Cybersecurity teams today face increasingly sophisticated attacks powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation and Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). Traditional reactive security measures are no longer sufficient.
To counter these evolving dangers, organisations must adopt a proactive approach that leverages threat intelligence.
By anticipating potential threats, detecting malicious activities early, and mitigating risks before they escalate, businesses strengthen their defenses. They also maintain resilience in a rapidly changing environment. This shift from reactive to proactive strategies is essential for staying ahead of cybercriminals and safeguarding critical assets while bridging gaps for better cybersecurity.
Insights from a recent study
In a recent study, we surveyed IT professionals across industries and regions to understand how businesses use threat intelligence.
The findings show that an overwhelming majority of organisations in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (81%), along with 80% in South Africa, are satisfied with their available threat intelligence. However, there is still significant room for improvement.
The key areas for enhancement include integration, speed, and relevance, which are crucial for bridging gaps for better cybersecurity.
The critical role of threat intelligence
Threat intelligence goes beyond simple data collection. It provides actionable insights into adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). By studying attacker behaviour, security teams can detect threats earlier, refine defensive strategies, and respond more effectively during and after incidents.
The study highlights that 37% of companies in the META region and 35% in South Africa rely on specialised threat intelligence vendors for curated intelligence. Close to a third (31% and 28% respectively) participate in threat data exchanges with other organisations. Another 30% in the META region and 35% in South Africa gather intelligence from open sources, showing the widespread recognition of threat intelligence’s value.
The importance of threat intelligence in cybersecurity cannot be overstated. It helps organisations stay ahead of evolving threats and adapt their defenses accordingly. Threat intelligence enables proactive risk management and strengthens the ability to anticipate potential attacks before they occur.
The most effective threat intelligence must be timely, reflecting the latest threats. This remains a priority for 40% of respondents in the META region. It must also be actionable, seamlessly integrating into security workflows, a key concern for another 40% of professionals. Additionally, 36% emphasised the need for better analysis, including prioritisation and de-duplication, to make intelligence usable in real-world scenarios.
Key areas for improvement
While most organisations already benefit from threat intelligence, experts identified several areas where improvements could add substantial value. The most pressing need, cited by 24% of respondents in the META region, is easier integration into existing processes. This would allow intelligence to be incorporated more seamlessly into daily security operations.
Another 12% highlighted the importance of better analysis to improve accessibility. Intelligence should be easier to interpret and act upon for security teams. Meanwhile, 8% called for more robust comparative threat analysis across different systems. This would enable organisations to better understand the context and relationships between threats. Speed also plays a critical role, with 12% of respondents emphasising faster intelligence delivery to ensure timely responses to emerging threats. Beyond integration and usability concerns, professionals also prioritise quality and accuracy.
In the META region, 32% stressed the importance of high-quality intelligence that is precise, relevant, and reliable. This avoids false positives and missed threats. Additionally, 32% seek more comprehensive coverage to ensure no critical threats slip through the cracks. These findings underline the importance of broad intelligence sources to maintain a strong security posture and continue bridging gaps for better cybersecurity.
Strengthening the security posture
Navigating today’s threat landscape demands reliable, expert-curated intelligence. Many organisations recognise TI’s value and feel satisfied with their current capabilities. Yet, they continue to seek significant opportunities for improvement, particularly in integration, speed, and relevance.
By investing in these areas, organisations can enhance their ability to respond swiftly and 
accurately to emerging threats. This reduces risk and strengthens their security posture. Partnering with trusted providers like Kaspersky, which offers expert-curated insights and real-time intelligence, empowers businesses to face today’s threat landscape with confidence.
To help InfoSec professionals gain in-depth visibility into cyber threats targeting their organisations, our Threat Intelligence provides rich and meaningful context. It supports the entire incident management cycle and helps identify risks in a timely manner, ensuring that businesses stay ahead of attackers while bridging gaps for better cybersecurity.
Chris Norton | General Manager | Sub-Saharan Africa | Kaspersky | mail me |
