What is threat hunting?

Threat hunting refers to the proactive and systematic search for indicators of compromise or signs of malicious activity within a network. By engaging in this practice, security professionals look beyond traditional security measures and automated tools. They actively seek out hidden threats that may have bypassed existing security defenses. This approach allows organizations to identify and mitigate risks before they result in significant damage or data breaches.

Unlike simply relying on automated responses, firewalls, or antivirus solutions—which primarily serve as reactive measures—threat hunting involves an anticipatory mindset. This means that security teams often leverage their expertise, analytical skills, and threat intelligence to uncover sophisticated attacks that evade standard detection methods. In doing so, they enhance the overall security posture of the organization and improve response capabilities against advanced threats. This distinguishes threat hunting from other security strategies that focus more on prevention and automated detection.