When we delve into the world of cybersecurity, MITRE ATT&CK TTPs (Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures) emerge as a paramount concept, offering a microscopic lens into an adversary's modus operandi. However, the precision and effectiveness of TTP analysis are heavily anchored on the quality of underlying data. Here, we deep-dive into the quintessential data characteristics and their bearing on TTPs and provide example methods to quantitatively score different aspects.
1. Data Accuracy:
Relevance: In the sprawling matrix of cybersecurity, precision is key. Accurate data ensures that specific adversary techniques or tools are identified with certainty. Any inaccuracy can lead to detrimental false positives or false negatives, possibly allowing malicious entities to navigate defenses unchecked.
Scoring Metric: A pragmatic approach would be to evaluate the percentage of errors or inconsistencies in data over a predetermined period. A lower error percentage signifies superior data accuracy.
0-2%: Excellent
3-5%: Very Good
6-10%: Good
11-20%: Fair
21% & Above: Poor
2. Reliability:
Relevance: A foundation built on shaky ground is bound to crumble. Similarly, defenses erected on unreliable data are vulnerable. Unreliable data can distort analyses, propagating misinformed defensive strategies.
Scoring Metric: One can rate data sources on a scale from 1 to 10, factoring in their reputation and historical record. Premium scores would be reserved for verified and esteemed threat intelligence feeds.
9-10: Premium (Verified and esteemed threat intelligence feeds)
7-8: Very Reliable
5-6: Reliable
3-4: Fairly Reliable
1-2: Unreliable
3. Relevancy:
Relevance: Amidst the deluge of digital data, ensuring relevancy is paramount. Non-pertinent data can obscure the signals of malevolent activities, consequently exhausting resources and delaying critical responses.
Scoring Metric: By discerning the percentage of data directly correlated to the prevailing security goal or threat profile, one can gauge its relevancy. Superior percentages symbolize heightened relevance.
90-100%: Highly Relevant
70-89%: Relevant
50-69%: Moderately Relevant
30-49%: Slightly Relevant
0-29%: Not Relevant
4. Completeness:
Relevance: Like a puzzle, missing pieces in data can occlude the entire picture. Incomplete datasets can overlook salient stages of an intrusion, muddying comprehension about an adversary's full TTPs.
Scoring Metric: Evaluating the ratio of received data points against the total expected offers a clarity on data completeness. An impeccable dataset would notch a score of 100%.
90-100%: Complete
70-89%: Almost Complete
50-69%: Halfway
0-49%: Incomplete
5. Timeliness:
Relevance: In the rapidly evolving landscape of cyber threats, staying updated is non-negotiable. Data staleness can render defense mechanisms obsolete. Conversely, prompt data is indispensable for swift threat detection and rectification.
Scoring Metric: Gauge the average latency between data generation and its readiness for scrutiny. Diminished delays warrant elevated scores.
0-2 Hours: Real-time
3-6 Hours: Swift
7-24 Hours: Acceptable
25-48 Hours: Slow
49 Hours & Above: Outdated
Data: Beyond the Conventional
While the aforementioned characteristics are pivotal, the expansive domain of TTPs demands a broader perspective:
6. Data Retention:
Relevance: Historical data serves as a goldmine for discerning patterns or tracking the metamorphosis of TTPs over epochs.
Scoring Metric: The duration wherein data is preserved and readily accessible becomes the yardstick. Extended retention epochs with seamless access secure premium scores.
5 Years: Archival
3-5 Years: Long-term
1-2 Years: Medium-term
6-12 Months: Short-term
<6 Months: Transient
7. TTP Visibility:
Relevance: Comprehensive visibility ensures unerring surveillance over every nuance of an adversary's TTPs, spanning from initial breach to data exfiltration.
Scoring Metric: The proportion of detected adversary TTP phases against their complete operational stages serves as the measure.
90-100%: Panoramic
70-89%: Broad
50-69%: Moderate
30-49%: Narrow
0-29%: Blindspot
8. Detection Effectiveness:
Relevance: The potency of a system in TTP identification is a harbinger of how swiftly and accurately malevolent entities can be neutralized.
Scoring Metric: Derive the percentage of genuine threats discerned (true positives) from the entirety of detections.
90-100%: Optimal
80-89%: High
70-79%: Above Average
60-69%: Average
<60%: Below Average
9. Response Effectiveness:
Relevance: Post detection, the proficiency with which a threat is counteracted defines an organization's cyber robustness.
Scoring Metric: The mean duration from a threat's identification to its neutralization becomes the metric. Accelerated response timelines are lauded with prime scores.
<1 Hour: Immediate
1-4 Hours: Quick
5-12 Hours: Standard
13-24 Hours: Delayed
24 Hours: Critical Delay
In Conclusion:
In the intricate dance of cybersecurity, data stands as both our compass and map. It's a guiding light that shines brightest when characterized by accuracy, reliability, relevance, completeness, and timeliness. These attributes ensure that our analysis of Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) is both sharp and actionable. As we've delineated, each characteristic serves a distinct, yet interwoven role in fortifying our digital fortresses. Whether it's the precision guaranteed by accuracy, the trust conferred by reliability, or the insightful clarity offered by relevance, every facet plays a part in the larger narrative of robust cyber defense.
However, as we extend our lens beyond traditional characteristics to aspects like data retention, TTP visibility, and detection effectiveness, we recognize the depth and breadth of data's role in cybersecurity. Its essence permeates every stage, from proactive monitoring to reactive measures.
Yet, even with impeccable data and quantitative metrics, there's an art to cybersecurity. Expertise, intuition, and experience, although intangible, complement our data-driven strategies. They bring color and depth to the black and white world of ones and zeros. Therefore, as we continue to advance in our cyber endeavors, it's imperative to strike a harmonious balance between the quantitative rigidity of data and the qualitative fluidity of human judgment. This synergy, when cultivated and nurtured, stands as our best defense against the ever-evolving cyber threats that lurk in the shadows of the digital realm.
By emphasizing the quality and context of our data, and combining it with human expertise, we lay down a resilient foundation for cybersecurity. A foundation that not only withstands the storms of today but is adaptable and agile for the unforeseen challenges of tomorrow.