The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Threat intelligence THIN

Developing and sharing actionable insights on current and potential security threats to the success or integrity of an organisation.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

  • Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Making SFIA easier to consume (enhance readability/guidance/descriptions).
  • You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
  • Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping are not impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • gathering data from a variety of open or proprietary intelligence sources
  • processing and classifying threat data to make it useful and actionable by others
  • packaging the data for use by consumers of the information
  • enabling the use of the data automatically by security tools
  • providing threat intelligence to help others mitigate vulnerabilities or to respond to security incidents
  • collaborating with internal teams and external partners to enhance threat detection capabilities
  • analysing trends in cyber threats to predict future attack vectors
  • developing threat intelligence frameworks and methodologies.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...
  • Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

  • Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
  • Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
  • Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

2 3 4 5 6

Threat intelligence: Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Contributes to routine threat intelligence gathering tasks.

Monitors and detects potential security threats and escalates in accordance with relevant procedures and standards.

Threat intelligence: Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Performs routine threat intelligence gathering tasks.

Transforms collected information into a data format that can be used for operational security activities.

Cleans and converts quantitative information into consistent formats.

Threat intelligence: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Collates and analyses information for threat intelligence requirements from a variety of sources.

Contributes to reviewing, ranking and categorising qualitative threat intelligence information.

Creates threat intelligence reports.

Evaluates the value, usefulness and impact of threat intelligence sources.

Threat intelligence: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Plans and manages threat intelligence activities.

Identifies the most impactful threat categories and types of information that can help defend against them. Reviews, ranks and categorises qualitative threat intelligence information.

Provides expert advice on threat intelligence activities.

Leads the production and editing of threat intelligence reports that enhance the intelligence production workflow. Distributes information and obtains feedback about the value, usefulness and impact of the data.

Threat intelligence: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

Sets direction, plans and leads the organisation’s approach to threat intelligence, including the use of suppliers.

Identifies requirements for threat intelligence based on the assets to be protected and the types of intelligence that can help protect those assets.

Engages with and influences relevant stakeholders to communicate results of research and the required response.

Ensures quality and accuracy of threat intelligence information. Reviews threat intelligence capabilities.

Keywords
Guidance notes