Cyber threat intelligence is the difference between reacting to attacks and anticipating them. The CTI analyst who can only consume threat feeds is not performing intelligence: they are performing data management. Real threat intelligence requires hypothesis formation, structured analytic technique application, source evaluation, confidence grading, and intelligence product development that actually changes defensive decisions. The GCTI from SANS is the most respected CTI certification, but it is a 115 to 118 question MCQ exam. XCTI is built for analysts who want to demonstrate they can produce intelligence, not pass a test.
Across six instructor-led days, participants build CTI capability across the complete intelligence lifecycle: intelligence requirements and planning, OSINT collection methodology, STIX 2.1 and TAXII 2.1 standards, MISP and OpenCTI platform operations, threat actor profiling and campaign analysis, dark web intelligence collection in authorised environments, the Diamond Model and Cyber Kill Chain for intrusion analysis, strategic and geopolitical threat intelligence, intelligence product development for different audiences, and CTI integration into SOC operations and incident response.
On Day 6, participants receive a raw intelligence collection package (OSINT artefacts, malware reports, network indicators, and industry reports) and must produce a complete threat intelligence product: a threat actor profile with campaign attribution, MITRE ATT&CK heat map, IOC list, and an executive summary and technical annex. A senior practitioner assesses analytical rigour, structured technique application, and product quality. XCTI certificate and Practitioner Assessment Report issued together.
