If you’re building a Cyber Intelligence Centre (CIC), you need a plan. And not just any plan — a smart, simple, and focused roadmap that helps you stay on track. Whether you’re starting from scratch or upgrading what you’ve got, the first 90 days are critical.
This article breaks down a fun and easy roadmap for your CIC using a 30/60/90-day plan. Think of it like building a secure, high-tech clubhouse that’s ready to handle all kinds of cyber trouble. Let’s get started!
What is a Cyber Intelligence Centre?
A Cyber Intelligence Centre helps organizations detect, analyze, and respond to cyber threats. It gathers information from across the internet and internal systems to stop bad guys in their tracks.
The centre is staffed with threat hunters, analysts, engineers, and incident responders. Together, they keep an eye on networks, respond to alerts, and share intelligence with teams.
Before You Begin
Before diving into your 30/60/90-day plan, ask yourself three questions:
- Why do we need a CIC?
- Who are the key people involved?
- What are our priorities in the short and long term?
These answers will shape how you move forward. Now let’s break it down.
First 30 Days: Foundation & Discovery
This is the setup stage. You’ve got your notebook (or laptop), your coffee, and big dreams. Now it’s time to lay the foundation.
Goals:
- Understand the current security landscape
- Set clear objectives and metrics
- Identify stakeholders and build the team
Action Items:
- Assess existing infrastructure: What security tools do you already have? How are incidents handled?
- Meet the teams: Talk to IT, Security, Risk, and Compliance. Build relationships.
- Document gaps: Is threat detection too slow? Are you missing logs or alerts?
- Create the CIC charter: Write a simple one-pager explaining the purpose and scope of the centre.
- Define KPIs: Pick 3-5 key metrics (e.g., mean time to detect, response time).
Think of this month as you measuring the battlefield and gathering your heroes. Lay the groundwork well!
Day 31–60: Build & Design
Now that you know what you’re working with, it’s time to build. This is where the real action begins.
Goals:
- Design the CIC architecture
- Start building workflows and processes
- Do your tech shopping (tools, platforms, etc.)
Action Items:
- Choose your technology stack: Pick SIEM tools (like Splunk, QRadar), threat intel platforms, and ticketing systems.
- Design your security workflow: Identify how alerts are handled from detection to resolution.
- Develop playbooks: Create response plans for attacks like phishing, ransomware, and insider threats.
- Secure your data: Make sure logging and alerting are set up securely.
- Build a mini lab: Set up a test environment where analysts can learn and experiment.
In these 30 days, your CIC goes from ideas to blueprints. You’re not just talking now — you’re building something real.
Day 61–90: Operation and Optimization
You made it to the final stretch! Now’s the time to go live. Switch on the lights, test the alarms, and let your team get to work.
Goals:
- Launch the CIC
- Respond to your first set of incidents
- Refine and improve based on feedback
Action Items:
- Officially launch: Announce your CIC across departments. Share what it does and how people can engage with it.
- Run simulations: Test with mock incidents. How fast did the team respond? What went wrong?
- Monitor KPIs: Track your metrics. Are your alert-to-resolution times improving?
- Optimize your playbooks: Update based on lessons learned. Tweak language, steps, or add tools.
- Document wins: Celebrate early successes. Show value to leadership.
By now, your centre should be up and running, with staff tackling threats and systems humming. Well done!
Tips to Keep It Fun
- Gamify training: Use points and rewards for response drills
- Create a “Wall of Fame”: Show top analysts or brilliant catches
- Story time: Share real stories of threats stopped or data saved — everyone loves a good “cyber horror story”
Common Challenges You Might Face
Nothing’s perfect. Even the best teams run into obstacles. Here are a few hiccups you might see — and how to deal with them:
- Too much data, not enough insights: Focus on filtering alerts you care about. Use machine learning if possible.
- Skills gap: Train juniors or seek outside experts for complex tasks. You don’t need to hire ninjas on day one.
- Lack of buy-in from leadership: Show quick wins. Share dashboards. Speak in their language: risk, cost, value.
- Burnout: The work is intense. Rotate jobs, have fun breaks, and remember to celebrate wins.
Life After 90 Days
The first 90 days are just the beginning. After this, it’s all about scaling and maturing your CIC. Here’s a peek at what comes next:
- Add automation: Use SOAR tools to respond faster
- Share intelligence: Join threat-sharing communities
- Train continuously: Offer industry certs and skill-building programs
- Make it measurable: Use dashboards and daily stand-ups
- Stay agile: The cyber landscape changes fast. Keep learning!
Remember, every major cyber defence force started somewhere. With dedication, your CIC could evolve into a world-class security hub. Keep going, keep improving.
Wrapping It Up
Launching a Cyber Intelligence Centre doesn’t have to be scary or complex. Break it into 30-day chunks, focus on people and processes, and keep it fun.
The key takeaway? Start small, move smart, and grow confidently.
In this increasingly digital world, your CIC could become the heart of your security operation — always watching, always reading the signs, and always ready to respond.
Now, grab that roadmap and build the future of cyber intelligence!