Significance of MITRE ATT&CK framework

ATT&CK is a framework introduced by MITRE corporation in 2013 that describes the adversary’s attack cycle phases. ATT&CK is an abbreviation of Adversarial Tactics, Techniques & common knowledge. The framework provides a globally accessed knowledge base classifying the known adversarial attacks and compiling them into tactics and techniques. It gives red teams, the blue team, and security analysts a common language to address adversaries’ behavior.

The ATT&CK framework helps organizations to the risks after the security incident has occurred. Security teams can determine the sequence of steps adversaries may follow to break in and how they operate within the network infrastructure. The threat hunters and defenders use these tactics and techniques for evaluating the vulnerabilities in an organization.

Understanding MITRE ATT&CK framework

It is essential to have a brief overview of matrices to understand the MITRE ATT&CK framework, techniques, and sub techniques stated in the ATT&CK framework.

Matrices of ATT&CK Framework  

ATT&CK Framework describes three matrices that consist of tactics and techniques associated with them. The three matrices of the ATT&CK framework are:

• Enterprise: Enterprise matrix deals with the tactics and techniques for the Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.
• Mobile: Mobile matrix deals with the tactics and techniques for the android and iOS platforms.
• PRE-ATT&CK: The PRE-ATT&CK matrix describes the tactics and techniques used by an attacker before attacking a target organization.

Core components of ATT&CK framework 

Tactics: Tactics are the short-term goals that the adversary wants to achieve during an attack. ATT&CK Framework has eleven tactics:

• Initial Access
• Execution
• Persistence
• Privilege Escalation
• Defense Evasion
• Credential Access
• Discovery
• Lateral Movement
• Collection
• Exfiltration   

Techniques and Sub-techniques: Techniques outlines how adversaries can achieve their objectives. Sub-techniques further describe how the behavior is used to achieve a goal.

Applications of MITRE ATT&CK framework?

Applications of MITRE ATT&CK framework are as follows:

• Integration of MITRE ATT&CK with different tools
  The integration of ATT&CK’s tactics and techniques with different tools and services can strengthen the security posture. It is already integrated into automated SIEM solutions. IBM QRadar, Sentinal, Alienvault USM are already getting integrated with tactics and techniques of ATT&CK Framework.

• Information sharing
  Whenever addressing any threat actor, attack, or group security analysts, defenders, and IR teams can use ATT&CK tactics and techniques as a common language.

• The blue team can use MITRE for creating a defensive strategy
  Blue teams can understand the tactics and techniques used by adversaries to target an organization and employ defense strategies and mitigation strategies accordingly.

• The red team use it for planning attacks
  The red team can plan strategies to test their security posture by following the adversarial emulation plan and modeling different tactics. The ATT&CK framework can also help red teams develop new techniques that cannot be identified by common defenses.

• Using ATT&CK with cyber threat intelligence
  ATT&CK comes of great use in problem-solving when clubbed with threat intelligence. It provides an organized way to explain the tactics, techniques, and behavior of the adversaries. Both defender and security analysts can get benefitted from ATT&ck Framework and create a response program to thwart potential threats.

• Used in improving the efficiency of SOC
  A security operations center (SOC) team can use the tactics and techniques of ATT&CK to improve its efficiency. The team can anticipate attackers’ behavior by observing their techniques, tactics, and procedures used in the past. It also helps them evaluate their defensive strength and unravel misconfigurations and operational concerns.

Why do we need a MITRE ATT&CK training course?

Mitre ATT&CK provides a common standardized language for organizations, government agencies, and security professionals to share threat intelligence. ATT&CK training helps candidates to validate their skills to prevent or address any potential cyber attack. After completing the training course, candidates will be able to:

• Setting up the appropriate environment to implement the ATT&CK framework
• Documenting the adversarial behavior
• Detecting and investigating attacks after post compromising
• Understanding the importance of ATT&ck for cyber threat intelligence
• Analyzing threat intelligence using ATT&ck
• Recommending security measures after CTI analysis
• Storing the mapped data of the ATT&CK Framework

MITRE ATT&CK training with Infosec Train

Infosec Train is among the pioneers in advanced IT security training providers whose trainings and security services are trusted by consumers worldwide. Our MITRE ATT&CK training is an excellent opportunity for candidates to learn from industry experts about implementing the ATT&CK framework to strengthen their organization’s overall security infrastructure.

Get yourself enrolled today!

AUTHOR
Shubham Bhatt ( )
Infosec Train

“ Shubham Bhatt holds a bachelor's degree in computer science & engineering. He is passionate about information security and has been writing on it for the past three years. Currently, he is working as a Content Writer & Editor at Infosec Train. “