Dark web monitoring services are becoming increasingly popular with businesses that take data privacy seriously.
The last thing you want is for your business information, or worse, client data, to end up in the wrong hands on the dark web.
So, having a dedicated service that monitors the dark web on your behalf can nip the issue in the bud and ensure data protection.
The Dark Web: A Growing Cyber Threat
The dark web is the hidden part of the Internet you can’t access through regular browsers. Websites on the so-called dark web aren’t indexed by popular search engines.
In fact, you need a different browser, like Tor, to access it. While not all websites and activities on the dark web are shady, most are.
But how is that relevant to your business? The answer lies in data breaches. Last year, there were over 3,200 data breaches, impacting over 353 million individuals.
The data stolen through breaches often ends up on the dark web for exploiters to use. For instance, an e-commerce company may be targeted for customer financial information. That information may be sold to bad actors on the dark web so they can steal money from people.
Similarly, sensitive information such as email and passwords can end up on the dark web. And threat actors, which may include your competitors, can exploit this information.
So businesses must take a proactive approach and tackle potential misuse of information through the dark web.
Benefits of Using Dark Web Monitoring Services
Hiring a service for dark web monitoring can increase your operational expenses, but it’s an investment worth exploring. Here’s how this service can benefit your business:
Damage Control in the Event of a Breach
If your business information is present on the dark web, chances are you’re a victim of a data breach.
Now, outside or even inside actors can be behind the breach, but a dark web monitoring service minimizes damage.
With data detected promptly, you can begin damage control. For instance, if an employee's access credentials have been compromised and added to the dark web, you can quickly change them to prevent unauthorized, malicious access.
Even if the information isn’t necessarily damaging, you can take steps to remove it so that your data is not present on the dark web at all.
Prevent Financial and Reputational Damage
At the end of the day, it’s all about money. Data available on the dark web is more often than not used for financial gains.
Depending on your business, a big financial hit may cause it to go under. It’s happened to many small and even large businesses, where financial loss from data breaches caused irreparable damage.
But it's not just your financial health on the line, your reputation can also suffer.
Suppose customer information, especially personally identifiable information (PII), falls into the wrong hands. If the customer finds out that your company is the subject of a breach, your reputation is damaged.
Customers may not trust you with their information, which can seriously hinder growth and even result in lawsuits.
Compliance
Data protection and privacy regulations require companies to protect user data. Whether the data is of their employees or customers, it’s their duty to prevent hacks and breaches.
Such regulations have been adopted in many regions. According to the United Nations, 78 percent of countries worldwide have some form of data protection legislation.
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines. And with some regulations like GDPR in Europe enacting fines of millions, you don’t want to risk data privacy.
Improvement of Security
If your business data is on the dark web, chances are your cybersecurity provisions aren’t working.
It can be a wake-up call to step back and assess your security strategy and the tools you rely on.
You may want to audit your security policies and measures to find ways to improve them.
If the current security tools aren’t enough, you may want to switch and find something better.
So, a dark web monitoring service can double as an indicator of your current security.
Compromised data indicates that there’s still room for improvement.
Who Should Use Dark Web Monitoring Services?
Big or small businesses can benefit from hiring a dark monitoring service provider. Even if your business doesn’t collect customer information, keeping a look out on the dark web is recommended.
That’s because internal information can be leaked on the dark web. So, regardless of business niche or model, knowing when your data is on the dark Internet can be helpful.
It’s all the more important for businesses that are liable to comply with data protection and privacy regulations.
Cyberlynx offers detailed reports with its dark web scans. Businesses can determine if their data has been compromised and if any credentials are on dark web databases or websites.
The detailed report provides key insights and helps you control the information. You can delete compromised accounts or change their access. It also provides insight into the overall digital security level.
With periodic checks, you can keep an eye out for data breaches and take control of your information.
FAQs
What is threat intelligence?
Threat intelligence is the process of collecting and analyzing data on cyber threats, including attacker motivations, tactics, and targets. This knowledge helps organizations proactively defend against cyberattacks.
With threat intelligence, you can take a proactive approach to preventing attacks.
What is active dark web monitoring?
Active dark monitoring works around the clock. It continuously scans hidden marketplaces and forums for data breaches, leaked credentials, or discussions about targeting specific organizations.
What is the objective of the dark web?
The dark web itself isn't inherently malicious. Its purpose was to offer anonymity, which can be useful in certain situations, such as journalists or activists in restrictive regimes.
However, the anonymity also attracts criminals who use it for illegal activities like selling stolen data or plotting cyberattacks. That’s why the dark web has earned a negative reputation.