Validating the Effectiveness of MITRE Engage and Active Defense

The phrase “Know Thy Enemy,” derived from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, underscores a fundamental principle in cybersecurity— understanding an adversary’s tactics, motivations, and weaknesses is key to staying ahead of their attacks. Traditionally, defenders are forced into a reactive stance, responding to threats only after they emerge. However, by leveraging Active Defense strategies and MITRE’s Engage Framework, security teams can flip the script, forcing attackers into unfamiliar territory where they are more likely to make mistakes—mistakes that can be exploited for detection, attribution, and strategic countermeasures. This research examines the impact of Active Defense compared to a traditional security posture when an adversary employs common tactics and techniques to identify high-value targets or exfiltrate sensitive data. By shifting from passive protection to Active Defense, defenders can fundamentally alter cyber conflict dynamics, gaining security from and intelligence about the attacker.