Flashpoint a Strong Performer in External Threat Intelligence Forrester Wave

Flashpoint’s Recognition in the Forrester Wave Report

Flashpoint was named a Strong Performer in The 2023 Forrester Wave™ for External Threat Intelligence Service Providers, serving the private and public sectors. In addition to receiving the highest possible score in the vision criterion, Flashpoint’s “ideal” fraud and compromised credentials capabilities were cited multiple times, including its strong reputation and deep penetration in the financial services industry.

Specializing in National Security and ‘often-forgotten’ Physical Security Intelligence

Flashpoint National Security Solutions (FNSS)—a dedicated Flashpoint business unit that serves the unique needs of government agencies to enhance global situational awareness and drive mission success—was specifically called out in the report. Additionally, Flashpoint’s dedication to addressing the “often-forgotten” area of physical security threat intelligence was also mentioned in the report.

‘Necessary for effective cyber security’

The Q3 2023 Forrester Wave™ for External Threat Intelligence Service Providers avers that just relying on fundamental security controls and monitoring internal logs is no longer a sufficient strategy for effective cybersecurity. As a result, Forrester says, external cyber threat intelligence is now a necessary foundational component of any organization’s cybersecurity defenses.

Flashpoint’s “ideal” fraud and compromised credentials capabilities were cited multiple times, including its strong reputation and deep penetration in the financial services industry.

— The 2023 Forrester Wave™ for External Threat Intelligence Service Providers

And while customers needs vary—“some customers want a total threat intelligence platform, some want curated alerts, and others just want the raw data”—Forrester recommends that security and risk professionals should look for an External Threat Intelligence Service Provider that:

• Gather diverse sources of threat intelligence, including:
  • open source information
  • access to the dark web and restricted sites
  • a deep repository of historical data
  • and routine expansion into new areas like Telegram channels as well as regularly refreshing existing sources from around the world.

Forrester writes that Flashpoint “excels at collecting information from underground and dark web sources” and has enhanced and strengthened its open source intelligence (OSINT) capabilities and its physical security intelligence through M&A.

• Simplify the consumption of threat intelligence, especially providers who:
  • have a robust library of reports about threat actors, malware families, vulnerabilities, and industry trends that include detailed tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) suitable for technical and executive audiences.
  • do the heavy lifting of connecting the dots from multiple threat data points to actions by adding contextual information, prioritization, and risk scoring.
  • can cut through the noise to deliver complete, accurate, relevant, and timely information with minimal false positives.

Act as a force multiplier to promote better decision-making and drive tangible action to mitigate risks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Forrester Wave and how was Flashpoint rated?

The Forrester Wave is an independent research report that evaluates the most significant vendors in the cybersecurity market. In the report for External Threat Intelligence Service Providers, Flashpoint was named a Strong Performer. Flashpoint received the highest possible score in the vision criterion and was praised for its deep expertise in financial services and fraud prevention.

Criteria	Flashpoint Rating
Vision	Highest Possible Score
Fraud Capabilities	Cited as “Ideal”
Market Focus	Financial Services & National Security

Why is external threat intelligence considered a “foundational” defense?

External threat intelligence is considered foundational because internal monitoring alone cannot see what is happening outside of an organization’s network. By monitoring the dark web, illicit forums, and encrypted chat apps, external intelligence helps security teams identify threats like stolen credentials and planned attacks before they reach the company’s perimeter.

• Proactive Defense: Finds threats where attackers live and plan.
• Contextual Risk: Prioritizes vulnerabilities based on real-world exploitation.
• Asset Protection: Safeguards brands and executives from external doxing or fraud.

What specialized intelligence areas was Flashpoint praised for?

Flashpoint was specifically praised for its “ideal” fraud and compromised credentials capabilities. The report also highlighted Flashpoint’s dedication to National Security and the often-forgotten area of physical security intelligence. These specialized units provide a broader view of risk that covers both digital assets and the physical safety of personnel.

Intelligence Area	Security Benefit
Compromised Credentials	Prevents account takeovers by identifying leaked logins.
Physical Security	Tracks real-world threats to facilities and personnel.
National Security	Enhances situational awareness for government mission success.