From Cargo Theft to Cyber Threats: An Intelligence Journey - Interview with Scott Small (S1E3)

In this conversation, Scott Small, Director of Cyber Threat Intelligence at Tidal Cyber, shares his journey into the field of CTI, discussing his background, current responsibilities, and the importance of curiosity and empathy in intelligence analysis. He emphasizes the role of AI and open-source intelligence in enhancing threat detection and response, while also addressing the challenges of implementing threat-informed defense strategies. The discussion highlights stakeholder engagement, the value of writing in intelligence, and the need for continuous learning and networking within the cybersecurity community.TakeawaysCuriosity is essential for success in intelligence analysis.Writing helps clarify thoughts and improve analytical skills.AI is transforming the landscape of cybersecurity and threat intelligence.Stakeholder engagement is crucial for effective intelligence sharing.Open-source intelligence provides valuable insights for threat analysis.Empathy allows analysts to understand diverse perspectives in intelligence.Structured analytic techniques enhance the quality of intelligence analysis.Networking within the cybersecurity community fosters collaboration and learning.Trustworthy sources are vital for accurate intelligence gathering.Incident-driven intelligence can lead to proactive security measures.Resources references mentionedTidal Cyber web site - https://www.tidalcyber.com/ What are TTPs - https://csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/tactics_techniques_and_procedures Cyber Kill Chain - https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/capabilities/cyber/cyber-kill-chain.html Unified Kill chain - https://www.unifiedkillchain.com/ my LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmurre/ my GitHub - https://github.com/Errum/IntelArchitectureMap Katie Nickels - CTI study plan 1 - https://medium.com/katies-five-cents/a-cyber-threat-intelligence-self-study-plan-part-1-968b5a8daf9a Katie Nickels - CTI study plan 2 - https://medium.com/katies-five-cents/a-cyber-threat-intelligence-self-study-plan-part-2-d04b7a529d36 Curated Intel CTI fundamentals - https://github.com/curated-intel/CTI-fundamentals Intelligence Tradecraft Structured Analytic Techniques (SAT) training - https://inteltradecraft.com/sat-certifications Workshop I teach at FIRST CTI - https://www.first.org/conference/firstcti25/program#pIntelligence-Collection-Planning-Workshop-How-to-Create-A-Plan-that-Synchronizes-Collection-with-Your-Stakeholders-Needs NFCERT CTL - https://communication.nfcert.org/hubfs/CTL_Reports/2025%20TLP_CLEAR%20NFCERT%20Cyber%20Threat%20Landscape%20(CTL)%20Report%20v1.0.pdfChapters00:00 Introduction to Cyber Threat Intelligence02:47 Scott Small's Background and Career Path06:10 Understanding Threat Informed Defense08:59 The Role of TTPs in Cybersecurity11:51 The Importance of Storytelling in Cyber Intelligence15:05 Challenges in Implementing Threat Informed Defense17:52 The Role of AI and Machine Learning in Cyber Intelligence21:01 Evaluating Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)23:56 Identifying Trustworthy Sources in Cyber Intelligence26:59 Lessons Learned from Mistakes in Cyber Intelligence29:44 Case Study: Analyzing the Akira Ransomware Group33:10 Future of Cyber Threat Intelligence38:06 Navigating the Landscape of Cyber Threat Intelligence43:37 The Path to Becoming a Cyber Intelligence Analyst46:08 The Importance of Writing in Cyber Intelligence49:31 Essential Skills for a Successful Analyst51:14 Structured Analytical Techniques in Cyber Intelligence54:30 Implementing Intelligence Tradecraft in Organizations58:02 Proactive vs. Reactive Intelligence01:01:33 The Role of AI in Cyber Threat Intelligence01:09:53 The Future of Automated Threats and Defenses01:15:15 The Value of Networking and Community in Cyber IntelligenceThis conversation is a compressed edit of an interview Freddy has conducted as part of his PhD research. The interview was recorded in April 23rd, 2025 during the FIRST CTI Conference in Berlin.