The Need for Contextualised Threat Intelligence 

Introduction 

In today’s digital landscape, cyber threats are evolving at an unprecedented pace, growing more sophisticated and harder to detect. With each passing day, businesses and individuals alike find themselves navigating an increasingly complex threat environment. This complexity isn’t just about the number of attacks, it’s about their evolving tactics, the widening attack surface, and the sheer difficulty of distinguishing real threats from background noise. 

There were 2.39 million instances of cybercrime in the UK in the year ending September 2023, a figure that underscores the scale of the challenge. As cybercriminals refine their techniques and automation accelerates the frequency of attacks, security teams are left overwhelmed, struggling to respond effectively. Traditional approaches often fall short, as they provide data without context, alerts without prioritisation, and intelligence without actionable insights. 

So, how can organisations cut through the noise, focus on what truly matters, and strengthen their defences? The answer lies in contextualised threat intelligence—a smarter, more strategic approach to cybersecurity. 

Understanding Contextualised Threat Intelligence 

Threat intelligence, as defined in Cyber Threat Intelligence by Martin Lee (2023), is a multifaceted concept that varies in interpretation. For some, it refers to the collection of data on cyber threats, while for others, it encompasses the analytical processes that transform raw data into actionable insights. In many cases, threat intelligence is even considered a commercial product, packaged and sold to organisations looking to strengthen their security posture. Regardless of perspective, the core purpose of threat intelligence remains the same, helping organisations understand, anticipate, and mitigate cyber risks. 

However, when it comes to making quick and informed security decisions, data without context is meaningless. Context provides a deeper understanding of the nature of threats, their potential impact, and how they relate to an organisation’s specific environment. Without it, security teams are left drowning in a sea of alerts, struggling to distinguish between high-priority risks and mere background noise. 

Organisations leverage threat intelligence to gain insights into threat actors, attack vectors, and emerging vulnerabilities, allowing them to adapt their security strategies proactively. This growing reliance on threat intelligence is reflected in market trends—according to industry research, the global threat intelligence market is projected to reach USD 36.53 billion by 2030, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14.7% during the forecast period. 

This increasing investment in threat intelligence highlights its critical role in modern cybersecurity. But to truly maximise its effectiveness, intelligence must go beyond raw data. It must be contextualised. 

The Importance of Contextualised Threat Intelligence 

In today’s complex cyber landscape, understanding threats in context is crucial for effective defence. Contextualised threat intelligence provides organisations with actionable insights tailored to their specific environments, enabling them to anticipate, identify, and mitigate potential risks more efficiently. 

Recent high-profile cyberattacks underscore the necessity of this approach: 

1. MOVEit Data Breach (June 2023): 

In June 2023, a significant cyberattack exploited a vulnerability in MOVEit, a managed file transfer software. This breach affected thousands of organisations and nearly 100 million individuals. Attackers used a SQL injection flaw to steal sensitive data, highlighting the critical need for organisations to have contextual awareness of their software vulnerabilities and the potential impact on their operations.  

2. British Library Cyberattack (October 2023): 

In October 2023, the British Library suffered a ransomware attack by the hacker group Rhysida, resulting in the theft of approximately 600GB of data. The attackers demanded a ransom of 20 bitcoin, which the library refused to pay. The incident led to significant operational disruptions and financial costs estimated at £6–7 million. This case illustrates the importance of contextual threat intelligence in understanding the specific vulnerabilities and threat actors targeting cultural institutions.  

These incidents demonstrate that without contextualised threat intelligence, organisations may struggle to identify and respond effectively to threats that are directly relevant to their operations. By incorporating contextual factors—such as specific vulnerabilities, threat actor behaviours, and industry-specific risks—organisations can enhance their security posture and resilience against cyber threats. 

How Cyjax Delivers Contextualised Threat Intelligence 

Cyjax’s threat intelligence platform helps uncover hidden threats and address coverage gaps by delivering contextualised insights. We enable organisations to move beyond reactive security by providing data-driven, strategic intelligence that enhances decision-making and streamlines security efforts. 

Key Benefits: 

• Uncover Hidden Threats & Address Coverage Gaps: Identify unknown risks to enhance your organisation’s security posture. 

• Better Cyber Decision-Making: Align security with business goals to proactively manage risks. 

• Manage Data Overload with Actionable Insights: Focus on the most critical threats through intelligent prioritisation. 

• Unified Data Collection for a Complete Threat Picture: Consolidate fragmented data into a cohesive, unified threat landscape. 

• Unlock Superior Security with Expert Analysis: Receive enriched threat actor profiles and geopolitical insights for advanced threat detection. 

See It in Action – Request a Demo 
Experience how Cyjax’s contextualised threat intelligence can transform your cybersecurity strategy. Request a demo today to see our platform in action.