Developed by the US Cyber Command Cyber National Mission Force, Hunt Forward Operations (HFOs) have risen to prominence as the most tangible demonstration of the Command’s intent to pursue threats in cyberspace. They have been developed for a specific mission – to deter, disrupt and defeat adversaries.
While proactive threat hunting can be achieved remotely, HFOs involve the deployment of personnel to a partner nation. This unlocks enduring benefits through networks of trusted partners and a distinctive contribution to collective cyber defence.
However, other countries interested in developing similar capabilities are unlikely to be able to replicate the US model. And the “Hunt Forward” approach doesn’t have to only focus on threat intelligence gathering; the method of operation could be applicable more broadly.
In this paper, we describe a modified approach for other nations to employ, based on a broader set of objectives and collaboration across agencies and with industry.
Complimentary Insight: The Advantages of “Hunt Forward” Extend Beyond the Hunt
Learn how the tactics of HFOs could be applied to offer a range of advantages as a policy tool, including complementing cyber capacity building and cyber crisis response.