The Advantages of Indicators of Attack over Indicators of Compromise in Threat Intelligence
In the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, threat intelligence plays a pivotal role in identifying and mitigating potential security threats. Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) and Indicators of Attack (IoAs) are two essential components of threat intelligence. This information aids in both the detection and remediation of cyber-attacks. Today we’ll discuss how effective threat intelligence is rooted upon on an IoAs foundation, rather than the IoCs used by many solutions.
Understand Your Indicators
Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) are specific pieces of data that point to the occurrence of a security breach. These could include IP addresses, domains, file hashes, or patterns of behaviour associated with known malware or attacks. On the other hand, Indicators of Attack (IoAs) focus on the techniques, tactics, and procedures (TTPs) used during an attack. IoAs provide context about how an attack unfolds and offer insights into the attacker’s strategies.
Both IoCs and IoAs have their place within a full understanding of the threat landscape. Whilst both add to this mapping, the true goal of effective intelligence is to be preventative and actionable. Let’s review the key characteristics that make a great cyber threat intelligence platform, and the best indicators for an effective solution.
Proactive Detection
IoAs enable proactive threat detection by identifying suspicious behaviours and tactics that are indicative of an ongoing or impending attack. By focusing on the attacker’s methodologies, organizations can detect threats even if no previous IoCs exist. This proactive approach allows for early threat identification, reducing the risk of breaches.
Evolving Threat Landscape
Cyber threats are continuously evolving, and attackers frequently modify their tools and techniques to bypass traditional security measures. IoCs can quickly become obsolete as attackers change their infrastructure, making them less effective in detecting new or sophisticated attacks. IoAs however, remain relevant as they focus on attack strategies rather than specific signatures.
Contextual Understanding
Indicators of Attack provide a more comprehensive understanding of an attack’s lifecycle, including the attacker’s motivations, goals, and methodologies. This contextual information helps security teams develop a holistic view of the threat landscape. This allows them to tailor their defences to counter specific attacker strategies, refining them as they evolve.
Reduced False Positives
Indicators of Compromise can sometimes generate a high number of false positives, leading to alert fatigue and diverting resources from genuine threats. IoAs, with their focus on attacker behaviours, are better at reducing false positives by considering the broader context of an attack. This results in more accurate threat identification and a more efficient allocation of resources.
IoAs For The Win
While both Indicators of Compromise and Indicators of Attack have their place in threat intelligence, the future belongs to the predictive. IoAs provide a proactive detection capability that adapts to evolving threats, all whilst providing contextual insights and reducing noisy alerts. As organisations strive to stay ahead of sophisticated cyber threats, a shift towards a more IoA-focused approach is crucial to strengthening their security posture and effectively countering a dynamic threat landscape.
If you’d like to learn more about how a proactive IoAs-based threat intelligence platform empowers your business, contact our sales team. Alternatively; come and speak to us at the International Cyber Expo 2023 on the 26th-27th September at the London Olympia.
