Research Report Template

📑 Table of Contents

1. Abstract
2. Introduction & Motivation
3. Threat Landscape / Background
4. Methodology
5. Findings & Analysis
6. Case Studies / Proof of Concept
7. Mitigations & Recommendations
8. Conclusion & Future Work
9. Appendix & References

01 Abstract

A concise summary (150–300 words) of the entire report. Cover the problem, approach, key findings, and significance. This should stand alone — a reader should understand the research scope without reading further.

Writing Tip

Write the abstract LAST, after completing all other sections. It should answer: What? Why? How? What did you find? Why does it matter?

02 Introduction & Motivation

Set the stage for your research. Why is this topic important? What gap in knowledge or capability are you addressing?

Define the problem space clearly
State why this research matters NOW (recent incidents, emerging threats, etc.)
Outline your research questions or hypotheses
Briefly describe your approach
Preview your key findings

03 Threat Landscape / Background

Provide context. What does the reader need to know to understand your research? Cover relevant prior work, current threat actors, and existing defenses.

Outline

3.1 Historical Context
    - Evolution of [threat/technology]
    - Key incidents / milestones

3.2 Current State
    - Active threat actors & TTPs (MITRE ATT&CK mapping)
    - Existing detection / defense mechanisms
    - Known gaps and limitations

3.3 Related Work
    - Academic papers & industry reports
    - How your research extends or differs from prior work

04 Methodology

Detail your research approach so others can replicate it. Be specific about tools, datasets, environment, and procedures.

Research Type

[Empirical / Analytical / Experimental / Survey]

Environment

[Lab setup, OS versions, hardware specs]

Dataset

[Source, size, collection period, any sampling]

Tools & Frameworks

[List primary tools with versions]

Procedure Steps

Step 1: [Data Collection / Sample Gathering]
        - Describe sources and collection methods

Step 2: [Analysis / Processing]
        - Describe analytical techniques applied

Step 3: [Testing / Validation]
        - Describe how you validated results

Step 4: [Documentation]
        - How results were recorded and verified

05 Findings & Analysis

Present your results with data, evidence, and analysis. Use tables, charts, and code samples to support findings. Separate raw findings from your interpretation.

Findings Template

Finding #1: [Title]
  Severity:    [Critical / High / Medium / Low / Informational]
  Evidence:    [Data points, logs, screenshots]
  Impact:      [What this means for defenders / attackers]
  Confidence:  [High / Medium / Low]

Finding #2: [Title]
  ...

Statistical Summary:
  - [X]% of samples exhibited [behavior]
  - [Metric] increased by [X]% compared to baseline
  - [Other quantitative results]

Always distinguish between correlation and causation. Be transparent about limitations in your data or methodology.

06 Case Studies / Proof of Concept

Provide concrete examples that demonstrate your findings. Each case study should follow a consistent format.

Case Study Format

=== Case Study [#]: [Descriptive Title] ===

Background:
  [Context for this specific example]

Setup:
  [Environment, configuration, preconditions]

Execution:
  [Step-by-step walkthrough with evidence]

Results:
  [What happened, with supporting data]

Analysis:
  [How this supports your broader findings]

If including exploit PoCs, follow responsible disclosure. Redact sensitive information and include appropriate warnings.

07 Mitigations & Recommendations

Provide actionable recommendations organized by audience and priority.

Critical

[Immediate actions to address highest-risk findings]

High

[Important changes for near-term implementation]

Medium

[Best-practice improvements to adopt over time]

Low

[Long-term strategic enhancements]

08 Conclusion & Future Work

Summarize key findings and their significance
Restate the problem and how your research addresses it
Acknowledge limitations honestly
Propose specific directions for future research
Include a call to action for the community

09 Appendix & References

Include supplementary material: raw data tables, full configuration files, extended code samples, and a complete bibliography.

Reference Format

[1] Author(s). "Title." Publication/Source, Year. URL
[2] Author(s). "Title." Publication/Source, Year. URL
[3] CVE-YYYY-XXXXX — [Brief description]. NIST NVD.
[4] MITRE ATT&CK — [Technique ID]: [Technique Name]