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

Centralized storage architecture refers to a system where data is stored in a localized system, server, or storage hardware. This type of storage is capable of holding a limited amount of data in its database and is locally available for data usage. Centralized storage is commonly used in smaller organizations or specific departments within larger organizations where the volume of data is manageable and does not require the scalability offered by distributed or cloud storage solutions. Centralized storage systems simplify data management and access but might present challenges in terms of scalabilityand data recovery.References:

• "Data Storage Solutions for Your Business: Centralized vs. Decentralized," Techopedia
• "The Basics of Centralized Data Storage," by Margaret Rouse, SearchStorage

Analysis of Competing Hypotheses (ACH) is an analytic process designed to help an analyst or a team of analysts evaluate multiple competing hypotheses on an issue fairly and objectively. ACH assists in identifying and analyzing the evidence for and against each hypothesis, ultimately aiding in determining the most likely explanation. In the scenario where a team of threat intelligence analysts has various theories on a particular malware, ACH would be the most appropriate method to assess these competing theories systematically. ACH involves listing all possible hypotheses, collecting data and evidence, and assessing the evidence's consistency with each hypothesis. This process helps in minimizing cognitive biases and making a more informed decision on the most consistent theory.References:

• Richards J. Heuer Jr., "Psychology of Intelligence Analysis," Central Intelligence Agency
• "A Tradecraft Primer: Structured Analytic Techniques for Improving Intelligence Analysis," Central Intelligence Agency

In the context of bulk data collection for threat intelligence, data is often initially collected in an unstructured form from multiple sources and in various formats. This unstructured data includes information from blogs, news articles, threat reports, social media, and other sources that do not follow a specific structure or format. The subsequent processing of this data involves organizing, structuring, and analyzing it to extract actionable threat intelligence. This phase is crucial for turning vast amounts of disparate data into coherent, useful insights for cybersecurity purposes.References:

• "The Role of Unstructured Data in Cyber Threat Intelligence," by Jason Trost, Anomali
• "Turning Unstructured Data into Cyber Threat Intelligence," by Giorgio Mosca, IEEE Xplore

The information Sarah is gathering, which includes collections of validated and prioritized threat indicators along with detailed technical analysis of malware samples, botnets, DDoS methods, and other malicious tools, indicates that she is obtaining this intelligence from providers of comprehensive cyber-threat intelligence. These providers offer a holistic view of the threat landscape, combining tactical and operational threat data with in-depth analysis and context, enabling security teams to make informed decisions and strategically enhance their defenses.References:

• "Cyber Threat Intelligence Providers: How to Choose the Right One for Your Organization," by CrowdStrike
• "The Role of Comprehensive Cyber Threat Intelligence in Effective Cybersecurity Strategies," by FireEye

The "related:" Google search operator is used to find websites that are similar or related to a specified URL. In the context provided, Moses wants to identify fake websites that may be posing as or are similar to his organization's official site. By using the "related:" operator followed by his organization's URL, Google will return a list of websites that Google considers to be similar to the specified site. This can help Moses identify potential impersonating websites that could be used for phishing or other malicious activities. The "info:", "link:", and "cache:" operators serve different purposes; "info:" provides information about the specified webpage, "link:" used to be used to find pages linking to a specific URL (but is now deprecated), and "cache:" shows the cached version of the specified webpage.References:

• Google Search Operators Guide by Moz
• Google Advanced Search Help Documentation

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)

True attribution in the context of cyber threats involves identifying the actual individual, group, or nation-state behind an attack or intrusion. This type of attribution goes beyond associating an attack with certain tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) or a known group and aims to pinpoint the real-world entity responsible. True attribution ischallenging due to the anonymity of the internet and the use of obfuscation techniques by attackers, but it is crucial for understanding the motive behind an attack and for forming appropriate responses at diplomatic, law enforcement, or cybersecurity levels.References:

• "Attribution of Cyber Attacks: A Framework for an Evidence-Based Analysis" by Jason Healey
• "The Challenges of Attribution in Cyberspace" in the Journal of Cyber Policy

Normalization in the context of data analysis refers to the process of organizing data to reduce redundancy and improve efficiency in storing and sharing. By filtering, tagging, and queuing, Miley is effectively normalizing the data—converting it from various unstructured formats into a structured, more accessible format. This makes the data easierto analyze, store, and share. Normalization is crucial in cybersecurity and threat intelligence to manage the vast amounts of data collected and ensure that only relevant data is retained and analyzed. This technique contrasts with sandboxing, which is used for isolating and analyzing suspicious code; data visualization, which involves representing data graphically; and convenience sampling, which is a method of sampling where samples are taken from a group that is conveniently accessible.References:

• "The Application of Data Normalization to Database Security," International Journal of Computer Science Issues
• SANS Institute Reading Room, "Data Normalization Considerations in Cyber Threat Intelligence"

Alice, looking to gather information on emerging threats including attack methods, tools, and post-attack techniques, should turn to hacking forums. These online platforms are frequented by cybercriminals and security researchers alike, where information on the latest exploits, malware, and hacking techniques is shared and discussed. Hacking forums can provide real-time insights into the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by threat actors, offering a valuable resource for threat intelligence analysts aiming to enhance their organization's defenses.References:

• "Hacking Forums: A Ground for Cyber Threat Intelligence," by Digital Shadows
• "The Value of Hacking Forums for Threat Intelligence," by Flashpoint

Internal intelligence feeds are derived from data and information collected within an organization's own networks and systems. Jian's activities, such as real-time assessment of system activities and acquiring feeds from honeynets, P2P monitoring, infrastructure, and application logs, fall under the collection of internal intelligence feeds. These feeds are crucial for identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities within the organization and form a fundamental part of a comprehensive threat intelligence program. They contrast with external intelligence feeds, which are sourced from outside the organization and include information on broader cyber threats, trends, and TTPs of threat actors.References:

• "Building an Intelligence-Led Security Program" by Allan Liska
• "Threat Intelligence: Collecting, Analysing, Evaluating" by M-K. Lee, L. Healey, and P. A. Porras

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

Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) are characterized by their 'Multiphased' nature, referring to the various stages or phases the attacker undertakes to breach a network, remain undetected, and achieve their objectives. This characteristic includes numerous attempts to gain entry to the target's network, often starting with reconnaissance, followed by initial compromise, and progressing through stages such as establishment of a backdoor, expansion, data exfiltration, and maintaining persistence. This multiphased approach allows attackers to adapt and pursue their objectives despite potential disruptions or initial failures in their campaign.References:

• "Understanding Advanced Persistent Threats and Complex Malware," by FireEye
• MITRE ATT&CK Framework, detailing the multiphased nature of adversary tactics and techniques