1. Purpose
The purpose of this Threat Intelligence Policy is to establish requirements for the collection, analysis, evaluation, dissemination, and use of threat intelligence to support the organization’s cybersecurity, risk management, incident response, vulnerability management, and security monitoring activities.
Threat intelligence provides valuable information regarding emerging threats, threat actors, attack techniques, vulnerabilities, indicators of compromise, and cybersecurity trends. By leveraging relevant and actionable threat intelligence, the organization can improve its ability to identify risks, prevent attacks, detect malicious activity, respond to incidents, and strengthen its overall security posture.
This policy establishes a framework for integrating threat intelligence into the organization’s information security program.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
- All employees
- Contractors
- Consultants
- Temporary personnel
- Interns
- Third-party personnel responsible for information security activities
This policy primarily applies to personnel responsible for:
- Information security
- Security operations
- Risk management
- Incident response
- Vulnerability management
- Security monitoring
- Technology administration
This policy applies to all organizational systems, networks, applications, cloud environments, and information assets.
3. Policy Statement
The organization shall maintain a Threat Intelligence Program designed to collect, analyze, validate, share, and apply threat intelligence relevant to the organization’s business operations, technology environment, industry, and risk profile.
Threat intelligence activities shall support proactive and risk-based security decision-making and shall be integrated into relevant security processes and operational activities.
Threat intelligence shall be used to improve the organization’s ability to anticipate, detect, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity threats.
4. Objectives
The objectives of this policy are to:
- Improve awareness of emerging threats.
- Support proactive cybersecurity defenses.
- Enhance incident detection and response.
- Improve vulnerability prioritization.
- Support risk management activities.
- Strengthen security monitoring capabilities.
- Improve security decision-making.
- Reduce organizational exposure to cyber threats.
5. Definitions
Threat Intelligence
Evidence-based knowledge regarding threats, threat actors, vulnerabilities, attack methods, indicators, or other information that supports informed security decisions.
Threat Actor
An individual, group, organization, or entity capable of carrying out malicious activities against information systems or data.
Indicator of Compromise (IOC)
A piece of information suggesting that a system, network, or account may have been compromised.
Indicator of Attack (IOA)
Information that suggests malicious activity is occurring or about to occur.
Tactical Intelligence
Threat intelligence focused on specific indicators, tools, techniques, and procedures.
Operational Intelligence
Threat intelligence focused on active campaigns, attacks, and threat actor activities.
Strategic Intelligence
High-level intelligence used to support executive decision-making and risk management.
6. Roles and Responsibilities
Executive Management
Responsible for:
- Supporting threat intelligence activities.
- Providing resources for the Threat Intelligence Program.
- Reviewing significant threat intelligence findings when appropriate.
Information Security Team
Responsible for:
- Managing the Threat Intelligence Program.
- Collecting and analyzing threat intelligence.
- Validating intelligence sources.
- Disseminating actionable intelligence.
- Integrating intelligence into security operations.
- Reporting relevant findings.
Security Operations Personnel
Responsible for:
- Utilizing threat intelligence during monitoring activities.
- Updating detection capabilities.
- Investigating threat indicators.
- Supporting threat response activities.
Incident Response Personnel
Responsible for:
- Leveraging threat intelligence during investigations.
- Identifying relevant indicators and attack techniques.
- Sharing intelligence findings following incidents.
System Owners and Technology Teams
Responsible for:
- Supporting implementation of threat intelligence recommendations.
- Assisting with mitigation activities.
- Addressing identified risks where appropriate.
7. Threat Intelligence Program
The organization shall maintain a documented Threat Intelligence Program that includes:
- Threat intelligence collection
- Intelligence analysis
- Intelligence validation
- Intelligence dissemination
- Intelligence integration
- Threat monitoring
- Program review and improvement
The program shall support organizational security objectives and risk management activities.
8. Threat Intelligence Sources
Threat intelligence may be obtained from a variety of sources, including:
- Government advisories
- Industry information-sharing organizations
- Security vendors
- Managed security service providers
- Commercial intelligence providers
- Open-source intelligence sources
- Vulnerability databases
- Security research organizations
- Threat intelligence platforms
- Internal security investigations
Threat intelligence sources shall be evaluated for credibility, reliability, and relevance.
9. Intelligence Collection
Threat intelligence collection activities shall focus on information relevant to:
- Organizational systems
- Industry-specific threats
- Emerging vulnerabilities
- Threat actor activity
- Malware trends
- Cloud security threats
- Supply chain risks
- Regulatory concerns
Collection priorities shall align with organizational risk management objectives.
10. Intelligence Analysis
Collected threat intelligence shall be reviewed and analyzed to determine:
- Relevance
- Accuracy
- Reliability
- Severity
- Potential business impact
- Operational significance
Analysis shall focus on identifying actionable information that supports security decisions.
11. Threat Intelligence Classification
Threat intelligence may be categorized according to its intended use.
Strategic Intelligence
Used to support:
- Executive decision-making
- Security planning
- Budgeting
- Risk management
- Long-term security initiatives
Operational Intelligence
Used to support:
- Incident response
- Threat hunting
- Security operations
- Campaign tracking
Tactical Intelligence
Used to support:
- Detection engineering
- Security monitoring
- Alerting
- IOC management
- Security control updates
12. Intelligence Validation
Threat intelligence shall be validated before being used to drive significant security actions whenever practical.
Validation activities may include:
- Source verification
- Cross-referencing multiple sources
- Technical analysis
- Internal testing
- Expert review
Unverified intelligence shall be treated appropriately based on risk.
13. Intelligence Sharing
Relevant threat intelligence may be shared internally with authorized personnel.
Information shared may include:
- Emerging threats
- Vulnerability alerts
- Indicators of compromise
- Threat actor activity
- Recommended mitigations
Intelligence sharing shall be conducted in accordance with legal, regulatory, contractual, and confidentiality requirements.
14. Integration with Security Monitoring
Threat intelligence shall be integrated into security monitoring activities where feasible.
Examples include:
- Detection rule updates
- Threat indicator monitoring
- Alert enrichment
- Threat hunting activities
- Security investigations
Monitoring capabilities shall be updated as new intelligence becomes available.
15. Integration with Incident Response
Threat intelligence shall support incident response activities by:
- Identifying attack techniques
- Providing threat actor context
- Supporting forensic investigations
- Improving containment decisions
- Supporting recovery efforts
Relevant intelligence shall be documented during incident investigations.
16. Integration with Vulnerability Management
Threat intelligence shall be considered when prioritizing vulnerability remediation activities.
Factors may include:
- Active exploitation
- Threat actor targeting
- Public exploit availability
- Industry relevance
- Business exposure
Threat intelligence may result in accelerated remediation requirements.
17. Threat Hunting
Threat intelligence may be used to support proactive threat hunting activities.
Threat hunting efforts may focus on:
- Indicators of compromise
- Indicators of attack
- Emerging attack techniques
- Threat actor behaviors
- Suspicious activity patterns
Threat hunting activities shall be documented where appropriate.
18. Third-Party Threat Intelligence
Threat intelligence related to third-party providers, vendors, suppliers, or service partners shall be evaluated for potential organizational impact.
Relevant intelligence may be incorporated into:
- Vendor risk assessments
- Third-party monitoring
- Contract reviews
- Security evaluations
Third-party risks shall be managed through established risk management processes.
19. Threat Intelligence Retention
Threat intelligence records shall be retained according to business, legal, regulatory, and operational requirements.
Retained information may include:
- Intelligence reports
- Threat indicators
- Analysis records
- Investigation records
- Threat assessments
Retention periods shall be documented and periodically reviewed.
20. Threat Intelligence Metrics
The organization shall maintain metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the Threat Intelligence Program.
Metrics may include:
- Number of actionable intelligence reports
- Detection improvements
- Incident response enhancements
- Intelligence utilization rates
- Threat indicator coverage
- Threat hunting outcomes
Metrics shall be reviewed periodically by management.
21. Program Review and Improvement
The Threat Intelligence Program shall be reviewed periodically to ensure effectiveness and relevance.
Reviews may consider:
- Threat landscape changes
- Program effectiveness
- Intelligence quality
- Technology improvements
- Security incidents
- Audit findings
Improvement opportunities shall be documented and tracked.
22. Compliance and Auditing
Compliance with this policy shall be verified through:
- Internal audits
- Security assessments
- Program reviews
- Compliance evaluations
- Management oversight
Findings shall be documented and addressed through corrective action processes.
23. Exceptions
Exceptions to this policy must:
- Be documented
- Include business justification
- Include risk assessment
- Be approved by management
- Be reviewed periodically
Compensating controls shall be implemented where appropriate.
24. Enforcement
Violations of this policy may result in:
- Removal of system access
- Disciplinary action
- Contract termination
- Legal action where applicable
25. Review and Maintenance
This policy shall be reviewed:
- At least annually
- Following significant threat landscape changes
- Following major security incidents
- Following regulatory changes
- Following significant updates to intelligence capabilities
Updates shall be approved by executive management.
26. Related Policies
- Information Security Policy
- Security Monitoring and Logging Policy
- Incident Response Policy
- Vulnerability Management Policy
- Security Risk Management Policy
- Vendor Management Policy
- Security Governance Policy
- Security Control Framework Policy
27. Policy Approval
Policy Owner: Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or Information Security Manager
Approved By: Executive Management
Effective Date: __________________
Review Date: __________________
Version: 1.0