The ISAC advantage for collective threat intelligence

With cyberthreats rapidly increasing in sophistication, today’s CISOs cannot afford to stand alone. To outsmart some of the world’s most ingenious and nefarious criminals, we must pool our knowledge, blend our insights, and present a united front. 

We have a clear and present need to collaborate across sectors, and information sharing and analysis centers (ISACs) offer exactly that. Over 30 years in cybersecurity, I’ve seen how ISACs can equip organizations with timely intelligence, real-world insights, and a powerful industry-wide defense.

ISACs are your industry’s cyber intelligence hub

An ISAC is a member-driven organization that creates a trusted space for CISOs and their organizations to collaborate to share intelligence and strategies for cyberthreats, vulnerabilities, and mitigation with industry peers. A healthcare organization, for example, typically faces different threats than a financial institution or an energy provider. ISACs foster vertical-specific collaboration in which members learn from one another and actively defend against evolving industry threats.

The defense advantage of ISACs

ISACs give substantial advantages to participants, including:

• Real-time threat intelligence: CISOs and their team can get near-instant updates on emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and incidents. With rapid access to this data, ISAC members can act before threats strike or escalate.
• Industry-specific intelligence and context: Sector-focused insights mean members get information tailored to their industry, eliminating irrelevant data and enabling faster, more relevant, targeted action.
• Confidential information sharing: With strict confidentiality agreements, ISACs build an environment where members can safely share sensitive threat data without risking exposure.
• Collective insights and collective defense: By sharing intelligence, ISAC members facing similar threats benefit from strategies developed by other member organizations.
• Experienced resources and expertise: ISACs are collections of cybersecurity experts, threat analysts, and tools that can support and enhance members' defenses.
• Augmented regulatory compliance: For certain sectors, such as financial services, ISAC participation itself may help meet information-sharing regulations that are encouraged or mandated.

ISAC challenges and how to overcome them

In spite of the value provided by ISACs, challenges persist:

• Information overload: The volume of data can be overwhelming, and organizations need processes to filter and prioritize actionable intelligence.
• Resource constraints: Smaller organizations with limited cybersecurity resources may struggle with ISAC participation. However, ISAC insights provide a crucial edge they would otherwise miss.
• Data sensitivity concerns: Some members may feel hesitant to share data due to confidentiality, liability, or reputational concerns. Building trust over time helps overcome these barriers, so my recommendation is to begin your participation now.
• Varying levels of participation: Inevitably, not all members contribute equally, and some consume more than they contribute. Nevertheless, participating organizations retain access to all benefits.
• Cost: Membership fees may be a hurdle for smaller organizations, though volunteering within the ISAC may reduce these costs and offer other incentives.

Incident responses and breaches are evolving

The scope of incident responses has evolved as cyber incidents have become more widespread. Security professionals now emphasize protecting sensitive information and often keep breach details confidential or under legal privilege. However, prompt, authorized information-sharing is essential to the protection of all information. It allows other organizations to take proactive measures against emerging threats that affect us all.

I am not advocating that we share unauthorized information—always consult legal counsel before sharing any incident-related details. But building a community of trust through ISACS allows all organizations to share actionable intelligence and remain within legal and compliance boundaries. In short, when we work together, our defenses grow stronger.

Find your ISAC

ISACs serve a variety of sectors. Some well-known ISACs include:

• Financial Services ISAC (FS-ISAC): Supporting financial institutions like banks and credit unions
• Healthcare ISAC (H-ISAC): Focusing on healthcare and pharmaceuticals
• Energy ISAC (E-ISAC): Serving energy and utility companies
• Aviation ISAC (A-ISAC): For aviation-related organizations
• Retail and Hospitality ISAC (RH-ISAC): Targeting retailers and the hospitality sector
• Automotive ISAC (Auto-ISAC): For automotive manufacturers and suppliers
• State ISAC (MS-ISAC): Focusing on state, local, tribal, and territorial governments

To find an ISAC relevant to your sector, begin with industry association websites or the National Council of ISACS. Government agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) also offer directories.

Engage with your ISAC

Once you’ve found a relevant ISAC, follow these steps to gain the most from your membership:

1. Contact the ISAC: Most ISACS have websites with contact information. Be sure to check your internal stakeholders, such as procurement and legal, before going ahead.
2. Understand membership levels: Many ISACs offer tiered memberships, from basic intelligence feeds to full participation, which can include access to advanced tools and collaboration.
3. Complete the membership process: This typically involves an application, a confidentiality agreement, and membership dues.
4. Establish points of contact: Designate cybersecurity professionals from your team to engage regularly with the ISAC. Building trusted relationships is essential for successful information-sharing.
5. Engage actively: Active participation is important. Attend briefings, share intelligence, and contribute to discussions to get the most out of your membership.

Your ISAC membership becomes invaluable when you participate actively. Share intelligence, engage in working groups, participate in simulation exercises and advocate for information-sharing within your organization and industry. The more we all contribute, the stronger our collective defenses.

Join, engage and lead with ISACs

For any CISO serious about cybersecurity, ISACs offer more than just insight—they are a platform for proactive and collective defense. By joining and engaging with ISACs, you’re not only securing your organization but also strengthening the entire industry’s resilience. It isn’t just about protection; it’s about leading the charge in collective industry defense. CISOs who engage with ISACs position their organizations—and themselves—at the forefront of cybersecurity.

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