Threat Actor Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs)

Introduction to TTPs

Threat Actor Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) are the methods used by adversaries to achieve their objectives. Understanding TTPs is crucial for cybersecurity professionals, as it helps in identifying, preventing, and mitigating threats.

Key Concepts

1. Tactics

Tactics are the high-level strategies that threat actors employ to achieve their goals. These are often aligned with the adversary's intent and can include actions like initial access, execution, persistence, and exfiltration.

Example: A tactic could be "Initial Access," where the threat actor tries to gain entry into a network. This could involve phishing emails, exploiting vulnerabilities, or using stolen credentials.

2. Techniques

Techniques are the specific methods used to execute the tactics. These are more detailed and operational, providing a deeper understanding of how the threat actor carries out their actions.

Example: A technique under "Initial Access" could be "Phishing," where the threat actor sends malicious emails to trick users into revealing sensitive information or downloading malware.

3. Procedures

Procedures are the step-by-step actions that threat actors take to implement their techniques. These are the most granular level of TTPs and provide a clear roadmap of how an attack is executed.

Example: A procedure for the "Phishing" technique could involve creating a fake login page, sending the phishing email, and monitoring the responses to capture credentials.

Understanding TTPs in Practice

To better understand TTPs, consider an analogy: Tactics are like the overall game plan in a football match, techniques are the specific plays called by the coach, and procedures are the individual actions taken by the players to execute those plays.

Why TTPs Matter

By analyzing TTPs, cybersecurity professionals can develop more effective defense strategies. For instance, knowing that a threat actor uses phishing as a technique can lead to enhanced email filtering and user education programs.

Conclusion

Threat Actor Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) are essential for understanding how adversaries operate. By breaking down TTPs into tactics, techniques, and procedures, cybersecurity professionals can better protect their organizations from cyber threats.