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What is the MITRE ATT&CK framework?

Learn about the MITRE ATT&CK framework and how it can help you gain visibility into attacker behavior and enhance threat-hunting capabilities.
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Understanding the MITRE ATT&CK framework

The MITRE ATT&CK framework is a globally accessible knowledge base that documents real-world adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) based on actual cybersecurity incidents. The MITRE ATT&CK helps organizations understand how attackers operate, improve threat detection, and strengthen defense strategies. ATT&CK stands for adversarial tactics, techniques, and common knowledge.

Key takeaways

  • MITRE ATT&CK is a knowledge base of real-world adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures.
  • It helps organizations improve threat detection and defense strategies.

What is the MITRE ATT&CK framework?

The MITRE ATT&CK framework is a globally accessible knowledge base that documents real-world adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) based on actual cybersecurity incidents. It was developed by MITRE, a not-for-profit organization that was established to advance national security and serve the public interest as an independent advisor. The MITRE ATT&CK helps organizations understand how attackers operate, improve threat detection, and strengthen defense strategies. ATT&CK stands for adversarial tactics, techniques, and common knowledge.

Using the MITRE ATT&CK framework, organizations gain better visibility into attacker behavior, enhance threat-hunting capabilities, and develop proactive security defenses against evolving cyber threats.

Overview of the MITRE ATT&CK framework

The MITRE ATT&CK framework is a critical resource for cybersecurity professionals, providing deep insights into adversary tactics and techniques. It provides a structured methodology for understanding and defending against threats by mapping out how attackers operate across various stages of an intrusion. When you understand and use the ATT&CK framework, you can strengthen your organization’s security posture, anticipate cyber threats, and enhance their defense mechanisms against evolving adversary behaviors.

The MITRE Corporation developed the ATT&CK framework in 2013. Initially designed to support adversary emulation and red teaming, ATT&CK has since evolved into a comprehensive resource widely used across the cybersecurity community.

Over time, the framework has expanded to cover different domains, including enterprise environments, mobile devices, and industrial control systems (ICSs). MITRE continuously updates ATT&CK based on real-world observations, making it a living document that adapts to emerging threats.

Purpose and practical applications

The primary goal of MITRE ATT&CK is to provide a practical guide for cybersecurity professionals. The framework helps organizations enhance their threat intelligence, refine security strategies, and improve incident response. Some of its key applications include:
 
  • Threat modeling. ATT&CK helps you understand how adversaries operate, enabling security teams to anticipate and defend against attacks before they occur.
  • Security posture testing. By simulating real-world attack techniques, you can evaluate the effectiveness of your security controls and incident response capabilities.
  • Cyber defense optimization. Security teams use ATT&CK to map known threats to their defensive measures, allowing them to prioritize mitigation strategies effectively.
Common misconceptions

Common misconceptions about the framework include:

"ATT&CK is a threat intelligence feed."
While ATT&CK contains intelligence on adversary behaviors, it’s not a traditional threat intelligence feed with real-time Indicators of Compromise (IoC). Instead, it focuses on TTPs.

"ATT&CK is only for red teams."
Though widely used for adversary emulation in red teaming, it’s equally valuable for blue teams (defenders) in threat detection, hunting, and response.

"ATT&CK is a tool or software."
Some assume ATT&CK is a standalone security tool. It’s actually a knowledge base that informs cybersecurity strategies.

"ATT&CK is only for advanced cybersecurity teams."
While often used by experienced professionals, ATT&CK is accessible to organizations of all sizes, helping improve security postures at various levels.

"ATT&CK only applies to enterprise environments."
In reality, ATT&CK has different matrices for cloud, mobile, and ICSs to cover a broad range of attack scenarios.

Key components of the MITRE ATT&CK framework

The MITRE ATT&CK framework is a comprehensive knowledge base that categorizes and describes cyber adversary behaviors. It is structured into several key components, each playing a vital role in understanding and countering cyber threats.

Tactics, techniques, sub-techniques, and procedures

The core of the ATT&CK framework consists of tactics, techniques, sub-techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
 
  • Tactics represent the overarching goals or objectives of an adversary, such as execution, persistence, or lateral movement. Tactics describe why an attacker performs a certain action.
  • Techniques detail how an attacker achieves a specific tactic. For example, credential dumping is a technique used to access account credentials.
  • Sub-techniques provide more granular details on techniques. For example, within credential dumping, there are specific sub-techniques such as using LSASS memory or NTDS.dit extraction.
  • Procedures refer to the real-world implementations of techniques and sub-techniques as observed in actual cyber incidents. For example, these often include named malware families or custom scripts used by threat actors.

ATT&CK knowledge bases

MITRE ATT&CK is divided into three primary knowledge bases, each tailored to different operational environments.
 
  • Enterprise: Covers adversary tactics and techniques used against traditional IT networks, endpoints, and cloud environments.
  • Mobile: Focuses on threats targeting mobile devices, including Android and iOS.
  • ICSs: Addresses cyber threats specific to operational technology and critical infrastructure.
Matrices and mapping tactics to techniques

The framework is visually organized into matrices that map tactics to techniques. These matrices provide a structured way to analyze threats based on adversary behavior. Organizations use them to track attack patterns, assess security gaps, and develop more effective defensive strategies. Each matrix aligns techniques under specific tactics, allowing security teams to identify potential attack pathways and mitigate risks more effectively.

Notable techniques and their importance

Among the numerous techniques in the ATT&CK framework, a few stand out due to their frequent use in cyberattacks:
 
  • Phishing. Attackers use deceptive emails or messages to trick users into revealing credentials or executing malicious payloads.
  • Credential dumping. This technique allows adversaries to extract stored authentication data and escalate privileges.
  • Living off the Land techniques. Attackers use legitimate system tools—such as PowerShell or Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI)—to evade detection and maintain persistence.
Understanding these techniques allows you to proactively enhance their defenses, implement stronger detection mechanisms, and improve incident response strategies. By using the ATT&CK framework, security teams can anticipate adversary behavior and mitigate risks before they lead to significant breaches.

How the MITRE ATT&CK Framework impacts cybersecurity practices

The MITRE ATT&CK framework provides a structured approach to understanding and mitigating cyber threats. Using ATT&CK, IT security teams adopt a more proactive stance in defending against cyber adversaries. Adopting the ATT&CK framework has yielded measurable benefits. By mapping adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), you:
 

  • Enhance threat visibility by aligning their security monitoring efforts with real-world attack behaviors.

  • Improve security operations through better detection and response to threats.

  • Develop structured training programs that equip cybersecurity professionals with actionable knowledge.

  • Strengthen security postures by identifying gaps in defenses and implementing targeted mitigations.

Key applications of the ATT&CK Framework

ATT&CK is widely used across various cybersecurity disciplines, helping organizations prevent, detect, and respond to threats more effectively. Its applications include:

Threat intelligence and analysis. Cyber threat intelligence (CTI) teams use ATT&CK to analyze adversary behavior, track emerging threats, and enhance threat-hunting efforts. By studying past attacks and associating them with specific ATT&CK techniques, you’re able to anticipate and counter new threats before they escalate.

Adversary emulation and red teaming. Security teams use ATT&CK for adversary emulation, simulating real-world attack scenarios to test their defenses. Red teams use the framework to design attack campaigns that mimic known adversaries, helping you assess their security readiness and improve their detection capabilities.

Defensive strategy development. The framework helps you build robust defensive strategies by mapping security controls to specific attack techniques. Security architects and blue teams use ATT&CK to:

 

  • Prioritize security investments based on observed threat trends.

  • Implement mitigation strategies tailored to known attack behaviors.

  • Design proactive defense mechanisms that disrupt attack chains before they escalate.

Incident detection and response
Security operations center (SOC) analysts use ATT&CK to accelerate threat detection and response. By correlating alerts with ATT&CK techniques, analysts:
 

  • Quickly identify and classify attacks.

  • Implement automated detection rules to recognize adversary behaviors.

  • Improve forensic investigations by tracing an attack’s progression through the ATT&CK matrix.

Improve threat detection and response
Organizations that integrate ATT&CK into their security operations report notable improvements in:
 

  • Detection accuracy. By focusing on known adversary techniques, teams reduce false positives, and identify real threats.

  • Response speed. Incident response teams act swiftly by leveraging predefined mappings between attacks and ATT&CK techniques.

  • Proactive defenses. Rather than reacting to incidents after they occur, organizations anticipate and mitigate threats before they escalate.

Additional benefits

Beyond its technical applications, ATT&CK provides broader organizational and strategic benefits, including:
 

  • Enhanced understanding of adversarial behavior. Security teams gain deeper insights into how cybercriminals operate, allowing them to think like an attacker and anticipate their moves.

  • Improved collaboration between security teams. By using a standardized framework, red teams, blue teams, and threat intelligence teams communicate more effectively and align their efforts.

  • More comprehensive threat mitigation strategies. ATT&CK helps you take a holistic approach to cybersecurity by integrating detection, response, prevention, and recovery into a unified security strategy. ATT&CK is relevant to different types of IT environment, including on-premises, cloud and hybrid. It can also help with container security because many of the same tactics and techniques used against traditional infrastructure also apply to containerized environments.

Best practices for adopting the MITRE ATT&CK framework

Organizations of all sizes benefit from adopting the MITRE ATT&CK framework, but doing so strategically is key to maximizing its value. The framework is a powerful tool for mapping adversary behavior, developing robust security strategies, and improving threat detection and response. To make the most of it, security teams need to approach implementation thoughtfully, with a focus on long-term integration and alignment with organizational goals. Successful adoption of the ATT&CK framework starts with aligning its use to the organization's risk profile, security maturity, and operational needs.

Small and medium-sized organizations might begin by focusing on a few high-priority techniques that are relevant to common threats they face. Larger enterprises integrate ATT&CK into broader threat detection, cyber threat hunting, and incident response workflows, leveraging the full range of tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) described in the framework. Security teams map ATT&CK techniques to known threats from threat intelligence feeds, helping prioritize defense strategies based on what’s most relevant to their environment.

Real-world examples and use cases

Many organizations have used the ATT&CK framework to drive measurable improvements in their cybersecurity operations. For example:
 

  • A global financial institution used ATT&CK to redesign its detection engineering program, aligning detection rules with techniques frequently used by threat actors targeting the finance sector.

  • A healthcare provider integrated ATT&CK into its threat-hunting playbooks, enabling faster response to ransomware attacks by focusing on early-stage tactics like initial access and privilege escalation.

  • Government agencies have embedded ATT&CK into their red team and blue team exercises, using the framework to support real-world attack simulation and consistent defensive testing.

These examples highlight ATT&CK’s adaptability and value in various operational settings.

Overcoming common challenges

Integrating the MITRE ATT&CK framework into your organization can be a complex process. You may face hurdles such as:
 

  • Resource constraints. Smaller teams may lack the time or expertise to explore the full framework.

  • Training needs. Security analysts must be trained to understand and apply ATT&CK concepts correctly.

  • Tooling integration. Incorporating ATT&CK into security information and event management (SIEM) platforms and other tools may require customization.

To address these challenges, you can:
 

  • Invest in training and education for both technical staff and leadership.

  • Start small by focusing on a few tactics and techniques relevant to their threat landscape.

  • Leverage community resources and open-source tools that map ATT&CK techniques to common attack patterns.

How to get started with MITRE ATT&CK

If you are new to ATT&CK, follow these basic steps to begin your implementation.
 

  1. Provide training for your team. Introduce the ATT&CK matrices and key concepts through workshops or training sessions.

  2. Assess your current posture. Map recent security incidents or threat reports to ATT&CK techniques to identify gaps in detection.

  3. Prioritize techniques. Focus on techniques that are most likely to impact your environment, based on industry-specific threat intelligence.

  4. Build detection rules. Use ATT&CK as a guide to develop or refine SIEM rules, alerting logic, and analytics.

  5. Measure progress. Track your coverage of ATT&CK techniques and align improvements with security objectives.

Tips for integrating the framework into your security operations

Integrating ATT&CK into existing operations doesn’t require a complete overhaul. Here are some tips:
 

  • Map alerts to ATT&CK techniques. This helps analysts quickly understand what phase of the attack lifecycle they’re dealing with.

  • Incorporate it into threat hunting. Use ATT&CK to guide proactive investigations, focusing on common attacker behaviors.

  • Use existing solutions. If possible, use your existing Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solution to support the integration of the MITRE ATT&CK framework. EDR solutions are specifically designed to monitor, detect, and respond to endpoint threats, which aligns well with the goals of ATT&CK to understand and defend against tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by adversaries.

  • Embed in incident response plans. Refer to ATT&CK when analyzing incidents to understand how the attacker progressed and where detection or response could have improved.

  • Collaborate across teams. Use ATT&CK as a shared language between threat intel, SOC, red team, and blue team functions.

By following these best practices, you can integrate the MITRE ATT&CK framework into your security ecosystem in a meaningful and sustainable way, resulting in stronger defenses and more informed security decisions.

Incorporating MITRE ATT&CK as a long-term strategy

The MITRE ATT&CK framework isn’t a static resource—it’s a living, evolving knowledge base that grows alongside the cyber threat landscape. As adversaries develop new tactics and techniques, MITRE continuously updates the framework to reflect the latest intelligence and observations from across the cybersecurity community.

This ongoing evolution is one of the framework’s core strengths. It ensures that organizations have access to relevant, up-to-date insights on how attackers operate in real environments. Each new version of ATT&CK incorporates data from threat research, incident reports, and contributions from partners around the world. These updates might include newly discovered techniques, reclassifications of existing behaviors, or additional sub-techniques that provide more granular detail.

Integrating ATT&CK into your security operations means more than just referencing it once—it requires an active commitment to stay aligned with its latest developments. Security teams that build ATT&CK into their threat detection, response planning, and threat intelligence workflows should routinely review the framework for updates. Doing so helps ensure their defensive strategies continue to match the real-world behaviors of adversaries.

Encouraging a culture of continuous learning is essential to making the most of ATT&CK. Training sessions, tabletop exercises, and red team simulations that incorporate recent updates help make sure everyone on the team is familiar with how the threat landscape is shifting. Even simple steps—like updating threat-hunting queries or tuning detection rules based on new techniques—make a meaningful difference.

The MITRE ATT&CK framework is most effective when treated as a dynamic, ongoing part of your security strategy. By integrating it into everyday workflows and remaining attentive to its evolution, organizations are better prepared to detect, understand, and respond to emerging threats.

Finding a solution to support the ATT&CK framework

Adopting the MITRE ATT&CK framework is a strategic move for organizations aiming to strengthen their cybersecurity programs. But turning that strategy into practice often requires the right solution to bridge the gap between theory and day-to-day operations. Choosing a solution to support ATT&CK adoption isn’t just about tools—it’s about aligning capabilities with your team’s workflow, maturity, and security goals.

Start by looking for a solution that integrates ATT&CK mapping directly into detection, response, and threat analysis workflows. It should help your team visualize attacker tactics and techniques, correlate telemetry across systems, and simplify how you operationalize threat intelligence. Consider how well the solution supports ongoing framework updates and whether it provides flexibility to tailor ATT&CK usage to your environment. Ease of integration with existing infrastructure and clarity of the user experience matter just as much as technical capabilities.

Security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) platforms play a valuable role in putting the MITRE ATT&CK framework into action. While ATT&CK helps describe how attackers operate, SOAR helps teams respond to those behaviors efficiently and consistently. SOAR solutions use ATT&CK-aligned alerts to automate and coordinate security responses across systems. For example, if a detection maps to a known ATT&CK technique like Credential Dumping, a SOAR workflow can automatically trigger containment actions, gather forensic data, and notify the right teams—reducing response time and human error.

Microsoft Defender XDR is one solution that brings extended detection and response to the forefront of ATT&CK framework adoption. It maps real-world threats to ATT&CK techniques automatically, giving security teams a clearer picture of adversary behavior. This helps streamline threat triage, investigation, and response—all in a shared view.

As part of the Microsoft Security unified, AI-powered SecOps solution, Defender XDR brings together endpoint, identity, email, and cloud signals. This convergence makes it easier to align with the MITRE ATT&CK framework across the entire cyber kill chain, not just isolated systems. The AI-assisted features guide analysts with context-rich alerts and recommended next steps, always with human decision-making at the center.

Microsoft Sentinel also enhances support for the MITRE ATT&CK framework with built-in User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) that surface anomalies aligned with attacker techniques. It automatically correlates unusual user or device activity—like privilege escalation or lateral movement—with ATT&CK tactics to provide deeper context for investigations. This helps security teams detect subtle threats, prioritize incidents based on risk, and respond with greater precision.

For teams ready to scale their use of ATT&CK, the approach from Microsoft simplifies adoption while enhancing threat detection, response coordination, and overall resilience.
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Frequently asked questions

  • MITRE actually doesn’t stand for anything. The name was chosen when the organization was founded in 1958 as part of a project spun off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). While its origins are linked to MIT, MITRE is an independent nonprofit organization that operates federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) to support government agencies in areas like cybersecurity, defense, healthcare, and artificial intelligence.
  • The MITRE ATT&CK framework is a globally recognized knowledge base that categorizes real-world adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to help organizations understand, detect, and mitigate cyber threats. It provides a structured approach to threat modeling, security testing, and cyber defense by mapping attacker behaviors to specific attack patterns across enterprise, cloud, mobile, and industrial environments.
  • The MITRE ATT&CK framework consists of three main components: tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). Tactics represent the adversary’s goals, Techniques describe how those goals are achieved, and Procedures provide real-world examples of specific implementations used by threat actors.
  • MITRE ATT&CK techniques describe the specific methods adversaries use to achieve their objectives, such as gaining access, executing malicious code, or exfiltrating data. Each technique is mapped to a tactic (goal) and may include sub-techniques that provide further details on variations of the attack method.

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