Advanced persistent threats (APTs) are a type of cyber attack in which an attacker establishes a long-term presence on a target network to stealthily exfiltrate sensitive information. These attacks are often carried out by nation-state actors or well-funded criminal groups, and can be highly sophisticated and evasive.
APT analysis is the process of identifying, tracking, and mitigating APT attacks. To effectively analyze APTs, it is important to have a systematic approach and to use the right resources. Some of the common tactics used in APT analysis include:
Network traffic analysis: This involves analyzing network traffic to identify patterns and connections that may indicate an APT attack.
Attribution: This is the process of identifying the individual or group behind an APT attack.
Host-based analysis: This involves analyzing the systems and devices that have been affected by an APT attack to identify the malware and techniques used by the attackers.
Indicator of compromise (IOC) identification: This involves identifying unique characteristics of an APT attack, such as specific files, IP addresses, or domain names, that can be used to identify and block future attacks.
Collaboration: This involves sharing information and working with other researchers and organizations to gain a comprehensive understanding of an APT attack.
There are several websites and resources available to assist researchers in tracking and analyzing APT attacks. Some of the popular websites include:
APT Notes: This website provides in-depth analysis and research on APT attacks and threat actors.
CERT-EU: This website provides information and resources on APT attacks and other cyber threats specifically targeting EU countries
APT groups: This website provides a list of APT groups and their known activities and tools
MITRE ATT&CK: This website provides a comprehensive knowledge base of tactics and techniques used by APT actors and other threat groups
Cyber Threat Alliance: This website provides a collaborative platform for sharing threat intelligence and research on APT attacks and threat actors.
It's worth noting that APT attacks can be extremely difficult to detect and analyze due to their stealthy nature, so a comprehensive and multi-layered approach is essential. This includes monitoring and logging all network activity, keeping software and systems up-to-date, and educating employees on security best practices.
In summary, Advanced persistent threats (APTs) are a type of cyber attack that are often carried out by nation-state actors or well-funded criminal groups. To effectively analyze APTs, it is important to have a systematic approach and to use the right resources, including network traffic analysis, attribution, host-based analysis, indicator of compromise identification, and collaboration. Websites like APT Notes, CERT-EU, APT groups, MITRE ATT&CK, Cyber Threat Alliance are good resources for researchers to gain more insights on APT landscape.
