The dark web can be seen as the hidden part of the internet. It is a network of websites and forums not indexed by search engines. You can only access it through specialized tools that protect your anonymity.
No ordinary citizen has any reason to visit it. As such, it has become a haven for criminals to conduct their activities peacefully. Hackers are free to swap information and resources with one another. They work collaboratively to develop new ways to attack their victims. This makes the dark web one of the most significant cybersecurity threats.
But did you know that businesses aren’t helpless to this threat? By actively monitoring it, you can identify potential threats as and when they happen. And you reduce their impact.
The dark web is extensive, and navigating it can seem daunting. So, what can a business do to minimize the threat? What should they focus on? And how can you shine a light on shady practices without exposing yourself to further harm? Let’s explore.
The Importance of Monitoring the Dark Web
The dark web thrives on being ignored. By burying your head in the sand, you’re giving them free rein to openly discuss your business.
Hackers often hedge their bets that businesses aren’t clued in on what is happening across its many websites and forums. For this reason, dark web monitoring has become essential to cybersecurity. This practice involves searching for information that mentions a business or its customers.
But what’s the point in chasing bad news? What benefits could you get from finding what hackers are saying about you? Well, consider the following:
Early Threat Detection
With any cyberattack, the longer it takes you to respond, the bigger the impact. Early detection is crucial. By being aware of a problem, you can put proper defences in place to reduce the damage caused.
One of the core reasons why monitoring the dark web is essential is because it gives you time—time to identify vulnerabilities and time to put in place an effective plan.
One of the core reasons why monitoring the dark web is pivotal is that it helps improve threat detection. By being aware, you can go into action mode when needed.
Reputation and Sensitive Data Protection
Personal data is among the most common things available on the dark web. Hackers are hungry for private details that they can use in future cyberattacks. When this information gets leaked, it can cause enormous stress to all affected.
And the business found at fault can suffer enormous reputational damage. Take Facebook as an example. In 2019, the social media giant made headlines when data from over 267 million accounts appeared on hacker forums.
The data included personal names, friend lists, and phone numbers. Experts feared this information could be used in future phishing attacks. Facebook’s slow response to the attack only added to the scandal.
Threat monitoring ensures you’re given valuable time to react during a breach. If customer data is leaked, you’re alerted to it as soon as possible. Customers can trust that you can notify them as soon as something happens.
Data Protection Legalization
Speaking of customers, monitoring the dark web is fast becoming a legal requirement. Data protection laws compel businesses to protect customer data and regulate how a business must act in the event of a breach.
Take the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as an example. It is the gold standard in data compliance. Article 33 states that a business has 72 hours to notify affected people of a breach. Businesses must also report all the measures they take to mitigate cybersecurity risks.
By monitoring the dark web, you can identify cybersecurity threats in real-time information. You can report a potential breach as soon as possible, fulfilling all your legal requirements. Best of all, you can list it as another way you comply with data regulations.
How can You Protect your Business on the Dark Web?
The dark web can be a vast place. Businesses may feel out of depth in how they can pinpoint where their information may appear. Or they might be fearful of how to interact with websites. Thankfully, there are ways to simplify monitoring while still staying safe.
A threat exposure management platform is a comprehensive way to protect yourself on the dark web. With this system, a business can track threats across entire hidden networks. Alerts are sent in real-time, empowering you to make informed decisions quickly.
Platforms can use specific keywords to identify any mention of your business across entire forums and databases. They can also help identify compromised credentials or possible malware infection.
Altogether, threat exposure management platforms provide continuous protection. They can give you peace of mind that when a threat emerges, you’ll be able to act there and then to mitigate risk.
Despite the above, you should also take care of the below tips,
- Schedule regular backups to ensure you can recover data in case of a breach.
- Simulate cyberattack scenarios to prepare and improve your response plans.
- Maintaining all internet-accessible services requires MFA to add an extra layer of security
- Keep all software, operating systems, and applications up to date to protect against vulnerabilities.
- Train your staff on cybersecurity best practices, such as recognizing phishing attempts and using strong passwords.
Facing the Threat of the Dark Web
With layers of anonymity, the dark web acts as the perfect hotbed for criminal activity. Unfortunately, many businesses think it is impossible to shine a light on what is actually happening there.
Dark web monitoring aims to empower businesses. It helps identify threats early and highlights potential vulnerabilities. By being proactive, you can mitigate many devastating cyberattacks. You’ll have more time to respond and make better decisions when potential threats appear.
