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Anticipating Cyber Threats: How Threat Modeling and Cyber Threat Intelligence Empower Cybersecurity Analysts

July 16, 2025

What is cyber threat intelligence, and why does it matter for organizations today?

In today’s rapidly evolving cyber landscape, threat modeling and cyber threat intelligence are crucial for anticipating, preventing, and mitigating the next cyberattack. As cybersecurity threats become more sophisticated, sharing information and developing skills—such as those measured in the CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) certification—have become essential for anyone on the cybersecurity certification path. This guide explains how organizations and cybersecurity professionals use threat intelligence and proven frameworks like the MITRE ATT&CK Navigator to profile adversaries and fortify their defenses.

What is cyber threat intelligence?

Cyber threat intelligence (CTI) is actionable information about potential or current attacks, adversaries, vulnerabilities, and behaviors that can threaten your organization. By collecting, analyzing, and sharing cyber threat intelligence, organizations can more effectively forecast and prevent attacks. Threat modeling, meanwhile, is the practice of identifying, understanding, and prioritizing threats to your IT environment.

An analogy: Baseball and cybersecurity

Imagine if your team always knew what pitch was coming next in a baseball game—that edge is what cyber threat intelligence provides in cybersecurity. If you can profile a hacker’s tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), you gain the advantage of anticipating their next move, just like a batter who knows the next pitch.

Key example

Like the Houston Astros used controversial techniques to anticipate their opponents’ moves, cybersecurity teams use information sharing and intelligence sources to stay a step ahead of hackers.

Why is threat modeling essential?

In cybersecurity, threat modeling is about anticipating how attackers might exploit vulnerabilities. Organizations now leverage Information Sharing and Analysis Organizations (ISAOs) and real-time cyber threat intelligence feeds to identify which threats are most relevant to their sector.

Benefits of threat modeling

  • Identifies attack vectors before they are exploited

  • Prioritizes security controls for the most likely threats

  • Enables faster, more strategic incident response

Using the MITRE ATT&CK Navigator

The MITRE ATT&CK Navigator is a powerful platform used by cybersecurity analysts to visualize, categorize, and profile cyber threats.

The four areas of MITRE ATT&CK

  1. Pre-ATT&CK:Pinpoints attack planning stages

  2. Enterprise:Covers traditional and cloud IT infrastructures

  3. Mobile:Focuses on smartphones, IoT devices, and mobile platforms

  4. Industrial control systems (ICS):Secures operational technologies and critical infrastructure

These categories enable organizations to conduct detailed threat modeling and prepare for even the most advanced persistent threats.

How to profile threat actors with MITRE ATT&CK

Organizations can use tools like MITRE ATT&CK to identify the tactics of cyber threat groups, such as the infamous FIN6 and FIN7. Profiling these groups helps cybersecurity professionals plan targeted defenses based on actual observed attacker behaviors.

Practical example

Suppose your cybersecurity team profiles the FIN6 group using the MITRE ATT&CK Navigator. They notice this group prefers to attack payment card infrastructure in retail, enabling your team to focus resources on defending those assets.

Contextualizing and enhancing cyber threat intelligence

Cyber threat intelligence is only as useful as it is relevant. Regularly updating your threat profiles and collaborating through ISAOs or industry peers ensures you act on the latest intelligence and adapt as attackers change their methods.

Limitations and realistic expectations

While advanced threat modeling significantly enhances security, no approach guarantees 100% protection. Like any competition, underdogs can break through defenses. However, with strong cyber threat intelligence, your organization can take a proactive, analytical stance, reducing the impact and frequency of successful attacks.

How to build skills in threat modeling and cyber threat intelligence

Ensuring your team has skilled cybersecurity analyst now requires up-to-date threat intelligence and threat modeling knowledge. Earning a respected cybersecurity certification, such as CompTIA CySA+, demonstrates your ability to use these concepts for employers and clients.

What is cyber threat intelligence?

Cyber threat intelligence is the collection and analysis of information about current and potential cyber threats, including attacker behaviors, tools, and targets. It helps organizations anticipate, prevent, and mitigate cyberattacks by making informed decisions about security measures.

Mastering threat modeling and cyber threat intelligence is essential for every organization and for anyone seeking to become a cybersecurity analyst or advance on the cybersecurity certification path. To position yourself as a security leader, leverage industry tools like the MITRE ATT&CK Navigator, participate in information-sharing communities, and pursue credentials such as CompTIA CySA+.