Only 22% of Organizations Possess Mature Threat Intelligence: OPSWAT Survey

OPSWAT, a global provider of cybersecurity solutions for critical infrastructure protection (CIP), has unveiled the outcomes of its recent Threat Intelligence Survey. The extensive study encompassed responses from over 300 IT professionals overseeing malware identification, assessment, and response within their respective organizations. The survey findings shed light on the ever-evolving landscape of threat intelligence, as well as the prevailing challenges encountered by IT experts. Moreover, the report discloses insights into organizational readiness, maturity stages, and strategies employed to navigate the present threat landscape and proactively address future adversities.

The utilization of malware by threat actors as an initial point of entry to breach targeted systems, followed by lateral movement to gain prolonged control, inflict harm, or steal data and proprietary information, underscores the significance of actionable threat intelligence. Organizations deploy strategies like sandboxes and advanced malware analysis technologies to accumulate vital threat intelligence. This approach empowers organizations to bolster their defensive infrastructure, enhance their ability to respond to incidents, and customize security tactics to tackle specific potential threats.

Jan Miller, CTO of Threat Analysis at OPSWAT, emphasized, “Threat intelligence plays a crucial role in safeguarding critical assets. Understanding the evolving threat landscape empowers organizations to stay one step ahead of malicious actors, and in this rapidly changing cybersecurity landscape, it becomes the critical strategic advantage.”

Key Survey Results:

– Evolving Nature of Threat Intelligence: Among the organizations surveyed, only 22% have achieved a fully matured threat intelligence program. The majority recognize the necessity for additional investments in tools and processes to augment their threat intelligence capabilities. These findings indicate that a substantial proportion are still in the initial phases or require further enhancements in their approach.

– Pervasive Challenges: The survey underscores common challenges faced by organizations, including the detection of both known and unknown malware (68%), limitations of signature-based solutions (67%), and the use of disparate tools (54%).

– Outlook on AI: While just 11% of respondents currently employ AI for threat detection, 56% of security professionals express optimism about its future potential, whereas 27% remain skeptical.

– Emphasis on Phishing Concerns: Notably, around half of the participants identify phishing URLs and email as primary concerns within the realm of file type and delivery methods. This accentuates the significance of advanced security measures like Deep Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR), sandboxing, and link reputation assessments.

OPSWAT’s dedication to equipping organizations with state-of-the-art cybersecurity solutions to safeguard critical infrastructure from emerging threats remains steadfast. As the threat landscape evolves, OPSWAT remains at the forefront of innovation, furnishing organizations with the tools and expertise needed to counter increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks and maintain a proactive stance.

For more detailed insights from OPSWAT’s survey, please refer to the following link: (https://www.opswat.com/resources/reports/2023-threat-intelligence-trends).