Gartner Research

How to Plan and Execute a Threat Assessment

Published: 12 August 2016

Summary

The threat assessment process makes use of threat intelligence in order to determine which threats are relevant to an organization. It identifies relevant threat types, specific threats and even explicit threat actors to include in risk management processes.

Included in Full Research

  • Understand Threat Assessment Concepts
    • Define Threat and Threat Actor
    • Define Threat Assessment
    • Refer to Regulations and Compliance Mandates in Threat Assessment
    • Decide What Level of Threat Assessment You Need
  • Assess the Overall Threat Landscape
    • Review Reports and Publication on the Overall Threat Landscape
    • Pick an Approach to Threat Classification
    • Focus on Threat Capabilities and Intents
  • Gather and Evaluate Threat Assessment Resources
    • Gather External Resources
    • Engage Security and Other Groups Inside the Organization
    • Undertake Preparation and Planning Activities
  • Gather and Integrate Threat Intelligence
    • Utilize Threat Actor Profiles
    • Do Not Fear Threat Actor Attribution
  • Execute a Threat Assessment Process
    • Adopt a Threat Assessment Methodology
  • Utilize Threat Assessment Results
    • Threat Assessment and Risk Management
    • Threat Assessment Results as Security Planning Input
    • Identifying Security Monitoring Use Cases
  • Refine Threat Assessment Process
    • Review Process Twice a Year
    • Improve Other Related Security Processes
  • Focusing on Technical Details Alone
  • Missing the Threat Altogether
  • Neglecting the Insider Threat
  • Failing to See Partners as Not Only a Threat, but Also a Way In
  • Overanalyzing and Never Prioritizing
  • Blind Blocking Without Gaining Intelligence
  • Assuming Perfection in Threat Assessment

Analysts:

Anton Chuvakin,  Augusto Barros

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