312-85 Certified Threat Intelligence Analyst (CTIA) Questions and Answers

The phase described where John, after gaining initial access, is attempting to obtain administrative credentials to further access systems within the network, is known as the 'Expansion' phase of an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) lifecycle. This phase involves the attacker expanding their foothold within the target's environment, often by escalating privileges, compromising additional systems, and moving laterally through the network. The goal is to increase control over the network and maintain persistence for ongoing access. This phase follows the initial intrusion and sets the stage for establishing long-term presence and eventual data exfiltration or other malicious objectives.References:

• MITRE ATT&CK Framework, specifically the tactics related to Credential Access and Lateral Movement
• "APT Lifecycle: Detecting the Undetected," a whitepaper by CyberArk

A gateway in a network functions as a node that routes traffic between different networks, such as from a local network to the internet. In the context of cyber threats, a gateway can be utilized to monitor and control the data flow to and from the network, helping in the identification and analysis of malware communications, including traffic to external command and control (C2) servers. This makes it an essential component in detecting installed malware within a network by observing anomalies or unauthorized communications at the network's boundary. Unlike repeaters, hubs, or network interface cards (NICs) that primarily facilitate network connectivity without analyzing the traffic, gateways can enforce security policies and detect suspicious activities.References:

• "Network Security Basics," Security+ Guide to Network Security Fundamentals
• "Malware Command and Control Channels: A Journey," SANS Institute InfoSec Reading Room

By assessing the Threat Intelligence (TI) program through a comparison of project results with the original objectives, and by ensuring that all expected deliverables have been produced to an acceptable quality level, Joe is conducting a gap analysis. Gap analysis involves identifying the difference between the current state and the desired state or objectives, in this case, the outcomes of the TI program versus its intended goals as outlined in the project charter. This process allows for the assessment of what was successful, what fell short, and where improvements can be made, thereby evaluating the program's overall effectiveness and identifying areas for future enhancement.References:

• "Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)" by the Project Management Institute
• "Intelligence Analysis: A Target-Centric Approach" by Robert M. Clark

During the threat modeling process, Mr. Andrews is in the stage of threat profiling and attribution, where he is collecting important information about the threat actor and characterizing the analytic behavior of the adversary. This stage involves understanding the technological details, goals, motives, and potential capabilities of the adversaries, which is essential for building effective countermeasures. Threat profiling and attribution help in creating a detailed picture of the adversary, contributing to a more focused and effective defense strategy.References:

• "The Art of Threat Profiling," by John Pirc, SANS Institute Reading Room
• "Threat Modeling: Designing for Security," by Adam Shostack

When prioritizing intelligence requirements, it is crucial to understand the frequency and impact of various threats. This approach helps in allocating resources effectively, focusing on threats that are both likely to occur and that would have significant consequences if they did. By assessing threats based on these criteria, Henry can ensure that the threat intelligence program addresses the most pressing and potentially damaging threats first, thereby enhancing the organization's security posture. This prioritization is essential for effective threat management and for ensuring that the most critical threats are addressed promptly.References:

• "Cyber Threat Intelligence: Prioritizing and Using CTI Effectively," by SANS Institute
• "Threat Intelligence: What It Is, and How to Use It Effectively," by Gartner

The scenario described by Steve's observations, where multiple logins are occurring from different locations in a short time span, especially from locations where the organization has no business relations, points to 'Geographical anomalies' as a key indicator of compromise (IoC). Geographical anomalies in logins suggest unauthorized access attempts potentially made by attackers using compromised credentials. This is particularly suspicious when the locations of these logins do not align with the normal geographical footprint of the organization's operations or employee locations. Monitoring for such anomalies can help in the early detection of unauthorized access and potential data breaches.References:

• SANS Institute Reading Room, "Indicators of Compromise: Reality's Version of the Minority Report"
• "Identifying Indicators of Compromise" by CERT-UK

The correct sequence for scheduling a threat intelligence program involves starting with the foundational steps of defining the project scope and objectives, followed by detailed planning and scheduling of tasks. The sequence starts with reviewing the project charter (1) to understand the project's scope, objectives, and constraints. Next, building a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) (9) helps in organizing the team's work into manageable sections. Identifying all deliverables (2) clarifies the project's outcomes. Defining all activities (8) involves listing the tasks required to produce the deliverables. Identifying the sequence of activities (3) and estimating resources (7) and task dependencies (4) sets the groundwork for scheduling. Estimating the duration of each activity (6) is critical before developing the final schedule (5), which combines all these elements into a comprehensive plan. This approach ensures a structured and methodical progression from project initiation to execution.References:

• "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)," Project Management Institute
• "Cyber Intelligence-Driven Risk," by Intel471

For Alice to perform qualitative data analysis, techniques such as brainstorming, interviewing, SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis, and the Delphi technique are suitable. Unlike quantitative analysis, which involves numerical calculations and statistical modeling, qualitative analysis focuses on understanding patterns, themes, and narratives within the data. These techniques enable the analyst to explore the data's deeper meanings and insights, which are essential for strategic decision-making and developing a nuanced understanding of cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities.References:

• "Qualitative Research Methods in Cybersecurity," SANS Institute Reading Room
• "The Delphi Method for Cybersecurity Risk Assessment," by Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

Tracy, as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), requires intelligence that aids in understanding broader business and cybersecurity trends, making informed decisions regarding new technologies, security budgets, process improvements, and staffing. This need aligns with the role of a strategic user of threat intelligence. Strategic users leverage intelligence to guide long-term planning and decision-making, focusing on minimizing business risks and safeguarding against emerging threats to new technology and business initiatives. This type of intelligence is less about the technical specifics of individual threats and more about understanding the overall threat landscape, regulatory environment, and industry trends to inform high-level strategy and policy.References:

• "The Role of Strategic Intelligence in Cybersecurity," Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice
• "Cyber Threat Intelligence and the Lessons from Law Enforcement," by Robert M. Lee and David Bianco, SANS Institute Reading Room

The threat modeling methodology employed by Lizzy, which involves building asset-based threat profiles, identifying infrastructure vulnerabilities, and developing security strategies and plans, aligns with the OCTAVE (Operationally Critical Threat, Asset, and Vulnerability Evaluation) methodology. OCTAVE focuses on organizational risk and security practices, emphasizing self-directed risk assessments to identify and prioritize threats to organizational assets and develop appropriate security strategies and plans. This methodology is asset-driven and revolves around understanding critical assets, identifying threats to those assets, and assessing vulnerabilities, leading to the development of a comprehensive security strategy.References:

• The CERT Guide to System and Network Security Practices by Julia H. Allen
• "OCTAVE Method Implementation Guide Version 2.0," Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute

In the Analysis of Competing Hypotheses (ACH) process, the stage where Mr. Bob is applying analysis to reject hypotheses and select the most likely one based on listed evidence, followed by preparing a matrix with screened hypotheses and evidence, is known as the 'Refinement' stage. This stage involves refining the list of hypotheses by systematically evaluating the evidence against each hypothesis, leading to the rejection of inconsistent hypotheses and the strengthening of the most plausible ones. The preparation of a matrix helps visualize the relationship between each hypothesis and the available evidence, facilitating a more objective and structured analysis.References:

• "Psychology of Intelligence Analysis" by Richards J. Heuer, Jr., for the CIA's Center for the Study of Intelligence
• "A Tradecraft Primer: Structured Analytic Techniques for Improving Intelligence Analysis" by the CIA

The analyst used Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) to gather information from publicly available sources. OSINT involves collecting and analyzing information from publicly accessible sources to produce actionable intelligence. This can include media reports, public government data, professional and academic publications, and information available on the internet. OSINT is widely used for national security, law enforcement, and business intelligence purposes, providing a rich source of information for making informed decisions and understanding the threat landscape.References:

• "Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Tools and Techniques," by SANS Institute
• "The Role of OSINT in Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence," by Recorded Future