Collection Planning

Building a collection plan is a critical step in the process of gathering threat intelligence. A well-designed collection plan ensures that you are collecting the right information from the right sources, using the right methods, and analyzing that information in a timely and effective manner. In this guide, we will discuss the key elements of building a collection plan that is efficient, agile, robust, and appropriate for your organization’s needs.

1. Define Your Objectives

The first step in building a collection plan is to clearly define your objectives. What type of threat intelligence do you need to collect? What are your goals in collecting this information? Who are the stakeholders that need access to this information? Understanding your objectives will help you determine the scope of your collection efforts and ensure that you are collecting the right data to meet your needs.

2. Identify Your Sources

Once you have defined your objectives, the next step is to identify your sources. Where will you be collecting your threat intelligence data from? Will you be using open-source intelligence (OSINT), closed-source intelligence (CSINT), or a combination of both? Will you be collecting data from social media, the dark web, or other sources? Understanding your sources will help you determine the methods and tools you will need to collect and analyze the data.

3. Develop Your Methodology

With your objectives and sources defined, the next step is to develop your methodology. This includes the tools, processes, and procedures you will use to collect and analyze your threat intelligence data. Your methodology should be efficient, agile, and robust enough to adapt to changing threat landscapes and emerging threats. You should also consider the security implications of your methodology and ensure that your collection efforts do not inadvertently expose your organization to new threats.

4. Establish Your Metrics

To ensure that your collection plan is effective, you need to establish metrics that will help you measure your success. These metrics should be tied to your objectives and should include measures of the quality and relevance of the data you collect, the timeliness of your analysis, and the impact of your threat intelligence on your organization’s security posture. By tracking these metrics, you can identify areas for improvement and adjust your collection plan accordingly.

5. Review and Refine Your Plan

Finally, it’s important to review and refine your collection plan on a regular basis. Threat landscapes are constantly evolving, and your collection plan needs to be agile enough to adapt to new threats and changing circumstances. Regular reviews of your plan will help you identify areas where you can improve your methodology, expand your sources, or refine your metrics to better meet your objectives.

Building a collection plan that is efficient, agile, robust, and appropriate for your organization’s needs is critical to gathering effective threat intelligence. By defining your objectives, identifying your sources, developing a methodology, establishing metrics, and regularly reviewing and refining your plan, you can ensure that your collection efforts are effective in identifying and mitigating threats to your organization’s security posture.

This is just a simple overview to get you started. If you require any further information or a detailed plan SMARTSEC Information Security can help your business plan and build a Cyber Threat Intelligence capability.