Critical Start Releases First Half 2023 Cyber Threat Intelligence Report  

As threat actors and their TTPs (tactics, techniques, and procedures) continue to evolve, the importance of effective cyber threat intelligence (CTI) cannot be overstated. Critical Start recently released our First Half (H1) 2023 Cyber Threat Intelligence Report, led by our CTI team, where we dive into the pervasive threats we have seen over the past six months, and explore emerging trends and impacted industries. By leveraging the insights from this research report, organizations can make informed decisions, allocate resources efficiently, and enhance their defenses against prevalent and evolving threats. 

During the first quarter of 2023, the Critical Start security operations center (SOC) experienced notable increases in the number of investigated alerts, alerts escalated to customers, and alerts of high or critical priority. These statistics highlight the growing urgency and sophistication of cyberattacks. A few key trends identified include: 

1. A rise in two-step phishing attacks 

2. The emergence of Beep malware causing concern for organizations and individuals 

3. An increased number of state-sponsored cyber espionage activities 

Top 10 Threats of H1 2023 

To provide actionable insights to the threat intelligence community, the Critical Start CTI team has compiled a list of the top 10 threats seen during H1 2023. Each threat section includes an executive summary and a link to the full research report for a comprehensive technical deep dive.  

A few of our Top 10 Threats include: 

• LockBit’s New Variant 
• Emotet’s Return 
• Microsoft Outlook Zero-Day Exploited in the Wild   
• BlackLotus 
• Clasiopa 

How to Best Protect your Organization 

To effectively protect your organization against the emerging and evolving threats discussed in the report, it is crucial to implement comprehensive security measures, including: 

• Employee Training and Awareness Focus 
• Implement MFA 
• Teach employees how to recognize phishing emails 
• Regular Security Protocol Updates 
• Collaboration with Trusted Partners 
• Critical Start’s Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services, powered by our Zero-Trust Analytics Platform® (ZTAP)®, deliver 24x7x365 investigation and response capabilities.

By combining robust security protocols, employee training, and partnerships with trusted security providers like Critical Start, organizations can enhance their security posture and effectively mitigate emerging threats. Critical Start’s MDR and CTI services, backed by expertise and advanced technologies, offer comprehensive solutions to protect your organization’s assets and infrastructure. Connect with an expert from Critical Start to learn more about our MDR and CTI services today. 

 
Note: This blog post provides an overview of the Cyber Threat Intelligence Research report and highlights some of the top threats. To access the complete report and detailed analysis of each threat, refer to the full research report linked here. 
 
About Critical Start CTI 
Critical Start’s Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) team proactively monitors emerging threat developments by leveraging a range of intelligence sources, including open-source intelligence, social media monitoring, and dark web monitoring. As part of the Critical Start Cyber Research Unit (CRU), the CTI team collaborates closely with the Security Engineering and SOC teams to implement relevant detections and provide timely updates on emerging threats. To stay informed about the latest threat landscape, follow the Critical Start Intelligence Hub for future updates.