Cyber Security

Knowing cyber threats internally and externally is crucial to prevent threats that occur so as not to incur significant losses in the system through proactive threat hunting, where threat hunters use various techniques. The many types of New threat variations that are increasingly developing make it a big challenge for an organisation to establish its enterprise security solutions further. Many efforts can be made, such as threat hunting, a proactive hunting strategy that security analysts from organisations use to detect new threats that have penetrated a computer network by using tools effectively.

Therefore, it is necessary to know the possible threats that may be found on your system by utilising proactive threat hunting as optimally as possible to keep your system safe from cyber attackers, as threat hunters use various strategies.

What is threat hunting?

Generally, an analyst stops the threats when they are already known and appear due to anti-viruses and firewalls, but effective threat hunting involves identifying unknown threats early to stay ahead of potential malicious activity. However, threat hunting is one way to prevent threats from occurring before they are detected and harm the system, as threat hunters assume a proactive approach to threat hunting using automated security tools.

This method is done by looking for hidden threats and problems in the system or malicious activities within an organisation so that they can be followed up before they negatively impact the system. Threat hunters also seek out indicators of compromise (IoCs), threat actor tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), and large-scale and complex threats like advanced persistent threats (APTs) using a threat hunting solution. 

Threat hunting methodologies

There are several methodologies and approaches that you need to know before applying Threat Hunter to your system.

Investigation based on known indicators of compromise or indicators of attack

This method relies on signs of known cyber threats using Indicators of Compromise (IOC) and Indicators of Attack (IOA). This approach is typically reactive, focusing on identifying threats documented, shared or observed in previous incidents, while proactive hunting seeks to uncover adversaries before they cause harm. This approach involves searching for specific digital fingerprints or behaviours that signal a successful breach or ongoing attack attempt within a system or network through cyber threat intelligence. This method can also integrate with your cyber intelligence tools, such as security information and event management (SIEM), to hunt for threats more quickly and precisely, enhancing your security defenses.

Hypothesis-driven investigation

Hypothesis-driven investigation means analysing and finding out whether an attacker has been present in the area of the network for weeks or even months, which is crucial for effective cyber threat hunting. Adversaries often use TTPs to gain access to your system, and threat hunters need to be aware of these tactics to bolster security defenses. Attackers use TTPs to gain comprehensive information, which can harm your information system. However, with Threat Hunter, It will be resolved because this system will identify the movement of attackers. If it has been identified, then we can identify and provide the best solution to an advanced threat.

Advanced analytics and machine learning investigations

Using advanced analytics and machine learning in your investigation makes finding threats more efficient and faster, which is very beneficial for proactive hunting. For example, you can use AI/ML tools to identify abnormal movement patterns in large datasets in the system, which may indicate potential malicious activity. As a result, you can access thousands of files in less time, enhancing your security solution. Also, with advanced analytics and optimised machine learning tools, you can detect sophisticated threats or zero-day attacks.

Why threat hunting is important

Better safe than sorry is one of the idioms that describes threat hunting, which often involves three main strategies to stay ahead of potential threats. Preparing to maintain the security and comfort of the organisation is the primary goal of the security team and its stakeholders. Thus, having an information system is very sensitive because most data is strictly confidential for all organisations. The data is very This is related to the continuity of your organization to survive longer and also serves as the trust of many people, users, staff, and customers, which is vital in a robust threat detection strategy. 

Therefore, using threat hunting as one of the intelligence tools to prevent many risks that occur in the future is very beneficial and a must, especially in today’s digital era, where threats are very common.

Threat hunting steps

Here are the three main steps of threat hunting using enterprise security solutions.

Trigger

In applying threat hunting, we must identify triggers, events or anomalies that may indicate the presence of a security breach or suspicious activity, proactively searching for known IoCs. In addition, it is also necessary to analyse the data system in depth to come up with hypotheses and analyse potential attacks using known IoCs. These triggers can be unusual network traffic, user behaviour, or signs of malware activity.

Investigation

After triggering, we still have to dig a lot of information about the system by collecting data from various sources, such as system logs, network traffic, and endpoint activity, to assess whether the threat is genuine or just a false alarm. In addition, the investigation also needs to perform deep dive techniques such as pattern recognition, anomaly discovery, and correlating data from various sources to determine the source and scope of the threat.

Resolution

After collecting the security data, we can analyse and know what a potential threat will be and how to provide the best solution to overcome the threat. It can involve isolating the affected systems, removing malicious code, and patching vulnerabilities with the help of automated security tools to identify and stop further threats that use these vulnerabilities. After resolution, it is critical to conduct a post-incident analysis to identify lessons learned, improve security measures, and update response strategies for future cyber threat hunting efforts.

Types of threat hunting

Here are three distinct types of threat hunting, each employing different methodologies and focusing on various aspects of cybersecurity, illustrating how threat hunters use diverse approaches.

Structured hunting

Structured hunting is done based on predefined criteria, a proactive approach to identifying attacker behaviour. An organisation has many possibilities for cyber attacks due to a lack of security measures that may indicate the presence of vulnerabilities. Many hypotheses are needed so that we can be more aware of the attacks that are likely to occur. 

Therefore, systematic structured hunting is the solution to these hypotheses. We can find possible threats and follow up on them using cyber intelligence and automated tools.

Unstructured hunting

Structured hunting is likely defined as a proactive approach, but unstructured hunting is a reactive approach to investigating potential attacks, so it does not run with systemisation. Unlike structured hunting, which uses hypotheses, this type is more focused on looking for possible threats by intuition to systems with a higher risk or systems previously exposed to attacks or threats. Therefore, this type of double-checking is a way to protect the organisation.

Situational or entity-driven hunting

Situational means real-time detection is carried out in certain situations, for example, if a significant event or event requires real-time detection and maximises the event. Usually, this hunting is done during product launches, Vip tablets or laptops, or when there is a high risk of security incidents. In addition, this type of hunting allows you to use structured and unstructured hunting. 

The main goal of energy-driven hunting is to discover a big event’s vulnerabilities. So, sometimes this type has problems in exploring the data, so in addition to cyber intelligence, it also requires cooperation with stakeholders from the organisation.

What makes a great threat hunter?

Being in a security operations center with critical thinking skills, analysing threats, and being highly curious are some factors that can make a great threat hunter. In addition to having technical expertise, a great threat hunter is also very detail-oriented and can analyse large amounts of data to identify signs of suspicious activity.

They have excellent problem-solving skills; they need to think like an attacker to anticipate and detect evolving threats. Strong critical thinking skills allow them to prioritise and differentiate between false alarms and actual threats in threat discovery. A great hunter should also have a good understanding of the organisation and its systems to become familiar with and even more aware of potential threats. 

Threat hunting tools

Security information and event management (SIEM)

SIEMs are good discovery tools for finding vulnerabilities and possible threats before attackers attack your organisation’s systems. This system certainly provides extra protection and keeps your system more like a shield that does not give access to the attacker, helping you stay ahead of potential threats. SIEM can also offer other benefits, such as analysing and correlating security events from various sources.

Managed detection and response (MDR) 

It is not just a system that uses automated threat intelligence, MDR or Managed Detection and Response combined with third parties such as human expertise to provide maximum results to protect information systems. This system also offers 24/7 full monitoring and analysis of your information system security, which is very beneficial for an organisation using MDR.

Endpoint detection and response (EDR) 

With the same goal of providing more protection for your information security system, EDR also protects against ransomware and malware. This system offers cybersecurity solutions by monitoring and responding to threats using advanced security tools and alert mechanisms, enhancing the organisation’s security environment. Moreover, EDR can also block malicious activity and contain threats, often triggered by advanced threat indicators. 

Security analytics

Security analytics uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to analyse security data and respond to possible threats using data, helping security professionals reduce false positives and stay ahead of emerging threats. The goal is to ensure that all security measures protect assets from attacks, unauthorised access, or data breaches, thereby strengthening the organisation’s security environment. Security analysis involves reviewing current security protocols, examining configurations, performing risk assessments, and conducting vulnerability scans to detect weaknesses in endpoint security that may indicate potential malicious activity. It can also include reviewing logs, monitoring systems for suspicious activity, and testing the effectiveness of defence mechanisms such as firewalls, encryption, and authentication systems to enhance your security solution.

Tips to improve your threat-hunting

Providing optimal hunting results is essential for organisations because it ensures a comprehensive threat hunting program. greatly affects the enterprise security and the running of the system. Therefore, you should know some tips to improve your reat discovery program and cyber threat-hunting strategies.

Identify your organisation’s “normal.”

Before identifying anomalies, you must understand what is considered normal behaviour within your organisation to identify and stop threats that may indicate a breach effectively. This process, known as baselining, involves establishing a clear picture of your network’s typical activity patterns. To get a definition of normal, you need to know things in your organisation in depth, such as the usual volume of traffic, the typical user login times, file access patterns, and application usage to enhance threat discovery. Knowing the commonly used patterns makes it easier to do reat detection if there is a slight change in the pattern. 

Observe, orient, decide, act (OODA)

The OODA loop is a decision-making framework developed by military strategist John Boyd, which can be applied to security professionals in reat detection. It emphasises the importance of speed, flexibility, and adaptability in responding to threats, key components of an effective threat hunting program. However, the reat detection solution is essential for identifying and mitigating risks in real-time. The OODA loop can be applied in threat detection to enhance the effectiveness of the process.

For example, observe as gathering data from various sources, including network traffic analysis and threat intelligence feeds, to gain insights to help identify potential malicious activity. Orient as analysing the collected data to understand its context and significance in cyber reat detection. Decided as taking immediate action to mitigate the threat and act: Implement your decision and take necessary steps to remediate the new threat.

Have appropriate and sufficient resources.

To be effective and efficient in reat detection, tools are needed and have high benefits, such as security information and event management (SIEM) systems, Managed Detection and Response (MDR), endpoint detection and response (EDR), and security analytics. In addition, it requires the skills of the organisation’s team so that reat detection can be carried out optimally. You can also allocate dedicated time for threat-hunting activities to improve the hunting process and enhance your program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

In an increasingly complex digital landscape, relying solely on automated defences is no longer enough. Reat detection offers a proactive layer of security by actively seeking out threats that may have slipped past traditional tools. Moreover, being reactive is a risk in today’s threat environment, but being proactive is a good strategy. Threat hunting is not just a defence but a mindset transforming cybersecurity from a passive shield into an active pursuit, where a threat hunting program is essential.