Automation is a key tool in defending organizations from digital threats, but it has its limitations. Even with advanced technology, up to 80% of security alerts can still be false positives. This is where Human Intelligence (HUMINT) becomes essential in Digital Risk Protection Services (DRPS). HUMINT provides the context and insight that automated systems often miss, turning raw data into actionable intelligence. By combining automation with human expertise, DRPS can more effectively respond to current threats and stay ahead of evolving risks, creating a balanced and proactive approach to digital security.
In order to deliver effective cyber threat intelligence and digital risk protection services, the solution provider must be monitoring and engaging in the areas where evidence of those threats most commonly surface. This requires the solution provider to effectively infiltrate and understand the context of these mediums. Espionage, while often leveraging software, is a human discipline. it requires knowledge about language, behaviors, egos, tribal conflicts, slang, contextual information about the surrounding political environments, etc. Leveraging this knowledge is a key HUMINT skill, and allows the DRPS solution provider to have a digital “ear to the ground” for their customers.
Threat Actors (TA)s move their operations frequently. They disband and regroup. They rebrand or change avatars/personas. TAs engage in internal and external conflict. They are affected by the policies and political winds of their home countries. A practiced HUMINT operator can leverage all of these properties to gain effective and sometimes permanent footholds in to the TA community.
It is at the point of permanence, that a scalable DRPS provider employs technology and software to scale their espionage operations.
Automated tools excel at flagging potential risks based on predefined rules, but understanding the context behind these alerts requires Human Intelligence. For example, when dealing with exposed documents or credential exposures, an automated system might detect that sensitive information has been leaked, but HUMINT is necessary to evaluate the severity of the exposure and filter out any potential false positives. In cybersecurity, context is everything—without it, automated tools are often blind to the full scope of the threat.
Cybercriminals are constantly evolving, using more sophisticated techniques to evade detection. For instance, phishing campaigns may use a combination of spoofed domains, artificial intelligence (AI), and social engineering to trick even the most well-guarded systems. HUMINT has the ability to detect these subtle tactics and understand the broader context of an attack. Additionally, an analyst or researcher can engage directly with threat actors on the dark web, gaining valuable intelligence that automated systems would otherwise miss. The intelligence that is gathered through HUMINT is not always public. This intelligence can help organizations anticipate future attacks, understand the motivations behind specific actions, and even identify the actors behind the attacks in some cases.
Digital risk protection services often generate a flood of alerts, especially when monitoring for issues like domain squatting or phishing attempts. Not all alerts carry the same level of risk, and analysts are essential for determining which ones require immediate attention. For instance, when a very important personnel’s (VIP) personal identifiable information (PII) is exposed, human experts are required to assess whether the exposure is part of a larger targeted campaign, or whether it’s a low-level threat that can be deprioritized. This insight ensures that critical threats are handled with the urgency they deserve while reducing the noise created by less serious issues.
While automated systems are highly effective at recognizing certain patterns, they are often limited to what they have been trained on. Human analysts, on the other hand, are able to recognize more complex and evolving patterns of behavior. By looking at multiple data points and connecting the dots across various incidents, they can uncover larger trends that may have been overlooked.
New tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) emerge regularly, and machines can only respond to these changes after they have been updated with new threat signatures or rules.
A HUMINT analyst can adapt in real-time by identifying emerging threats as they unfold, apply their knowledge of the threat landscape and respond quickly to new risks. In scenarios like dark web monitoring, where new underground forums and marketplaces constantly appear, HUMINT is essential for staying ahead of the curve.
Digital risks are often unique to each organization, meaning there’s no one size fits all solution. HUMINT is needed to craft responses that are tailored to the specific risks an organization faces. Automated systems might suggest general countermeasures, but only human experts can develop a response plan that fits the organization’s unique risk profile and business priorities.
In our rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape, relying solely on automated systems is not enough to protect against complex digital risks. While automation excels at identifying potential threats, its limitations in context and adaptability highlight the importance of Human Intelligence. By combining automation with human expertise, organizations can filter out false positives, prioritize genuine threats, and adapt to new and emerging risks in real time. HUMINT provides the insight needed to understand the full scope of threats, allowing for more tailored and effective responses. Ultimately, the balance between machine-driven efficiency and human intuition creates a stronger, more proactive defense against the constantly shifting tactics of cybercriminals.
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