Threat intelligence that supports a decision
Define the question, assess the evidence and turn relevant threat intelligence into a recorded defensive action.
A threat report becomes useful when someone can explain which decision it informs, why its evidence is relevant and what happens next. This section helps a small security or IT team build that connection without assuming that it needs another platform or subscription.
The NCSC describes several kinds of intelligence, from technical indicators to accounts of attacker behaviour and broader context. Their value depends on the monitoring and defensive work your organisation can actually carry out. A large collection is not, by itself, an effective capability.
Start with the question in front of you
| Your situation | Start here | Leave with |
|---|---|---|
| People send you reports, but nobody knows what to do with them | Define intelligence requirements | A specific question, named decision owner and deadline |
| Several sources repeat a worrying claim | Assess a source | A record of evidence, uncertainty and relevance |
| A credible report describes behaviour your organisation might encounter | Turn intelligence into action | An assigned action, validation method and review point |
Keep analysis and response connected
Suppose a colleague forwards a report about account misuse. Your first task is to find out whether the described service and access arrangement exist in your organisation. If they do, identify the owner who can inspect the relevant configuration or records. If they do not, document that limit instead of creating an unowned urgent ticket.
An intelligence assessment may recommend investigation. An incident responder still needs to establish what happened locally. Use the triage guide when you have a suspected event, and the remediation guide when you have a verified weakness to fix.
How to use the examples
The scenarios in these guides are fictional teaching examples. They illustrate how to record reasoning and uncertainty; their invented observations are not reports of current attacks. Adapt the questions to your systems, available evidence and responsibilities. Only collect or inspect information you are authorised to handle.
Sources and further reading
- NCSC: Building a Security Operations Centre — Threat Intelligence — checked 2 November 2026