Definition
Intelligence is useless if it is not communicated effectively. CTI Reporting is the skill of translating complex technical data (IOCs, malware code) into clear, actionable insights for decision-makers. A report must answer the "So What?" question immediately.
Purpose and Core Idea
The goal is to drive action. An executive reading a report about "APT29" needs to know if they should increase the budget for endpoint protection or if the risk is low. To achieve this, analysts use standard analytic writing techniques like BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) and Estimative Language.
The BLUF Method
Executives do not have time to read a 20-page technical breakdown. The most important information must be in the first paragraph.
- Bad: "On Monday, we observed traffic from IP 1.2.3.4..." (Too chronological).
- Good (BLUF): "We assess with high confidence that a ransomware attack is imminent against our finance department due to observed credential leaks." (Conclusion first).
Estimative Language (The Yardstick)
Analysts must never express certainty unless it is a fact. Use standardized probability terms (e.g., ICD 203 standards):
- Almost Certain: >90% probability.
- Likely/Probable: 55-85% probability.
- Roughly Even Chance: 45-55% probability.
- Unlikely: 15-45% probability.
Mini Case Study: The Target Breach (Communication Failure)
In the massive 2013 Target breach, the security team's tools (FireEye) actually detected the malware.
- The Failure: The alerts were technical and buried in logs. They were not translated into a Strategic Intelligence report that clearly articulated the business risk to leadership.
- The Lesson: A technical detection without a clear report is widely ignored.
Usage in Real CTI Workflows Reports are typically disseminated via email or a TIP (Threat Intelligence Platform) using the Traffic Light Protocol (TLP) to control who can read them.