Center for Cyber Intelligence
Advancing Cyber Intelligence Standards for a Secure Future
The Center for Cyber Intelligence (CCI) is an open community dedicated to defining and advancing cyber intelligence as a discipline. Since our founding in 2019, we have focused on developing industry standards, sharing best practices, and empowering large and small organizations to integrate intelligence-driven security into their operations.
Our Mission
CCI exists to develop and provide best-in-class cyber intelligence standards, frameworks, and guidance, fostering an environment that promotes visibility, innovation, and the evolution of the cyber intelligence industry.
What We Do
Cyber intelligence has long been a function within government, but its adoption in the private sector remains a growing challenge. Many organizations seek to establish intelligence-driven security practices to better defend against emerging cyber threats. To address this need, we are building the Cyber Intelligence Framework (CIF)—a living, collaborative standard that helps organizations implement effective cyber intelligence capabilities at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels.
Through an open-source, community-driven approach, we aim to become the "NIST of Cyber Intelligence"—a trusted authority that organizations can rely on when developing their cyber intelligence programs.
In addition to framework development, CCI:
Provides Expert Guidance – Offering cybersecurity and cyber intelligence consultation tailored to diverse organizational needs, from startups to enterprises.
Fosters Collaboration – Engaging with cybersecurity professionals, intelligence analysts, and small business leaders to share knowledge, strategies, and best practices.
Supports Open-Source Initiatives – Publishing free or low-cost resources, tools, and documentation to promote the evolution of the cyber intelligence community.
A Vendor-Agnostic, Community-Driven Approach
Unlike traditional cybersecurity vendors, CCI operates independently of commercial pressures. This allows us to provide unbiased, practical, cost-effective solutions that benefit organizations. We remain committed to open collaboration, transparency, and accessibility—ensuring that the cyber intelligence field continues to mature through shared expertise and innovation.
Join us as we work toward a future where cyber intelligence is not just a government function but a standardized, accessible, and indispensable part of every organization's security strategy.
Get in touch
Contact us today or visit our contact page to learn more.
Let’s take the next step toward a more secure future!
Meet the Team
Chris Cooley
Founding Director
Chris Cooley is an intelligence and cybersecurity professional with 18 years of experience in military intelligence, cyber operations, and national security. He has operated in high-stakes environments—from traditional battlefields to cyber defense—protecting national security and countering emerging threats. As a U.S. Army National Guard soldier, he applies his expertise in intelligence operations and strategic decision-making while leading cybersecurity initiatives across government and private sectors.
Chris began his career as a Military Intelligence Analyst, gaining hands-on experience in intelligence analysis, threat detection, and geopolitical strategy. He has conducted theater-level intelligence operations in collaboration with AFOSI, the CIA, and NATO, supporting mission-critical operations in complex environments.
Expanding into cyber intelligence, Chris joined MS-ISAC, where he built expertise in threat actor profiling, intelligence-driven security, and risk analysis. His work directly contributed to multiple FBI-led cybercriminal arrests, proving that cybersecurity is about action as much as analysis. He later advanced into Security Operations, Incident Response, and Cyber Intelligence Program Management, supporting some of the world’s largest financial institutions.
Chris has also worked at the intersection of intelligence and crisis response. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he led the development of intelligence and data science frameworks that drove real-time decision-making, directly aiding efforts to reduce deaths and infections. His groundbreaking work resulted in a co-authored medical journal on building a first-of-its-kind intelligence program to combat a pandemic—an initiative the U.S. Army had never undertaken.
A leader in cyber threat intelligence, insider threat, and cyber defense, Chris has helped government agencies, enterprises, and SMBs detect, analyze, and mitigate security threats. His expertise spans small businesses to Fortune 500 brands, giving him unique insight into operationalizing cybersecurity at any scale.
Beyond his professional work, Chris is an avid rock climber, snowboarder, photographer, and music producer, constantly pushing boundaries in cybersecurity, intelligence, or personal challenges. His approach to cybersecurity is built on adaptability, innovation, and a relentless drive to stay ahead of the next threat.
Contact
Email: chris.cooley@centerforcyberintelligence.org