Threat intelligence feeds enable organizations to stay up-to-date on threats that could adversely affect their networks. They also help tools like SecurityScorecard’s Security Data to build actionable insights into the next move your organization should be making when it comes to cybersecurity.

The term “threat intelligence” encompasses a wide variety of sources, including public and private data, reports from cybersecurity experts, and cross-industry statistics and incident reports. It’s a critical part of the security process because it helps businesses and government agencies identify and address potential risks, preventing cyber attacks and minimizing the damage they can cause.

“Why You Need Threat Intelligence Feeds: Understanding the Importance of Real-Time Threat Detection

A threat intelligence feed is a list of indicators that indicate a possible cybersecurity risk, and it can be curated from publicly available data or a vendor’s own global database. It includes information such as IP addresses, phishing URLs, malware hashes and more.

Several different types of threat intelligence feeds are available, each with its own audience and format. For example, tactical threat intelligence identifies a specific IoC and is usually updated more frequently than strategic threat intelligence.

Each type of threat intelligence feed has its own format and requires the creators of cyber security tools to program their products to process that particular format. In general, this can be done through a pre-written plugin or integration.

When using threat intelligence, it is important to select feeds that have a proven track record in providing timely and relevant data. A free feed that doesn’t undergo testing or vetting is not likely to deliver accurate information and may even amplify the amount of noise in your system.