Introduction
Cybersecurity professionals rely on Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) and Traffic Light Protocol (TLP) to detect, analyze, and respond to cyber threats. This course covers these essential concepts and how they enhance cybersecurity operations.
1. What are Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs)?
TTPs refer to the methods, strategies, and behaviors used by cyber adversaries to achieve their objectives.
- Tactics – The broad goals of an attack (e.g., persistence, lateral movement).
- Techniques – The specific ways attackers execute tactics (e.g., credential dumping, phishing).
- Procedures – The exact sequences and tools used in an attack.
Examples of TTPs
| Tactic | Technique | Procedure Example |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Access | Phishing | Malicious email with malware |
| Persistence | Credential Dumping | Extracting stored passwords |
| Lateral Movement | Remote Desktop Exploitation | Using RDP to spread malware |
Why TTPs Matter in Cybersecurity?
- Proactive Defense – Security teams predict attacker behavior.
- Threat Hunting – Analysts correlate TTP patterns to detect intrusions.
- Adversary Attribution – Helps identify threat actors by studying attack patterns.
MITRE ATT&CK Framework provides a standardized way to map TTPs used by different threat actors.
2. Understanding the Traffic Light Protocol (TLP)
TLP is a system used to classify and share sensitive threat intelligence securely.
TLP Classification Levels
| TLP Level | Meaning |
|---|---|
| TLP:RED | Restricted to specific individuals. Highly confidential. |
| TLP:AMBER | Shared within an organization but not publicly. |
| TLP:GREEN | Can be shared with trusted partners. |
| TLP:WHITE | Publicly available information. |
How TLP is Used in Cybersecurity
- Ensures sensitive information is shared securely.
- Helps organizations coordinate threat intelligence efforts.
- Prevents unauthorized disclosure of classified threat reports.
3. Tools for TTP and TLP Analysis
- MITRE ATT&CK – Maps attacker TTPs.
- Shodan – Finds exposed systems on the internet.
- SIEM Tools (Splunk, ELK Stack) – Centralizes log analysis.
4. Best Practices for TTP and TLP Handling
- Use MITRE ATT&CK – To map adversary behavior.
- Regularly Update Threat Feeds – Stay current with evolving threats.
- Follow TLP Guidelines – Ensure proper data classification and secure sharing.
Exercises
- Map an attack using the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
- Analyze a real-world cyber incident and determine its TTPs.
- Classify different types of threat intelligence data using TLP.
Conclusion
TTPs and TLP play a critical role in cybersecurity by helping professionals detect threats, understand attack methods, and share intelligence securely. Mastering these concepts enhances threat hunting, incident response, and overall cybersecurity defense.
