What is the second step in the Threat Hunting Process?

The threat hunting process is a proactive, iterative cycle. According to the threat hunting loop model described in official Cisco training materials, the process begins with the formulation of a hypothesis. This initial step (Step 1) involves creating an educated guess about potential malicious activity, often based on threat intelligence, anomaly detection, or situational awareness. The second step (Step 2) is the investigation phase, where the hunter actively searches through data and uses various tools to find evidence that either supports or refutes the initial hypothesis. Therefore, validating the hypothesis is the core activity of the second step in the threat hunting process.

A. Analyzing existing threat intelligence: This is a primary input for the first step (Hypothesis Generation), not the second step. Hunters analyze intelligence to form a hypothesis to investigate.

B. Identifying potential threats: This is the objective of the first step, Hypothesis Generation. A hunter identifies a potential threat to form a testable hypothesis about it.

C. Deploying security tools: This is a foundational, preparatory action. Tools must be in place before the threat hunting process can begin; it is not a step within the iterative hunting cycle itself.

1. Cisco Press, Cisco CyberOps Associate CBROPS 200-201 Official Cert Guide, 1st Edition. Chapter 21, "Introduction to Threat Hunting," section "The Threat Hunting Loop." This section explicitly outlines the loop starting with (1) Hypothesis, followed by (2) Investigate. The "Investigate" step is described as using tools and techniques to find artifacts to prove or disprove the hypothesis.

2. Mondlane, A., et al. (2021). TaHiTI: A Targeted Hunting integrating Threat Intelligence Framework. IEEE Access, vol. 9, pp. 60033-60050. DOI: 10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3073991. In the proposed TaHiTI framework, the "Execution Phase" (Section IV.B) begins with a "Trigger," which leads to the creation of a hunting hypothesis. The immediate next step is "Investigation," where the "main goal is to confirm or deny the previously formulated hypothesis."

3. Stillions, R. (2014). The DML Model. SANS Institute InfoSec Reading Room. This foundational paper on threat hunting maturity describes the process as beginning with a hypothesis. It states, "The hunter develops a hypothesis... Then, the hunter must test this hypothesis by observing the environment." This testing phase is synonymous with validating the hypothesis.