---
type: "term"
title: "Techniques (TTPs)"
description: "Specific methods, procedures, and tactics that attackers use to exploit vulnerabilities and achieve their objectives."
resource: "tlctc:term:techniques-ttps"
tags:
  - "glossary"
---
# Techniques (TTPs)

Specific methods, procedures, and tactics that attackers use to exploit vulnerabilities and achieve their objectives. In the MITRE ATT&CK framework, techniques represent the operational "how" of attacks—the concrete actions adversaries take (e.g., T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application", T1566 "Phishing"). Techniques often reference specific vulnerabilities (CVEs) they exploit and the platforms/systems they target.

**Relationship to TLCTC:** Each MITRE technique can be mapped to one or more TLCTC clusters based on the generic vulnerability being exploited:

- T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) → #2 Exploiting Server
- T1566.001 (Spearphishing Attachment) → #9 Social Engineering → #3 or #7 (depending on payload)
- T1078 (Valid Accounts) → #4 Identity Theft

**Key distinction:** Techniques describe attacker actions and behaviors (operational detail), while TLCTC clusters categorize the fundamental vulnerabilities being exploited (strategic framework). TLCTC proposes enhancing MITRE ATT&CK by adding cluster mappings and typical velocity attributes to each technique.

See also: TTP, Sub-Threat, MITRE ATT&CK, Operational Layer, Weakness
