What happens when you combine the precision of open-source intelligence with the strategic focus of cyber threat intelligence? Aaron Roberts, founder of Prospective Intelligence and author of "Cyber Threat Intelligence: The No-Nonsense Guide for CISOs and Security Managers," reveals the powerful intersection where these disciplines meet.

Aaron's journey from aspiring football coach to cyber threat expert provides a fascinating backdrop to our conversation. After starting in IT support and gradually moving through cybersecurity roles, he discovered the power of OSINT in identifying threats before they materialize. This evolution shaped his unique perspective on threat intelligence - one that values both commercial tools and grassroots solutions from the OSINT community.

The most compelling insights emerge when Aaron discusses the practical realities of threat intelligence on a budget. Rather than viewing financial constraints as limitations, he demonstrates how they can drive innovation. From leveraging free GitHub repositories to repurposing marketing tools for security, Aaron reveals how small and medium businesses can build sophisticated threat detection capabilities without breaking the bank. His mention of C2Tracker - a free tool that can identify command and control infrastructure before many commercial feeds - highlights how open-source approaches sometimes outperform their expensive counterparts.

Perhaps most valuable is Aaron's framework for attack surface intelligence. By examining credentials exposed in data breaches and stealer logs, identifying vulnerabilities in internet-facing systems, monitoring brand sentiment, and detecting typosquat domains, he creates a comprehensive view of organizational risk. This methodology helps companies understand how attackers perceive them - vital intelligence for preemptive defense.

Throughout our discussion, one theme remains constant: effective threat intelligence requires more than technical prowess. Understanding business context, establishing clear intelligence requirements, and communicating findings effectively transform raw data into actionable insights. As Aaron puts it, "You can spend all day writing reports about ransomware groups, but if you don't understand what the business is trying to do, you can't really protect it."

Want to strengthen your organization's security posture through practical, intelligence-led approaches? Connect with us on LinkedIn in the Cyber Threat Intelligence Podcast group to continue the conversation and discover how these principles might apply to your unique security challenges.

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