Choosing the right defensive strategy is crucial for protecting an organisations assets. Two methodologies that are fundamental in cyber security frameworks are compromise assessment and threat hunting. In this blog we look at both methods and which might be the most suitable approach for your company.
Compromise assessment is a focused, point-in-time evaluation aimed at detecting indicators of compromise (IOCs) within an IT environment. This strategy seeks to identify active or past breaches using automated tools and forensic techniques. It is particularly beneficial for organisations without continuous monitoring systems or those that suspect a breach. This method is also crucial during mergers or acquisitions, and an important part of the due diligence process ensuring that new assets are free of threats.
Threat hunting represents a proactive, hypothesis-driven methodology utilised by organisations to proactively search for and identify potential security threats that have not yet manifested within their systems. This continuous and defensive cyber security tactic necessitates direct, manual engagement with threat intelligence data to anticipate and mitigate risks effectively.
By integrating threat hunting into their cyber security protocols, security teams can identify and address vulnerabilities within their network infrastructure well before these issues escalate into active threats. As a preventive measure, threat hunting is strategically positioned at the forefront of an organisation’s cyber security efforts, laying the groundwork for subsequent actions such as compromise assessments.
The choice between compromise assessment and threat hunting should consider several factors:
Maturity of Security Posture: Less mature organisations may start with compromise assessments to establish a baseline, whereas those with advanced security operations may benefit from ongoing threat hunting.
Resource Availability: Threat hunting is resource-intensive. Organisations must assess if they have the necessary tools and skilled personnel to execute this strategy effectively.
Risk Tolerance and Industry: Organisations in high-risk sectors like finance or healthcare might require the constant vigilance of threat hunting, whereas others may find periodic compromise assessments sufficient.
Regulatory Requirements: Compliance with industry-specific regulations may also influence the choice of cyber security approach.
Integrity360 offers insightful, actionable advice whether a breach is detected or not. Our service includes:
Comprehensive insight and Remediation guidance: Whether providing remediation strategies or confirming security, Integrity360 equips organisations with crucial information about their security state.
Prioritised IOC Analysis: By analysing enterprise-wide data, Integrity360 identifies and prioritises IOCs based on the risks they pose, ensuring focused and efficient threat management.
Expert Detection and Incident Response: Experts at Integrity360 can determine the specifics of past breaches and transition smoothly into incident response if a breach is in progress, reducing potential damages.
Proactive Prevention and Assurance: The service helps prevent future breaches and provides essential certifications of security to stakeholders, reinforcing trust and compliance.
Detailed Coverage and Reporting: Integrity360’s assessments cover network, endpoint, cloud, and dark web analyses, complemented by threat intelligence-led hunts, culminating in a detailed report with strategic recommendations.
If you’d like support with your cyber security get in contact with us.