How to Become a Threat Hunter

Threat Hunters are cybersecurity professionals who proactively search for hidden threats in an organization's network using advanced techniques and tools. Unlike SOC Analysts, Threat Hunters mainly detect threats actively rather than responding to alerts. Threat Hunters should have a deep knowledge of network security, malware analysis, and scripting languages. This role requires continuous learning and certifications such as GCTI, CTIA, and CTHP. Threat Hunters collaborate closely with other cybersecurity teams to improve detection capabilities and share critical findings, playing a vital role in preventing significant cyber threats.

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Job Description

Today, cyberattacks are increasing day by day. These cyberattacks sometimes threaten people in critical positions, critical institutions, and private companies. There are people working in institutions and companies against these threats who have responsibilities such as monitoring, examining, and analyzing the alerts that occur. However, it is essential to act proactively against these threats. SOC Analysts and Threat Hunters examine the alerts and cases. In addition, threat hunters are cyber security personnel who proactively investigate cyber threats in the organization's or company's network, unlike other cybersecurity personnel. People in this role are critical for companies because they ensure that threats are detected before they cause significant damage and that necessary actions are taken early. Threat Hunters are responsible for uncovering hidden threats, analyzing complex data, and developing and implementing threat strategies. They use advanced techniques and various tools to do this.

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Job Requirements

There are typical job requirements for someone who wants to become a Threat Hunter. The relevant job requirements are shared below.

• They are usually expected to have a bachelor's degree in computer science, information security, or a similar field. However, experience and competencies can sometimes offset the requirement for a degree.
• They should have advanced knowledge in network security, attack detection, and response, security incident management (SIEM), technical knowledge of security devices (AV, EDR, FW, Proxy, IPS/IDS, etc.), and Forensics tools (Autopsy, Volatility, EnCase, FTK, etc.).
• It is important to have high-level analytical capabilities to understand security threats, analyze attacks, and respond effectively.
• They should master both automated tools and manual techniques to detect hidden threats within the network.
• They are expected to have advanced level knowledge of Linux, Windows, and Cloud.
• It is important for Threat Hunters to have experience in Malware Analysis, Reverse Engineering, and Forensics.
• They are expected to have a good command of languages such as Python, Powershell, or Bash for automation and analysis.
• They are expected to have in-depth knowledge of network protocols, architecture, and security.
• They should have an advanced level of knowledge about operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS.
• People in the Threat Hunter role are expected to have more advanced-level certifications. Examples of such certifications are CTHP (Certified Threat Hunting Professional), CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), and GCIH (Certified Incident Handler Certification).
• They should have the ability to learn continuously and be open to development.

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Differences between SOC Analyst

Both SOC Analysts and Threat Hunters play crucial roles in the cyber security strategy of an organization or company. However, there is a significant difference in their approach to cyber threats, responsibilities, skill sets, and mindsets. SOC analysts generally aim to respond to immediate threats and protect security systems. The main difference between Threat Hunters and SOC analysts is that Threat Hunters proactively search for undetected cyber threats.

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SOC Analyst 

• SOC analysts focus on monitoring, analyzing, and taking action regarding alerts that occur in security products.
• They manage security systems (e.g. SIEM, firewalls, IDS/IPS).
• They continuously monitor network traffic, system logs, and alerts to identify potential security breaches.
• They coordinate with incident response teams to remediate security incidents.
• They ensure that security tools and systems are properly configured and updated.

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Threat Hunter

• They actively search for threats that may not have been detected by automated security tools.
• They detect hidden or undisclosed threats using advanced techniques and tools.
• They develop hypotheses about potential threats based on threat intelligence and industry trends.
• They perform an in-depth analysis of the network and system to uncover IOCs and APTs.
• They work closely with other cybersecurity teams to improve detection capabilities and share findings.
• They have a high level of knowledge in scripting (e.g. Python, PowerShell) to automate threat hunting tasks.
• They deeply analyze the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) of the attacker.

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Required Skills

Threat Hunters are expected to have the following technical skills by their employers. They are generally expected to have an advanced level of knowledge and experience in these skills.

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• Advanced Threat Detection
• Scripting and Programming Knowledge
• Advanced PowerShell, Bash, and Cmd Analysis
• Threat Intelligence
• Malware Analysis
• Vulnerability Analysis
• Cloud Security
• Data Analysis

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Threat Hunters effectively identify and analyze undetected cyber threats by mastering the above skills and tools, and ensure that the necessary actions are taken. In this way, they can play a crucial role in an organization or company's cyber security defense strategy.

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Courses and Certificates

Some companies or organizations expect you to have certain certifications or to prove that you are competent in this field before hiring you as a Threat Hunter. Therefore, you should obtain internationally recognized certifications such as GIAC Certified Threat Intelligence (GCTI), Certified Threat Intelligence Analyst (CTIA) and Certified Threat Hunting Professional (CTHP). In addition to certificates, you should take various trainings to ensure development in the field of cyber security. Below are a few training links that will be useful for those who want to improve themselves in the field of threat hunting.

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• SANS Threat Hunting Courses
• Threat Hunting Professional (Infosec Institute) 
• Purpose and Methods of Threat Hunting  

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Conclusion

Threat hunting is a critical aspect of modern cybersecurity and is essential for proactively identifying and mitigating threats before they can cause significant harm. As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, the role of Threat Hunters in protecting organizations becomes vital. These professionals go beyond simply responding to alerts; they examine the network to uncover hidden threats, analyze complex data and develop strategies to counter potential attacks.

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This blog post provides a detailed step-by-step guide on how to become a Threat Hunter. First, we explained the roles and responsibilities of Threat Hunters and then examined the skills and abilities required to be successful in this field. In addition, we emphasized the main differences between SOC analysts and Threat Hunters and discussed the training and certification processes of becoming a Threat Hunter. This article aims to provide information and resources to help you succeed in becoming a Threat Hunter. We hope it will be useful for everyone who wants to become a Threat Hunter!

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References

https://www.ibm.com/topics/threat-hunting

https://www.sans.org/cyber-security-courses/advanced-incident-response-threat-hunting-training/

https://www.cybrary.it/course/advanced-cyber-threat-intelligence-2020-07-09

https://app.letsdefend.io/training/lesson_detail/purpose-and-methods-of-threat-hunting

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