Which of the following is a key benefit of using threat intelligence?

Using threat intelligence significantly enhances situational awareness, which is essential for organizations when it comes to identifying and understanding potential threats to their cybersecurity posture. Threat intelligence provides actionable insights about emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) employed by adversaries. This enables cybersecurity professionals to maintain a proactive stance, allowing them to make informed decisions to mitigate risks and respond effectively to incidents.

By improving situational awareness, organizations can better anticipate attacks, prioritize their defenses, and allocate resources more efficiently. This comprehensive understanding of the threat landscape helps stakeholders to stay ahead of potential risks and adapt their strategies accordingly.

In contrast, increasing user access levels or reducing reliance on firewalls does not relate directly to the core purpose of threat intelligence. Additionally, while threat intelligence can inform decisions about data security measures, it does not negate the need for data encryption, which remains a critical component of data protection strategies. Thus, enhancing situational awareness stands out as the primary benefit of using threat intelligence.