With everything online now, your business data is one of your most valuable assets. But have you ever wondered if that sensitive data is already circulating on the dark web, outside of your control?
It's a sobering thought, and not as unlikely as you might hope. Let's explore how dark web monitoring works and why it's crucial for your business security.
About 5% of UK internet users have accessed the dark web. And contrary to popular belief, it's not just isolated hackers in hoodies typing code in basements. The dark web hosts sophisticated, organizsed operations that quietly profit from stolen business data.
According to a recent report by E2E-Assure, "The dark web has evolved into a sophisticated marketplace where even non-technical criminals can purchase tools to launch devastating cyberattacks on businesses of all sizes".
The threat is growing at an alarming rate. Research shows that over 560,000 new cyber threats are discovered daily in the UK, many originating from dark web activities.
Even more alarming: Cybercrime through the dark web is costing the UK economy £27 billion annually.
Let that sink in for a moment.
If you're responsible for a business of any size, this should be a wake-up call to take proactive measures, starting with Dark Web Monitoring.
Dark Web Monitoring tools are a proactive defence strategy. Instead of waiting for a breach to occur, this service continually scans hidden corners of the internet for your sensitive information, including:
This monitoring solution provides threat intelligence by searching through dark web marketplaces, forums, and sites where cybercriminals buy and sell stolen data.
Once your data is exposed on the dark web, there's no "undo" button. The damage is done.
Without monitoring, your business becomes vulnerable to:
The financial impact can be devastating. According to recent statistics, the average cost to remedy a cyber attack for UK businesses has risen to £21,000, further straining resources, especially for smaller organisations.
Here's a concerning statistic: While 24% of dark web listings in the UK are for drugs, stolen corporate credentials and ransomware-as-a-service kits follow closely behind.
Yes, you read that correctly. Ransomware is now sold as a service, just like your favorite streaming platform.
The threat landscape is rapidly evolving. E2E-Assure notes that "over 60% of UK businesses experienced at least one data breach attempt in 2024, with credential theft being the most common vector" and "the average time between a credential leak appearing on the dark web and the first attack attempt using that credential is just 7 days".
