diff --git a/backend/app/services/heatmap_service.py b/backend/app/services/heatmap_service.py
index a6672d5..d39c657 100644
--- a/backend/app/services/heatmap_service.py
+++ b/backend/app/services/heatmap_service.py
@@ -259,36 +259,30 @@ def build_threat_actor_layer(
         if is_actor_technique and score < min_score:
             continue
 
-        if is_actor_technique:
-            tc = test_counts.get(tech.id, 0)
-            rc = rule_counts.get(tech.mitre_id, 0)
-            metadata = [
-                {"name": "tests_count", "value": str(tc)},
-                {"name": "detection_rules", "value": str(rc)},
-            ]
-            if tech.last_review_date:
-                metadata.append(
-                    {"name": "last_validated", "value": tech.last_review_date.strftime("%Y-%m-%d")}
-                )
-            layer["techniques"].append({
-                "techniqueID": tech.mitre_id,
-                "tactic": _format_tactic(tech.tactic),
-                "color": _score_to_color(score),
-                "score": score,
-                "comment": f"Used by {actor.name} - Coverage: {tech.status_global.value}",
-                "enabled": True,
-                "metadata": metadata,
-            })
-        else:
-            layer["techniques"].append({
-                "techniqueID": tech.mitre_id,
-                "tactic": _format_tactic(tech.tactic),
-                "color": "",
-                "score": 0,
-                "comment": "",
-                "enabled": False,
-                "metadata": [],
-            })
+        # Only include techniques actually used by this actor — skip the rest
+        # so that tactics with no actor techniques are hidden in the matrix.
+        if not is_actor_technique:
+            continue
+
+        tc = test_counts.get(tech.id, 0)
+        rc = rule_counts.get(tech.mitre_id, 0)
+        metadata = [
+            {"name": "tests_count", "value": str(tc)},
+            {"name": "detection_rules", "value": str(rc)},
+        ]
+        if tech.last_review_date:
+            metadata.append(
+                {"name": "last_validated", "value": tech.last_review_date.strftime("%Y-%m-%d")}
+            )
+        layer["techniques"].append({
+            "techniqueID": tech.mitre_id,
+            "tactic": _format_tactic(tech.tactic),
+            "color": _score_to_color(score),
+            "score": score,
+            "comment": f"Used by {actor.name} - Coverage: {tech.status_global.value}",
+            "enabled": True,
+            "metadata": metadata,
+        })
 
     return layer