Understanding Threat Hunting in Cybersecurity

As the threat landscape continues to evolve, organizations are increasingly turning to cyber threat hunting to enhance their security posture. According to the latest survey by the SANS Institute, a remarkable 95% of organizations are utilizing threat hunting techniques to improve their detection capabilities and safeguard their systems. This proactive approach not only strengthens threat detection but also fortifies an organization’s overall defense strategy.

In this post, we’ll delve into what cyber threat hunting is, how it can bolster your company’s cybersecurity, and the techniques used by threat hunters to detect and neutralize threats before they cause harm.

What Is Cyber Threat Hunting?

Cyber threat hunting involves actively searching for threats that may have bypassed traditional security measures. Unlike passive security systems that wait for attacks to occur, threat hunters use advanced data analysis tools to detect potential cyber risks that are unknown or ongoing within an organization’s network.

As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, automated security solutions are no longer enough. Advanced persistent threats (APTs) can slip past these defenses, highlighting the need for skilled threat hunters who can identify and mitigate complex risks. Without their expertise, your systems remain vulnerable to evolving cyber threats.

Types of Cyber Threat Hunting

Cyber threat hunters use various approaches to detect potential threats. Here are some of the key methods:

Structured Hunting

In structured hunting, threat hunters analyze the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) used by attackers. By leveraging cyber threat intelligence, they identify patterns of suspicious activity that might indicate an attack. This approach helps hunters predict future threats by understanding the attacker’s methods and behavior.

Unstructured Hunting

Unstructured hunting is more flexible and is triggered by specific indicators of compromise (IoCs) or signs of a potential breach. It allows threat hunters to explore a wider range of potential risks and uncover unexpected threats that might not have been anticipated.

Situational or Entity-Driven Hunting

This method focuses on specific systems, accounts, or events that are considered high-risk for the organization. It involves risk assessments and vulnerability analyses to create a targeted approach tailored to the unique needs of the business.

Proactive Cyber Threat Hunting Techniques

Cyber threats are never the same, so threat hunters use a variety of methods to detect risks. Here are some common techniques:

Hypotheses-Driven Hunting

This approach starts with crowdsourced data that suggests a potential threat. Threat hunters use this information to formulate hypotheses about how an attack might unfold. They then actively search for evidence to confirm the threat, which allows for more focused and efficient detection.

Intelligence-Based Investigation

In this reactive approach, threat hunters use IoCs like IP addresses, hash values, and domain names to detect threats. By analyzing these indicators, they can trace malicious activity and uncover hidden cyber risks within the network.

Investigations Based on Indicators of Attack (IOA)

This method relies on recognizing patterns or signs associated with specific cyberattacks. By using intelligence from different sources, threat hunters can identify and investigate potential ongoing or emerging threats.

Hybrid Hunting

Hybrid hunting integrates multiple approaches, such as intelligence-based investigation, hypotheses-driven hunting, and reactive analysis. By combining these strategies, threat hunters can improve their ability to detect advanced threats while utilizing IoCs and IOAs for more comprehensive searches.

The Five Steps of Cyber Threat Hunting

Effective threat hunting follows a structured process, typically broken down into five key steps:

Step 1: Develop a Hypothesis

The first step in cyber threat hunting is to form a hypothesis based on data. Threat hunters use data analysis and insights from sources like intelligence reports or past social engineering attacks to develop theories about potential risks within the network.

Step 2: Conduct Research and Gather Data

Once a hypothesis is formed, hunters begin gathering data to uncover clues about possible threats. Security information and event management (SIEM) systems are often used to analyze the company’s IT environment, providing valuable insight into ongoing activities and potential risks.

Step 3: Identify the Trigger

Using advanced detection tools, threat hunters search for anomalies—such as unusual network traffic or file modifications—that could serve as a trigger for further investigation. These anomalies help determine whether the initial hypothesis is valid and whether a security risk is present.

Step 4: Begin the Investigation

The next step is to investigate the identified anomaly to either confirm or rule out the threat. Threat hunters use various investigative tools to analyze the data and determine if the behavior is malicious. They also communicate with employees to implement necessary precautions while tracing the source of the threat.

Step 5: Resolution

In the final step, threat hunters share their findings with other teams to respond and mitigate the threat. Whether the activity is deemed safe or malicious, the information collected helps enhance future detection efforts and improve the overall security strategy.

Conclusion

Cyber threat hunting plays a crucial role in identifying and mitigating risks that traditional security measures may miss. By adopting a proactive approach and leveraging skilled threat hunters, organizations can significantly enhance their defense strategies, making it harder for cybercriminals to breach their systems. Whether you are just starting to explore threat hunting or looking to refine your existing strategy, incorporating these practices will strengthen your cybersecurity efforts and better protect your business from evolving cyber threats.