Threat Actor Sophistication Levels

I have been drilling in to the Threat Actor vocabularies today and would like to propose some changes to the Sophistication Levels.  We currently have the following levels:

none

novice

practitioner

expert

innovator

I am wondering about changing that list to be something more like the following.... I have added some details (to be fleshed out) to give you some context of what I am thinking.  The initial list of 5 I feel is way to short. I would be very interested in your comments and feedback.  

basic (average joe/jane)

novice (script kiddie)

hobbyist (your average IT geek)

operator

Focuses on specific tasks within a campaign

Can operate systems for an attack

Can run tool kits designed by others

Is a contributor to a larger organization

technician

Focuses on specific mission objectives and goals

Can troubleshoot and fix systems used in an attack

Can execute attack plans and campaigns

professional

Focuses on broad tactical and mission goals

Can identify targets and build attack plans

Can use and taylor advanced toolkits

architect

Focuses on broad organizational goals

Can design the attack infrastructure 

specialist

Has very specialized skills but is not planning on running the show

Reverse Engineers

1-day Malware Author

Botnet infrastructure architect

expert

Focuses on strategic goals

Able to plan very elaborate and advanced attacks

Is a specialist in more than one area

0-day Malware Author

innovator

Thinks and plans for the future

Designs new malware toolkits

Innovates and move the attacker community forward

Is an expert in more than one area

Thanks,

Bret

Bret Jordan CISSP
Director of Security Architecture and Standards | Office of the CTO

Blue Coat Systems

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