Threat Intelligence API for MSSPs
A Threat Intelligence API for MSSPs (Managed Security Service Providers) is a specialized programmatic interface that enables service providers to automatically ingest, manage, and operationalize cyber threat data across multiple client environments. Unlike standard threat feeds designed for a single enterprise, these APIs are architected to support the high-volume, multi-tenant needs of an MSSP, allowing them to integrate real-time intelligence into their central security stack (such as SIEM, SOAR, or XDR platforms) to protect hundreds or thousands of customers simultaneously.
This technology serves as the bridge between raw global threat data—collected from the open web, dark web, and technical sensors—and the operational workflows of the MSSP's Security Operations Center (SOC).
The Role of Threat Intelligence APIs in Managed Security
For an MSSP, the value of threat intelligence lies in speed and scalability. Manual analysis of threat data is impossible when managing diverse networks. A Threat Intelligence API automates data consumption, transforming static "lists of bad IP addresses" into dynamic, actionable context to block attacks, triage alerts, and hunt for threats across a vast customer base.
By integrating this API, an MSSP can shift from a reactive posture (waiting for an alert) to a proactive one (blocking a threat detected elsewhere before it reaches the client).
Key Capabilities for Service Providers
A robust Threat Intelligence API for MSSPs offers specific features designed to handle the complexity of managed services:
Multi-Tenancy Support: The API enables the MSSP to segment intelligence by client sectors or geographies. For example, an MSSP can query the API to determine whether a specific banking trojan is targeting their financial services clients without generating noise for their retail clients.
Automated Ingestion and Integration: The API is designed to integrate directly with centralized tools such as Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, or Palo Alto Networks Cortex XSOAR. This eliminates the need for human analysts to manually copy and paste indicators of compromise (IOCs).
Contextual Enrichment: Instead of just providing a malicious IP address, the API provides context—such as the threat actor associated with it (e.g., APT29), the malware family (e.g., Ransomware), and the confidence score. This helps SOC analysts prioritize which alerts to investigate first.
White-Labeling and Reporting: The API often supports data export functions that allow the MSSP to generate branded reports for their clients, demonstrating the value of the service by showing how many threats were blocked using the intelligence.
Operational Benefits for MSSPs
Implementing a Threat Intelligence API drives both operational efficiency and business growth for service providers:
Reduced Mean Time to Detect (MTTD): By automating the ingestion of fresh IOCs, the MSSP can detect active threats in client networks within minutes of their global discovery, rather than days later.
Lower False Positives: High-fidelity APIs include "confidence scores" and "aging" mechanisms. This ensures that the MSSP does not block legitimate traffic or waste analyst time investigating stale data (e.g., an IP address that was malicious last week but is safe today).
Scalable Threat Hunting: Analysts can use the API to query the entire client base for a specific indicator. If a new zero-day vulnerability is announced, the MSSP can instantly check "Which of my 500 clients has communicated with this malicious domain?" in a single query.
Service Differentiation: Access to premium, API-driven intelligence allows MSSPs to upsell "Proactive Threat Hunting" or "Dark Web Monitoring" tiers, moving beyond basic firewall management.
Common Questions About Threat Intelligence APIs
How does an API differ from a Threat Intelligence Feed? A feed is typically a static list of indicators (e.g., a CSV of bad IPs) that is downloaded periodically. An API is a dynamic, two-way query service. It allows the MSSP to ask specific questions (e.g., "Tell me everything about this file hash") and receive real-time, updated context, rather than just a flat list.
What types of data can be accessed via the API? Most APIs provide a mix of Technical Intelligence (IPs, URLs, file hashes), Tactical Intelligence (attacker methods, TTPs), Strategic Intelligence (reports on threat actor trends), and Digital Risk Data (leaked credentials, typosquatting domains).
Is the API integrated into the client's network or the MSSP's core? Typically, the API is integrated into the MSSP's central management platform (the "Single Pane of Glass"). The intelligence is then pushed down to client devices (firewalls, EDR agents) as blocking rules or detection logic.
Can the API handle industry-specific threats? Yes. Advanced APIs support industry-vertical filtering. An MSSP can configure the stream to prioritize healthcare-specific threats for their hospital clients while prioritizing retail threats for their e-commerce clients.
Empowering MSSPs with ThreatNG’s Threat Intelligence API
ThreatNG is a high-fidelity Threat Intelligence API designed to enhance the capabilities of Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs). By integrating ThreatNG’s comprehensive external attack surface management (EASM), digital risk protection (DRP), and security rating data into their centralized operations, MSSPs can automate threat detection, assessment, and remediation across a diverse and expansive client base.
ThreatNG transforms raw data into actionable intelligence, allowing service providers to move from reactive alert handling to proactive threat hunting and strategic risk advisory.
External Discovery
For an MSSP managing hundreds of clients, visibility is the primary challenge. ThreatNG’s External Discovery capabilities, delivered via API, allow providers to instantly map the digital footprint of any client without deploying agents.
Automated Client Onboarding: The API allows MSSPs to programmatically trigger discovery scans for new clients. By simply inputting a domain name, ThreatNG identifies all associated subdomains, cloud environments, and third-party dependencies. This allows the MSSP to generate a complete "Asset Inventory" for a new customer in minutes, identifying "Shadow IT" that the client was unaware of.
Supply Chain Visibility: ThreatNG maps the fourth-party scripts and vendors connected to client assets. The API feeds this dependency tree into the MSSP’s central dashboard, enabling the provider to quickly identify which clients are using a specific vulnerable software vendor during a major supply chain event.
External Assessment
ThreatNG differentiates itself by not just listing assets but actively assessing their technical state. The API delivers validated risk data, reducing the "noise" of false positives that often overwhelm SOC analysts.
Detailed Example (Vulnerability Validation): An MSSP uses the API to query the security posture of a client’s web perimeter. ThreatNG assesses a specific web server and identifies it is running a deprecated version of PHP vulnerable to remote code execution. The API returns a high-severity risk score along with the specific CVE, enabling the MSSP to prioritize patching this asset over lower-priority alerts.
Detailed Example (Configuration Auditing): The API provides detailed technical assessments of SSL/TLS configurations and email security records (DMARC/SPF). If a client’s primary email gateway is misconfigured (e.g., missing a DMARC record), ThreatNG flags this via the API as a "Phishing Susceptibility" risk. The MSSP can then upsell a project to implement proper email authentication.
Reporting
ThreatNG’s reporting module supports the business side of the MSSP relationship, providing the data needed to demonstrate value and retain clients.
White-Label Data Feeds: The API allows MSSPs to pull raw risk metrics and findings into their own branded reporting portals. Service providers can generate "Monthly Security Scorecards" that display the client’s risk trend over time, powered entirely by ThreatNG data but presented under the MSSP’s logo.
Compliance Mapping: ThreatNG categorizes findings against frameworks like NIST, ISO 27001, and GDPR. The API delivers these mapped findings directly to the MSSP, allowing them to produce instant "Compliance Readiness" reports for clients preparing for audits.
Continuous Monitoring
Security is not a point-in-time exercise. ThreatNG’s continuous monitoring engine acts as the "always-on" eyes for the MSSP, detecting changes in real-time.
Drift Detection via Webhooks: ThreatNG establishes a baseline for every client. When a change occurs—such as a new port opening or a subdomain being created—ThreatNG triggers a webhook to the MSSP’s operational platform. This allows the SOC to investigate "Drift" (unauthorized changes) immediately, rather than waiting for the next scheduled scan.
New Asset Alerts: As clients provision new infrastructure, ThreatNG detects these assets and pushes the new data via the API. This ensures the MSSP is always monitoring 100% of the client’s estate, preventing coverage gaps that could lead to a breach.
Investigation Modules
ThreatNG’s investigation modules provide the forensic depth MSSP analysts need to triage complex threats without leaving their central console.
Detailed Example (Domain Intelligence Investigation): An MSSP analyst receives an alert about a suspicious domain mirroring a client’s brand. Using the ThreatNG API, the analyst triggers a Domain Intelligence investigation. The module returns data on the domain's registrar, hosting history, and reputation. If the investigation reveals the domain is hosted on a known bulletproof server, the analyst can confirm it is malicious and initiate a takedown.
Detailed Example (Sensitive Code Exposure Investigation): To protect a high-profile client from data leaks, an MSSP utilizes the Sensitive Code Exposure module. The API periodically scans public repositories for the client’s domain. If it detects that a developer has accidentally committed an API key to a public GitHub repository, ThreatNG returns the specific URL and the type of secret exposed, enabling the MSSP to revoke the credential instantly.
Intelligence Repositories
ThreatNG enriches the MSSP’s threat view with deep-web and dark-web intelligence, turning the service provider into a proactive threat hunter.
Ransomware Intelligence: The API correlates client assets with known ransomware infrastructure. If a client’s exposed RDP port matches the targeting profile of a specific ransomware group, ThreatNG flags this as a critical "Imminent Threat." The MSSP can then mobilize its Incident Response team to secure the asset before encryption occurs.
DarCache Dark Web Intelligence: ThreatNG monitors for compromised credentials belonging to client domains. The API feeds this data into the MSSP’s identity monitoring service. If a C-level executive’s password appears in a fresh breach dump, the API triggers a high-priority ticket for the MSSP to force a password reset.
Complementary Solutions
ThreatNG serves as the specialized intelligence layer that feeds into the broader MSSP technology stack, enhancing the effectiveness of existing tools.
Complementary Solution (SIEM): ThreatNG delivers high-fidelity alerts on external exposures and dark web findings directly into Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms (such as Splunk or Microsoft Sentinel). This allows SOC analysts to correlate external threat data with internal network logs in a single pane of glass, identifying if an external exposure is being actively probed.
Complementary Solution (SOAR): ThreatNG integrates with Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platforms to drive automated actions. When ThreatNG detects a confirmed phishing domain via its API, the SOAR platform can automatically execute a playbook to block that domain at the client’s firewall and web gateway, achieving near-instant mitigation.
Complementary Solution (Ticketing & PSA): ThreatNG feeds remediation tasks into Professional Services Automation (PSA) and ticketing systems (like ServiceNow or ConnectWise). When a new risk is validated, ThreatNG creates a ticket populated with all necessary technical details, streamlining the workflow for the MSSP’s remediation engineers.
Examples of ThreatNG Helping
Helping Scale Service Delivery: ThreatNG helps an MSSP rapidly onboard 50 new retail clients by automating the initial discovery process. The API returned a complete asset inventory for all 50 clients in under 24 hours, allowing the MSSP to demonstrate immediate value and identify critical vulnerabilities on Day 1.
Helping Prioritize Critical Risks: ThreatNG helps an MSSP during a zero-day outbreak (such as Log4j) by enabling them to query the API to identify all client assets running vulnerable software versions. This targeted intelligence allowed the provider to focus their limited resources on the 10 most critical clients who were actually exposed, rather than manually checking every customer.
Helping Validate Security ROI: ThreatNG helps an MSSP demonstrate the effectiveness of their service by providing data for a "Year in Review" report. The report showed that the MSSP successfully identified and remediated 500 "High Risk" exposures and took down 20 phishing domains, justifying the client’s renewal of the service contract.
Examples of ThreatNG Working with Complementary Solutions
Working with Vulnerability Management: ThreatNG discovers a forgotten legacy server that was missing from the client’s known inventory. The API pushes this new IP address to the MSSP’s Vulnerability Management scanner, ensuring the asset is included in the next scheduled credentialed scan for a comprehensive security check.
Working with Threat Intelligence Platforms (TIP): ThreatNG feeds client-specific digital risk data into the MSSP’s Threat Intelligence Platform. The TIP correlates this data with global threat feeds and alerts the MSSP if a nation-state actor is known to be targeting the specific technology stack identified by ThreatNG on a client’s perimeter.
