What is the primary function of threat intelligence?

The primary function of threat intelligence is to understand and mitigate risks from threats. This involves gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data related to potential threats, vulnerabilities, and adversary behavior, which organizations use to strengthen their security postures. By identifying new and emerging threats, organizations can proactively detect, respond to, and ultimately reduce the likelihood of successful attacks. This continuous cycle of threat intelligence helps in decision-making and enhances an organization's resilience against cyber threats.

In contrast, while historical data can inform analysis, it does not serve as the primary function of threat intelligence, which is focused more on current and future threats. Collecting sensitive personal information is generally not a legitimate purpose of threat intelligence and raises significant legal and ethical issues. Improving employee productivity is unrelated to threat intelligence, as this field focuses specifically on security and risk management rather than operational efficiency or workforce performance.