OpenCTI: A Comprehensive Open-Source Platform for Cyber Threat Intelligence

OpenCTI (Open Cyber Threat Intelligence) has rapidly emerged as a cornerstone platform for organizations seeking to manage, structure, and visualize cyber threat intelligence (CTI) data.

Developed by Filigran, OpenCTI is an open-source solution designed to centralize technical and non-technical threat information, leveraging modern standards and integrations to deliver actionable insights for security teams worldwide.

A Modern Architecture Built for Integration

At its core, OpenCTI utilizes a knowledge schema based on the STIX2 standard, ensuring interoperability and robust data structuring.

The platform features a modern web application architecture, comprising a GraphQL API backend and a user-friendly frontend.

This design enables flexible, efficient data retrieval and seamless integration with leading threat intelligence tools such as MISP, TheHive, and the MITRE ATT&CK framework.

The GraphQL API is a technical highlight, allowing users to craft precise queries that return only the data needed, reducing overhead and improving performance.

For example, a typical GraphQL query for retrieving threat actor information might look like:

graphqlquery {
  threatActors {
    name
    description
    firstSeen
    lastSeen
    confidence
  }
}

This approach empowers analysts to interact programmatically with the platform, automate workflows, and integrate OpenCTI into broader security operations.

Key Features and Technical Capabilities

OpenCTI is designed as a knowledge graph, linking entities such as TTPs (Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures), observables, reports, and victimology.

Each data point is traceable to its primary source, supporting features like:

• Interlinking Data Points: Establishing relationships between indicators, campaigns, threat actors, and more.
• Temporal Tracking: Recording first and last seen dates for entities.
• Confidence Levels: Assigning and visualizing confidence scores to intelligence items.
• MITRE ATT&CK Integration: Structuring and mapping threats using the ATT&CK framework via a dedicated connector.
• Custom Datasets: Allowing organizations to import proprietary or sector-specific data for tailored intelligence.

The platform supports both import and export of data in multiple formats, including CSV and STIX2 bundles, facilitating interoperability with external systems.

Connectors accelerate data exchange between OpenCTI and other platforms, ensuring that intelligence flows efficiently throughout the security stack.

Enterprise-Grade Editions and Telemetry

OpenCTI is available in two editions: Community (CE) and Enterprise (EE).

The Community Edition is licensed under Apache 2.0 and provides robust core features for free.

The Enterprise Edition, activated via platform settings, introduces advanced capabilities and is governed by a specific enterprise license.

The source code for both editions remains open, but EE features are subject to additional terms.

Telemetry is a key component in recent releases. OpenCTI 6.1 and above use the OpenTelemetry library to collect anonymized usage metrics, such as platform version, active users, node count, and connector status.

These metrics are exported in OpenTelemetry JSON format, either to local files or securely via OTLP over HTTPS.

This data helps the development team optimize performance and enhance user experience, while ensuring compliance with privacy regulations-no personal or threat intelligence data is collected.

Deployment and Community

OpenCTI supports multiple deployment options, including Docker, manual installation, Terraform, and Helm charts.

Docker is the recommended method for production, enabling rapid scaling and simplified management.

The platform’s active GitHub repository and community forums foster collaboration, bug reporting, and feature requests, ensuring continuous improvement and responsiveness to user needs.

As cyber threats evolve, OpenCTI stands out by providing an open, extensible, and highly integrated platform for threat intelligence management.

Its technical foundation, community-driven development, and enterprise-ready features make it a trusted solution for SOCs, CERTs, and cybersecurity professionals worldwide.

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