📚 Visual Threat Intelligence
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Last updated
Geopolitical and Cyber Threat Analysis of the Book 'Visual Threat
Intelligence' – Thomas Roccia
Author: Thomas Roccia
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: June 2023
Introduction Published in June 2023, Visual Threat Intelligence is a groundbreaking visual guide in the realm of cyber threat intelligence (CTI). In an era where cyberattacks shape global power dynamics, this book stands out with its pedagogical and illustrative approach to threat intelligence. Far from being just a technical manual, Thomas Roccia’s work serves as a strategic tool for analysts seeking to decode adversary behaviors in cyberspace.
This analysis examines Visual Threat Intelligence from two perspectives: as a tool for simplifying and transmitting key CTI concepts, and as a lever for understanding contemporary hybrid conflicts.
Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) lies at the heart of modern cybersecurity strategies. Thomas Roccia introduces a novel learning approach, pairing core CTI concepts with visual representations such as the intelligence lifecycle, analytical models (Diamond Model, Pyramid of Pain), sharing protocols (Traffic Light Protocol), and MITRE ATT&CK matrices.
This book is structured to serve both novice analysts and experienced practitioners, progressing from foundational theory to real-world applications. Roccia incorporates powerful infographics that facilitate quick comprehension and operational mobilization of tools.
The book dedicates significant space to understanding attacker groups, their political, economic, and ideological motivations, as well as their operational methods. Using the Diamond Model of Intrusion Analysis, Roccia demonstrates how to correlate tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to build a comprehensive portrait of a malicious actor.
By leveraging MITRE ATT&CK, the analysis aligns with a recognized framework, ensuring standardized documentation and intelligence sharing. However, Roccia also highlights the limitations of attribution, especially in the context of false-flag operations and the complexity of tracking advanced persistent threats (APT).
In later chapters, Roccia examines major cyberattacks of the last decade—NotPetya, Shamoon, Sunburst, HermeticWiper—recontextualizing them within specific geopolitical dynamics. These attacks are not treated as mere technical incidents, but as tangible manifestations of state or ideological rivalries.
For instance, the analysis of NotPetya reveals an economic destruction strategy disguised as ransomware, highlighting a form of information warfare where the objective is destabilization, not financial gain.
What makes this book unique is its consistent use of visual storytelling. Each concept, which may seem complex in other formats, is illustrated with pedagogical infographics. This lowers the entry barrier for new analysts and improves information retention for seasoned professionals. For example, the Traffic Light Protocol (TLP), often unclear in real-world contexts, is illustrated with a concrete use case, making its immediate adoption easier.
This visualization goes beyond aesthetics; it becomes a full-fledged methodological tool. In a field where analysis needs to be rapid and concise, this visual format presents a pragmatic solution to information overload.
Despite its strengths, Visual Threat Intelligence has some shortcomings, particularly the lack of practical demonstrations in operational environments like SIEM or EDR systems. Additionally, the book does not explicitly cover threat hunting approaches based on intelligence. These elements, crucial for activating threat intelligence, could be explored in a follow-up volume focusing on advanced practical applications.
Visual Threat Intelligence emerges as a hybrid work—part manual, part field guide, and part strategic memo. By presenting the threat landscape through accessible representations, Thomas Roccia democratizes cyber intelligence without compromising its rigor. The book serves as both a pedagogical and operational tool for decoding adversary logic in an increasingly polarized cyberspace.
In a world where hybrid conflicts and disinformation are on the rise, this book reminds us that mastering information also means knowing how to represent it. In the face of digital obscurity, visual clarity can become a powerful weapon.
