As cyber threats become more frequent and more advanced, no organization, no matter how large or well-funded, can effectively stand alone. Threat actors are collaborating, sharing tools, and constantly evolving their tactics. The best way to fight back? With a united front. Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs) offer a powerful way for organizations to share threat intelligence, coordinate defenses, and strengthen their collective security posture. If your organization isn’t part of one yet, here’s why that needs to change.
What is a ISAC?
ISAC stands for Information Sharing and Analysis Center. It is a member-driven organization that enables private sector companies within a specific industry to share cyber threat intelligence in a trusted, secure, and collaborative environment.
Each ISAC is focused on a particular sector, such as financial services, healthcare, energy, transportation, etc., and can provide timely alerts, best practices, threat bulletins, and access to a broader community of cyber professionals facing similar threats.
Six Reasons Why ISACs Are Critical for Cyber Resilience
- Shared Knowledge is Better Knowledge
Cybercriminals don’t operate in isolation, and neither should defenders. ISACs provide a way for organizations to crowdsource real-world threat data and intelligence. The result? Better visibility into emerging threats and more informed defensive strategies. - ISACs off Faster, Actionable Intelligence
ISACs provide real-time alerts and detailed threat reports based on first-hand member input. These alerts often contain indicators of compromise (IoCs), tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), and mitigation strategies. This information is often more actionable than what’s found in public feeds. - Trust and Confidentiality
One of the key benefits of ISACs is the trusted environment they foster. Members can share sensitive information knowing that it’s protected by strict confidentiality protocols and anonymization techniques, encouraging open and honest collaboration. - Tailored for Your Industry
Each ISAC is focused on a specific sector’s risks, regulations, and infrastructure. That means the information is always relevant to your business environment unlike generic threat feeds that may not align with your organization’s unique risk profile. - Access to Insights from National Security
Many ISACs partner directly with government agencies like CISA, DHS, and the FBI. This two-way communication channel means members receive early warnings, classified briefings, and coordinated incident response support during national-level incidents. - Upskilling and Best Practices
ISACs don’t just share threats, they help raise the bar. Members benefit from training resources, simulation exercises, peer case studies, and cyber hygiene guides to improve security maturity across the board.
SolarWinds: How ISACs Helped
When the SolarWinds breach disrupted organizations worldwide, members of relevant ISACs were among the first to receive timely alerts, technical breakdowns, and remediation steps. These organizations were able to respond faster and more effectively, limiting damage and strengthening their defenses in the process.
How Gilliam Security Can Help
Navigating the world of threat intelligence sharing can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to selecting the right ISAC for your organization. That’s where Gilliam Security comes in.
At Gilliam Security, we work with organizations across industries to assess their threat landscape, compliance obligations, and operational needs and we can guide the your organization toward the ISAC that best fits your goals. Whether you’re in healthcare, finance, energy, or a niche vertical, our team ensures you get connected to the right intelligence-sharing community, fast.