Intel 471 assessment helps measure CTI program maturity
▼ Summary
– Intel 471 released a free CTI Maturity Pulse Check, a lightweight self-assessment based on the CTI-CMM v1.3 framework.
– The tool allows practitioners to evaluate their CTI program’s capabilities in 10–15 minutes by distilling 11 domains into single questions.
– It was created to make the framework more accessible for busy teams and support the CTI community amid evolving cyber and AI threats.
– The 2026 SANS survey found that 43% of CTI programs don’t track maturity, and only 26% of CISOs feel CTI drives strategic decisions.
– Users receive a maturity tier (Emerging, Reactive, Operational, or Intelligence-led), priority gaps, and five next steps to improve.
Intel 471 has introduced the CTI Maturity Pulse Check, a free and lightweight self-assessment tool designed to help cybersecurity professionals gauge the maturity of their Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) programs. Based on the Cyber Threat Intelligence Capability Maturity Model (CTI-CMM v1.3), this resource offers a structured yet accessible way for organizations to evaluate current capabilities, identify areas needing improvement, and prepare for a more comprehensive evaluation using the official CTI-CMM framework.
“The CTI-CMM is a community-driven framework that provides security teams with a clear roadmap for enhancing how they support their broader business objectives,” said Michael DeBolt, President and Chief Intelligence Officer of Intel 471. “We developed this streamlined version to make the framework more practical for busy practitioners who want to initiate internal planning for deeper CTI program reviews. The assessment is free to support the wider CTI community as cyber and AI-driven threats continue to evolve rapidly in today’s cybersecurity landscape.”
Recent data from the 2026 SANS Cyber Threat Intelligence Survey reveals that 43% of CTI programs do not track maturity over time, while only 26% of CISOs believe CTI meaningfully influences strategic decisions. Establishing a maturity baseline is critical for teams to build a data-driven case for budget allocation and foster the cross-functional support necessary to drive strategic influence.
The CTI Maturity Pulse Check simplifies each of the 11 CTI-CMM domains into a single representative question, with answers aligned to the model’s maturity scale. In just 10 to 15 minutes, cybersecurity professionals can pinpoint domains that require closer examination to advance their operations and prepare for a more detailed assessment using the official CTI-CMM tool.
Designed for practitioners, program leaders, and security executives, the assessment delivers a final evaluation highlighting the highest priority gaps and five actionable next steps to elevate maturity. The output is crafted to be readable at every level of the organization. After completing the survey, users receive their overall maturity tier, categorized as follows:
- Emerging: Capability is being established; little structure and limited reach.“Our aim is to help CTI teams at any stage identify their ‘right-sized’ maturity, so they understand where their program stands,” DeBolt added. “Depending on a company’s business model, some domains may be less relevant, so our tiers and guidance should be viewed as directional indicators, not definitive ratings. Respondents don’t need to achieve perfection across all 11 domains; instead, they get a clear picture of their current position. This fosters productive internal discussions between security teams and key stakeholders about where to focus and prioritize efforts.”
