Legal & Ethical AspectsCyber Threat Intelligence
Understand the legal framework and ethical principles for practicing CTI in a responsible manner and in compliance with international regulations
Legal disclaimer
This guide is provided for informational purposes only. It is not a legal opinion. Always consult with a lawyer specializing in cybersecurity law for questions specific to your situation.
International Legal Frameworks
Main regulations governing the practice of Cyber Threat Intelligence
GDPR
European Union
- Personal data protection
- Consent required for processing
- Fines up to 4% of global revenue
💡 CTI platforms must anonymize personal data
NIS2 Directive
European Union
- Network and systems security
- Mandatory incident notification
- Cooperation between Member States
💡 Legal framework for IOC sharing and CTI cooperation
CFAA (USA)
United States
- Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
- Prohibits unauthorized system access
- Civil and criminal penalties
💡 Prohibits CTI collection via unauthorized systems
Budapest Convention
68 signatory countries
- First treaty on cybercrime
- International cooperation
- Harmonization of legislations
💡 Legal basis for international CTI sharing
Ethical Principles of CTI
Beyond legal obligations, follow these principles
TLP (Traffic Light Protocol)
Respect confidentiality levels
- → TLP:RED - Strictly limited distribution
- → TLP:AMBER - Organizational sharing
- → TLP:GREEN - Community sharing
- → TLP:WHITE - Public distribution
Responsible attribution
Be cautious in attack attribution
- → Verify your sources multiple times
- → Avoid hasty conclusions
- → Document your confidence level
- → Consider false flags
Source protection
Protect your sources and methods
- → Don't reveal sensitive sources
- → Encrypt your CTI data
- → Respect confidentiality agreements
- → Protect informants
Fair sharing
Contribute to the CTI community
- → Share IOCs with the community
- → Participate in MISP/OpenCTI platforms
- → Respect reciprocity
- → Don't monetize sensitive data
Ready to practice CTI ethically?
Explore our practical cases to apply these principles