Build vs. Buy: What’s the Best Threat Intelligence Approach? 

Cyber threats are escalating rapidly, with the cost of global cybercrime projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, up from $3 trillion in 2015. In response, organisations are significantly ramping up their cybersecurity investments. The global threat intelligence market size was estimated at $11.6 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.6% from 2024 to 2030. However, merely increasing budgets isn’t enough. Organisations need a robust threat intelligence approach to proactively detect, analyse, and mitigate cyber threats before they cause significant damage. 

With the rise of AI-powered attacks, the cybersecurity landscape has become even more complex. AI has introduced new tactics for threat actors, making it harder for organisations to stay ahead of emerging risks. This, combined with an increasingly strict regulatory environment, means businesses must implement advanced threat intelligence strategies that are both proactive and compliant. 

As businesses consider their cybersecurity strategies, one crucial decision is whether to develop an in-house Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) capability or outsource to a specialised threat intelligence provider. This blog explores the critical factors organisations need to consider when making this choice. 

Why Threat Intelligence is Essential 

Threat intelligence helps organisations proactively detect, analyse, and respond to cyber threats. By understanding the threat landscape, businesses gain actionable insights that enhance their ability to identify, mitigate, and respond to security incidents. 

An effective threat intelligence approach allows organisations to: 

• Proactively defend against emerging risks and sophisticated cyber threats. 

• Reduce incident response times and improve overall security posture. 

• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and industry best practices. 

• Strategically align security priorities against the threat landscape 

Factors to Consider When Deciding to Build or Buy a Threat Intelligence Capability 

When deciding whether to develop an internal CTI team or leverage an external provider, organisations need to assess several key factors: 

1. Cost and Budget 

• Developing an in-house CTI function requires significant investment in hiring skilled analysts, acquiring advanced tools, and maintaining ongoing training and infrastructure. 

• Outsourcing to a threat intelligence provider involves subscription or service fees, but it can be more cost-effective by reducing overhead costs associated with hiring and maintaining an internal team. 

2. Internal Expertise and Skills Gap 

• Building an in-house CTI team requires deep expertise in cybersecurity, threat research, and intelligence analysis. Given the global shortage of skilled threat intelligence professionals, recruiting and retaining top talent can be challenging and expensive. 

• Outsourcing provides access to experienced analysts, specialised tools, and continuous threat research without the burden of maintaining an internal team. 

3. Speed and Efficiency 

• Building an internal threat intelligence capability takes time. From recruiting skilled analysts to setting up the right infrastructure and processes, organisations can face significant delays. This extended timeline can hinder the ability to respond quickly to evolving cyber threats. In today’s fast-paced cybersecurity landscape, where speed is critical, even small delays in threat detection and response can lead to severe consequences. 

• External providers offer immediate access to established, actionable threat intelligence. These solutions are designed for rapid deployment, allowing organisations to respond to threats more efficiently and proactively. The speed of external providers ensures that security teams can detect and mitigate threats in real time, significantly reducing the window of vulnerability. 

4. Customisation vs. Standardisation 

• An in-house CTI team allows for customised intelligence gathering and analysis tailored to an organisation’s specific threat landscape and business needs. 

• External providers offer structured intelligence feeds, industry-wide insights, and ready-to-use solutions that may lack deep customisation but provide broader threat visibility. 

5. Scalability and Flexibility 

• In-house teams require continuous investment to scale with evolving threats and business growth. 

• Outsourced providers offer flexible solutions that can easily scale with organisational needs without additional infrastructure costs. 

6. Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management 

• Internal teams must ensure compliance with evolving data protection and cybersecurity regulations, which can be resource intensive. 

• Established providers often have built-in compliance frameworks and industry certifications that simplify regulatory adherence. 

7. Support, Updates, and Threat Intelligence Integration 

• Maintaining an internal CTI function requires ongoing updates, tool integrations, and proactive research to stay ahead of emerging threats. 

• External providers offer real-time updates, threat intelligence sharing, and continuous monitoring to keep security teams informed. 

By evaluating these factors, organisations can make a more informed decision about whether to build an in-house CTI function or partner with a specialised provider that best aligns with their needs and resources. 

To enhance your organisation’s cybersecurity with a reliable threat intelligence provider, explore how Cyjax can provide the insights and solutions you need. Whether you’re looking to build a dedicated threat intelligence team, gain access to key sources, or even build your own tools, we can help. Contact us to learn more about how we can support your cybersecurity strategy.