Combining NDR and CTI: The strategic alliance
for proactive cyber defense

As cyberattacks become increasingly frequent and sophisticated, organizations must strengthen their vigilance to anticipate and respond to threats. Yet too often, companies find themselves in a reactive posture, responding only after the damage is done. A strategic alliance between two powerful tools – Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) and Network Detection and Response (NDR) – may be the key to shifting toward a more proactive approach.

The cyber threat landscape has evolved into a multifaceted battleground. According to the latest report from the World Economic Forum, cyberattacks are now considered one of the most significant risks facing businesses – surpassing even global economic threats. Cybercriminals, whether organized or opportunistic, are using increasingly sophisticated techniques: from exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities to encrypting data to mask their activity. Faced with this growing complexity, how can companies hope to detect and stop attacks before they impact their infrastructure?

This is where the combination of CTI and NDR comes into play. When used together, these two technologies provide a more cohesive and comprehensive approach to detecting, understanding, and responding to threats.

Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) refers to the collection of information about current and emerging threats. This intelligence helps identify the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by attackers. But why is this so critical to network security? The answer lies in the ability to understand attacks before they happen.

By integrating contextual intelligence into an NDR system, knowledge becomes a powerful strategic asset. Organizations can enhance their detection capabilities by identifying more targeted attack behaviors. The goal is no longer just to observe signs of an attack, but to contextualize them with specific intelligence about the threat actors involved.

NDR, or Network Detection and Response, is a system designed to monitor network activity, detect anomalies, and respond automatically. When combined with CTI, detection capabilities are significantly enhanced.

Let’s look at a concrete example. A company using an NDR solution enriched with CTI can not only detect abnormal activity on its network but also instantly determine whether the activity corresponds to a known threat actor or campaign. If the behavior matches that of a known cybercriminal group exploiting specific vulnerabilities, the response can be immediately tailored. This real-time anticipation allows companies to stop an attack before it escalates—boosting overall cyber resilience.

Many companies still underestimate the importance of complete visibility across their networks. Attacks exploiting the “exposure surface” – the vulnerable area made up of internal and external assets – have become increasingly common.

An NDR system with integrated CTI helps identify where and how attackers might infiltrate a network by deeply analyzing internal and external connections. The most complex threats, such as zero-day exploits or encrypted traffic, can be quickly identified thanks to this deeper understanding of malicious activities and their objectives.

The real challenge is rapid detection, especially when it comes to advanced or unknown attacks – those hiding in encrypted traffic or remaining dormant until activation. An NDR alone can flag anomalies, but when this data is enriched with CTI, detection becomes more accurate and relevant.

By integrating contextual data, an attack that might have gone unnoticed in a standard system can be linked to a specific vulnerability or a threat actor already listed in CTI databases.

Response time is another critical factor in countering cyber threats. Once a threat is detected, action must be taken immediately. One of the greatest strengths of the CTI-NDR synergy is the ability to automate responses. This allows for the quick neutralization of malicious activity, such as unusual connections or reconnaissance attempts.

Automated response enables incident handling based on severity and business impact, thus reducing Mean Time to Respond (MTTR). Using rich intelligence and predefined attack scenarios, a Security Operations Center (SOC) can focus on priority alerts – improving both efficiency and resource allocation.

Ultimately, integrating CTI into the detection and response processes of an NDR enables a more mature level of cybersecurity. The organization shifts from a reactive to a proactive threat management strategy. NDR becomes not just a monitoring tool but a strategic lever, empowering companies to anticipate, understand, and respond to threats with greater precision.

In short, the combination of NDR and CTI transforms how businesses prepare for cyber threats. By better understanding attacker intent, detecting threats faster, and responding more effectively, they not only strengthen their security posture but also their ability to defend against an increasingly complex threat landscape.