Communicating cyber threat intelligence to government agencies: A guide for CISOs

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Executive Summary

Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) increasingly serve as the crucial bridge between private sector cybersecurity operations and government intelligence agencies. Effective communication of cyber threat intelligence and incidents to government bodies is now a strategic necessity. This report distills recent best practices for CISOs when briefing government intelligence audiences.

Key recommendations include establishing clear message structures (concise executive summaries followed by technical details), using standardized formats like STIX/TAXII for sharing indicators, and applying visual aids to convey complex information. Sector-specific nuances are highlighted across financial institutions, critical infrastructure operators, and healthcare organizations.

CISOs must manage confidentiality through protocols like the Traffic Light Protocol (TLP) and adhere to legal and regulatory requirements. In summary, structured, context-rich communication, backed by standardized tools and trust frameworks, is essential for effectively partnering with government intelligence agencies in combating cyber threats.

Introduction: The Evolving Partnership Between CISOs and Government

Cyber threats have escalated in frequency and sophistication, blurring the line between corporate security incidents and national security concerns. Government intelligence agencies increasingly rely on cyber threat insights from the private sector, while private organizations depend on government warnings and support. This has created a new model of operational collaboration between industry and government, as recommended by national cybersecurity strategies.

The U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission advocated deeper public-private cooperation to defend critical infrastructure. Under the Biden Administration, initiatives like CISA's Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC) were launched to unify cyber defense planning with companies. Modern CISOs frequently brief FBI agents on breach forensics, coordinate with CISA on vulnerability disclosures, and share threat indicators through platforms that feed both government fusion centers and industry peers.

The stakes are high: A single cyber incident at a bank, utility, or hospital can have ripple effects. Government agencies can assist by providing threat intelligence or law enforcement action, but only if CISOs communicate clearly and promptly. Conversely, agencies like CISA rely on industry reports to formulate guidance and warnings for others.

CISOs must treat communication to government partners as a core component of their incident response and risk management strategy.

Best Practices for Communicating Threat Intelligence to Government Agencies

Share Actionable Indicators and Context

Intelligence that drives action is most valuable. Include specific Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) and relevant context such as attacker Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs). Government analysts appreciate concrete data that can be fed into their systems or investigations.

A Government Accountability Office (GAO) review found that private partners wanted more actionable details from government alerts. Supply precise technical details alongside high-level analysis, and map threats to frameworks the government uses, such as MITRE ATT&CK tactics or Kill Chain stages.

Timeliness and Early Engagement

Time is essential during cyber incidents. Establish channels to rapidly notify relevant agencies when a significant breach or threat is detected – even as your internal response is ongoing. Early engagement allows government teams to mobilize resources and potentially provide assistance.

The U.S. Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (2022) requires certain critical sector companies to report major incidents to CISA within tight deadlines. Even when not legally required, proactive briefing demonstrates good faith and enables coordinated response. Maintain incident notification templates to expedite this process.

Use Structured Formats and Standardized Language

Government intelligence professionals are accustomed to structured reports and standardized terminology. Frame your communications in a logical format:

1. Executive Summary (key points and requested actions)

2. Background/Timeline of the incident or intel source

3. Assessment of impact or attribution

4. Indicators/Evidence

5. Recommended Actions or Requests

Adopt intelligence report conventions – such as stating analytic confidence levels ("We assess with high confidence that..."). Consider using established schemas like STIX (Structured Threat Information Expression) when sharing technical details, which enables rich context around threat data. The companion TAXII protocol transmits this data machine-to-machine, allowing CISOs to directly feed indicators to government portals.

Prioritize Clarity over Technical Jargon

Tailor the depth of technical detail to your audience's needs. Avoid overwhelming non-technical officials with internal jargon or too much raw data. Distill the core message in plain terms, then provide technical annexes or follow-up for specialists.

Include a brief "So What?" section in written reports, translating technical findings into implications for public safety, national security, or economic stability – terms that resonate with government stakeholders.

Maintain Accuracy and Don't Speculate Unnecessarily

In intelligence communication, credibility is paramount. Stick to known facts in initial reporting, and clearly separate any hypothesis or preliminary analysis. If attribution to a threat actor is unconfirmed, it's better to say "Actor unknown, but tactics resemble those of APT X" than to definitively assign blame.

If an incident is ongoing or evidence is still being collected, clarify that the situation is evolving. Provide consistent updates as more information becomes available, and promptly correct any errors in earlier information.

Include Defensive and Response Actions Taken

When presenting an incident, outline the steps your organization has taken or plans to take in response to the threat. Mention any assistance needs and whether you've informed other companies. By describing mitigations, you inform agencies of your status and demonstrate due diligence, which encourages reciprocal information sharing.

Sharing implemented courses of action can help the broader community. CISA coordinates defensive measures across sectors; blocking certain IP ranges or hashes can feed into nationwide guidance.

Leverage Community and Alliance Channels

Many CISOs participate in Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs) or other trust groups that include government liaisons. Use these established channels to share intelligence.

Financial sector CISOs can report threats via FS-ISAC, which has direct lines to the Treasury and FBI. The Financial Systemic Analysis & Resilience Center (FSARC) was created to deepen collaboration between banks and U.S. government agencies.

CISOs in other sectors should similarly use their ISACs or information-sharing alliances (Energy-ISAC, Health-ISAC, etc.) to funnel information to the government. These groups often have standardized reporting forms, anonymization options, and set protocols.

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