What is threat hunting and why is it important?

In a scenario where cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated and frequent, relying solely on automated security tools is no longer enough. That’s where threat hunting comes in—a proactive and intelligent approach aimed at identifying threats before they cause real damage.

In this article, you'll learn how the methodology works, who the professionals involved are, and why you should implement it in your company.

What is threat hunting?

Threat hunting is the active search for cyber threats that may already be present within a corporate network, even if traditional security systems have not detected them.

While security tools typically wait for an event to occur before reacting, threat hunting is an intentional, hypothesis-driven approach supported by threat intelligence. The goal is to identify unusual or irregular activities or signs of intrusions that have gone unnoticed.

More than simply detecting malware or known vulnerabilities, threat hunting focuses on uncovering signs of sophisticated attacks, such as lateral movement within the network, privilege escalation, and communication with command and control (C2) servers.

How does the threat hunting methodology work?

The methodology is based on three pillars: hypotheses, data, and analysis. The process begins with the formulation of a hypothesis. From there, the hunter collects relevant data—such as authentication logs, network traffic, and endpoint behavior—and analyzes it in search of patterns or anomalies that confirm or refute the suspicion.

As such, the approach can follow different models:

• Hypothesis-driven: starts from an assumption based on threat intelligence or prior knowledge.
• Indicator-driven: uses known indicators of compromise (IoCs) to search for specific signs.
• Behavioral analytics–driven: leverages large-scale data analysis and machine learning to detect suspicious patterns.

Types of threat hunting

Threat hunting can be applied in different ways, depending on the maturity of the security team and the company's strategic goals.

The three main models are:

• Structured hunting: follows a predefined methodology based on clear hypotheses, attack indicators (IoAs), and known threat actors' TTPs (tactics, techniques, and procedures).
• Unstructured hunting: begins without a formal hypothesis, usually triggered by an alert or an indicator of compromise (IoC). The investigation is more exploratory and intuitive, based on the threat hunter’s experience.
• Situational or entity-driven hunting: responds to a specific scenario within the company, such as an internal risk assessment or trend/vulnerability analysis.

Who are the threat hunters?

The professional performing this work is called a threat hunter. Unlike traditional security analysts, they operate in a more investigative and strategic manner.

These specialists are skilled in forensic analysis, adversary behavior, threat intelligence, and security tools. They have deep knowledge of the organization's environment and think like an attacker.

Their role is essential in cyber threat hunting operations, as they combine human expertise with advanced technology to uncover what systems alone can’t see.

Why invest in this strategy?

Companies that take cybersecurity seriously are increasingly investing in active threat hunting as a way to stay ahead of threats.

The frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks continue to rise. According to the 3rd edition of the BugHunt National Information Security Survey, only 57.1% of companies reported never having suffered an attack—meaning nearly half have experienced at least one breach. And the impact goes far beyond technical consequences: a single incident can compromise financial health, reputation, and market trust.

With a well-structured threat hunting strategy, your company can:

• Detect threats that evade traditional systems;
• Identify attacks in their early stages;
• Reduce mean time to detect and respond;
• Strengthen overall cybersecurity posture;
• Minimize operational and financial risks.

As attackers become more silent, persistent, and stealthy, the question remains: Is your company prepared to find them before it’s too late?

Organizations that invest in threat hunting don’t just defend better. They stay ahead, respond precisely, and protect what truly matters: their data, their assets, and their continuity.

Did you enjoy this article? Check out more cybersecurity content on our blog or follow us on social media.