensures that security teams focus on key issues.

It is also important to evaluate how the platform integrates with your existing security stack, such as Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, firewalls, and endpoint protection. Seamless integration allows for effective automated threat detection and response.

4. How Does the Platform Handle Threat Intelligence Sharing and Collaboration?

A winning threat intelligence platform is one that facilitates sharing and collaboration, in order to enhance the overall security posture of an organization. 

Threat intelligence platforms must support sharing intelligence with industry peers, Information Sharing and Analysis Centres, and government agencies. Collaborating can hasten the identification and mitigation of threats.

Yet, the platform must also control the information is gives out. The threat intelligence platform must ensure that it provides role-based access control features, allowing different levels of access based on the user's role within your organization.

5. Where Do Scalability and Flexibility Rank for the Threat Intelligence Platform?

A threat intelligence platform must adjust with the needs of the organization. The platform should be scalable to grow with the organization, and flexible enough to adapt to new threats and changing business environments.

Modular Architecture allows an organization to add or remove platform features as needed, ensuring that the company does not pay for functions that are not used, but that it also retains the ability to scale up as its needs evolve.

The ability to customize dashboards, reports, and alerts ensures that the platform meets the unique requirements of the organization. This flexibility can significantly improve the effectiveness of threat intelligence efforts.

6. Does the Platform Provide Ease of Use and Positive User Experience?

A threat intelligence platform should provide a good user experience. Complex interfaces can be difficult to navigate and can slow down threat intelligence analysis. The platform should be intuitive and user-friendly, allowing security teams to quickly access the information they need.

Support is also key. Vendors should provide a high level of training and support for the organization implementing the recommended threat intelligence platform. Even the most user-friendly platforms require onboarding, and ongoing support can be critical in addressing issues or adapting the platform to new challenges.

Threat intelligence platforms that leverage AI and machine learning to automate routine tasks, such as threat detection and alerting, can be particularly useful. Integrating these tools can reduce the burden on human security teams and improve the accuracy and speed of threat response.

7. Is the Threat Intelligence Platform Cost-Effective?

Finally, consider the cost of the platform relative to the value it provides. Before paying for an expensive platform, it is essential to assess whether its capabilities align with the organization’s specific needs. The platform must positively impact the overall security posture and provide a positive return on investment. A more expensive platform may be worth it if it significantly reduces the risk of a costly breach.

Companies must consider and anticipate not just the initial cost but also the ongoing costs related to maintenance, updates, and potential add-ons. 

Selecting the right threat intelligence platform is a critical decision that can greatly impact an organization’s ability to protect itself against cyber threats. By asking the right questions about key features such as data collection, collaboration, scalability, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness, organizations can make informed choices that align with their security goals. 

Want more insights? Contact a Rewterz expert to find the threat intelligence platform that is the best fit for your organization,