Tutorial / Cram Notes
Custom threat intelligence (CTI) connectors play a crucial role in enhancing the capabilities of security operations analysts by integrating external threat intelligence feeds into Microsoft security solutions. By configuring CTI connectors in platforms such as Microsoft Sentinel, analysts can proactively identify, prioritize, and respond to potential threats more effectively.
How to Configure Custom Threat Intelligence Connectors
Step 1: Access Your Security Solution
The first step is to locate and access the security solution where you will be configuring the threat intelligence connector. For Microsoft Sentinel, navigate to the Sentinel dashboard in the Microsoft Azure portal.
Step 2: Identify the Threat Intelligence Platform (TIP)
Before configuring the connector, you should identify the external Threat Intelligence Platform (TIP) that you will be using. Some of the popular platforms include Anomali, ThreatConnect, and MISP. Ensure you have the necessary permissions and access credentials for the TIP you are integrating.
Step 3: Configure the Custom Connector
In the Microsoft Sentinel dashboard, navigate to “Data connectors” and then search for the “Threat intelligence – TAXII” connector if you want to connect to a TAXII server. If the connector for your TIP is not listed, you might need to set up a custom connector that could involve several steps like the following:
- Go to ‘Data connectors’ and then select the ‘Open connector page’ option for the applicable connector.
- In the connector’s page, find the instruction section and follow the guidelines provided to set up the connection which may include deploying a function app or running a logic app that will pull threat intelligence from your TIP’s API and push it to Sentinel.
- Read the configuration requirements, such as API endpoint URL, authentication tokens, or access keys, and collect the necessary information.
- Enter the required details in the respective fields.
Step 4: Configure the Data Types
TIPs can offer various data types like indicators of compromise (IoCs), tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), etc. Configure the types of threat intelligence data you intend to ingest into the Microsoft Sentinel from the TIP. This can often be done through the connector settings.
Step 5: Taxonomy and Formatting
Ensure that the data from the TIP is in a format that the security solution can understand. For instance, threat intelligence should be ingested in STIX format when using the TAXII connector in Sentinel. If the TIP does not support STIX/TAXII, you may need to use Azure Functions or Logic Apps to transform the data into the correct format.
Step 6: Automation and Workflows
Once the connector has been set up and is receiving data, use automation rules and workflows in Sentinel to define how this intelligence will be utilized. For example, create analytic rules to generate incidents based on the threat intelligence or use playbooks to automate responses.
Step 7: Validate the Configuration
After configuring the connector, it’s important to validate that the data is being properly ingested and can be used within the security operations center (SOC) workflows. Test some threat intelligence indicators to ensure that they trigger the expected actions or alerts.
Step 8: Monitoring and Maintenance
Constantly monitor the connector’s performance and ensure that the threat intelligence feed is up-to-date and operational. Schedule regular maintenance checks for the connector and update access credentials or API endpoints as required.
Comparison Table: TAXII Connector vs Generic API Connector
| Criteria | TAXII Connector | Generic API Connector |
|---|---|---|
| Format Supported | STIX | Various formats (requires transformation) |
| Standardization | High (uses TAXII/STIX standards) | Varies depending on API |
| Integration Complexity | Standardized and generally straightforward | May require custom code or transformation logic |
| Real-time Update | Usually supported | Depends on the API capabilities |
| Configuration | Typically less complex | May be complex due to custom transformations |
Custom threat intelligence integration can significantly enhance an analyst’s ability to detect and respond to emerging threats effectively. By configuring custom connectors within Microsoft Sentinel or other security solutions, analysts can leverage intelligence from a variety of external sources, enriching the overall security posture of the organization. Remember to adhere to the best practices, such as securing your credentials, periodic reviews of the integration, and staying updated with new features or updates from both Microsoft and the external TIPs.
Practice Test with Explanation
True or False: Custom threat intelligence connectors allow for the ingestion of threat intelligence data directly from external sources like emails and websites.
- Answer: False
Custom threat intelligence connectors in Microsoft 365 security solutions are designed to ingest threat intelligence from external threat intelligence platforms or threat intelligence feeds using standardized formats like STIX/TAXII, not directly from emails or websites.
Which of the following services can use custom threat intelligence connectors to ingest threat data? (Select all that apply)
- A) Azure Sentinel
- B) Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- C) Microsoft Defender for Office 365
- D) Microsoft Cloud App Security
Answer: A, B, C, D
All listed services can use custom threat intelligence connectors to ingest threat data from external sources, enriching their threat detection capabilities.
True or False: Custom threat intelligence connectors can automatically adapt the imported data format to the required format of the Microsoft security service.
- Answer: False
The imported data typically needs to be in a specific format such as STIX (Structured Threat Information eXpression) for ingestion. It is the responsibility of the connector or the data provider to ensure that the data is in the correct format, as the connectors do not perform automatic data format adaptation.
In Azure Sentinel, what data format is most commonly used by custom threat intelligence connectors for data importation?
- A) JSON
- B) CSV
- C) STIX
- D) XML
Answer: C
In Azure Sentinel, the STIX (Structured Threat Information eXpression) format is most commonly used by custom threat intelligence connectors for importing threat intelligence data.
True or False: When configuring custom threat intelligence connectors, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint requires the data to be in CSV format.
- Answer: False
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint primarily supports Threat Intelligence indicators in JSON format following the Microsoft Graph Security API schema, not CSV.
What is required to ingest custom threat indicators in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
- A) A specific API key
- B) Direct access to threat intelligence databases
- C) Office 365 E5 subscription
- D) Permission to access Microsoft Graph Security API
Answer: D
Ingesting custom threat indicators in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint requires permission to access the Microsoft Graph Security API.
True or False: Azure Sentinel supports automated response actions based on ingested threat intelligence from custom connectors.
- Answer: True
Azure Sentinel allows the configuration of automated response actions (playbooks) based on ingested threat intelligence and other event data.
In Microsoft Defender for Office 365, custom threat intelligence is used primarily to enhance which of the following?
- A) Phishing attack protection
- B) Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies
- C) Malware detection
- D) Email filtering
Answer: D
In Microsoft Defender for Office 365, custom threat intelligence is primarily used to enhance email filtering, helping to identify and block malicious emails according to intelligence from external sources.
True or False: The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Platform (MSTIP) connector is a built-in feature in Microsoft 365 security solutions for better integration of custom threat intelligence feeds.
- Answer: True
The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Platform (MSTIP) connector is a feature in Microsoft 365 security solutions intended to integrate threat intelligence from various sources seamlessly.
Which of the following is a standard protocol for the exchange of threat intelligence?
- A) SMTP
- B) TAXII
- C) FTP
- D) HTTP
Answer: B
TAXII (Trusted Automated eXchange of Indicator Information) is a standard protocol designed specifically for the exchange of cyber threat intelligence.
Interview Questions
What is a threat intelligence connector in Microsoft Sentinel?
A A threat intelligence connector in Microsoft Sentinel is an integration that enables the platform to ingest threat intelligence feeds from various sources.
What is the purpose of a custom threat intelligence connector in Microsoft Sentinel?
A A custom threat intelligence connector in Microsoft Sentinel allows organizations to connect to external sources of threat intelligence, such as open-source feeds or paid services, and enrich their security monitoring with additional threat context.
What are the prerequisites for creating a custom threat intelligence connector?
A To create a custom threat intelligence connector, you will need to have an HTTP endpoint that can deliver threat intelligence data in JSON format, as well as an Azure subscription with the appropriate permissions.
What are the steps to create a custom threat intelligence connector in Microsoft Sentinel?
A The steps to create a custom threat intelligence connector in Microsoft Sentinel include creating an Azure Logic App, configuring the HTTP connector, creating the JSON schema, and testing the connector.
What is the purpose of a CEF connector in Microsoft Sentinel?
A A CEF connector in Microsoft Sentinel is used to collect security events in Common Event Format (CEF) from a variety of sources, including firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and security information and event management (SIEM) platforms.
What are the steps to configure a CEF connector in Microsoft Sentinel?
A The steps to configure a CEF connector in Microsoft Sentinel include creating an Azure Logic App, configuring the CEF connector, configuring the parsing rules for CEF events, and testing the connector.
What is the purpose of a Syslog connector in Microsoft Sentinel?
A A Syslog connector in Microsoft Sentinel is used to collect security events in Syslog format from a variety of sources, including Linux and Unix systems, routers, switches, and firewalls.
What are the steps to configure a Syslog connector in Microsoft Sentinel?
A The steps to configure a Syslog connector in Microsoft Sentinel include creating an Azure Logic App, configuring the Syslog connector, configuring the parsing rules for Syslog events, and testing the connector.
What are the benefits of using custom connectors in Microsoft Sentinel?
A Custom connectors in Microsoft Sentinel allow organizations to collect and analyze security data from a wider range of sources, enabling them to detect and respond to security threats more effectively.
How can organizations validate the effectiveness of their custom connectors in Microsoft Sentinel?
A Organizations can validate the effectiveness of their custom connectors in Microsoft Sentinel by using the testing and troubleshooting tools provided in the platform, as well as by monitoring the performance and reliability of the connectors over time.
Can someone explain how to set up a custom threat intelligence connector in Microsoft Sentinel?
Is there a way to automate the ingestion of threat intelligence data?
Appreciate the blog post!
Can custom threat intelligence connectors pull data in real-time?
I’ve been struggling to get custom indicators of compromise (IoCs) integrated. Any tips?
Is there an option to filter the threat data we ingest?
The documentation could be more detailed. Had a tough time setting things up initially.
Do custom connectors support bi-directional data flow?