Dark Web – the Underestimated Threat and Why It Matters for Your Organization’s Cybersecurity

Only 14% of small and medium businesses consider their cybersecurity posture as highly effective. Is your company among those 14%?

You may think so. Just like AT&T, Dell, Bank of America, Ticketmaster and other large enterprises thought before they all encountered data breaches in 2024.

This year in May, hackers leaked over 40 million customer records from Ticketmaster, including order history, payment details, names, addresses, and email information. The company advised customers to monitor their accounts and credit statements as the investigation is still ongoing. The Justice Department is preparing to file a lawsuit against Live Nation, Ticketmaster’s parent company. – The Hill

Nightmare, isn’t it? Now think about your organization facing such consequences. Are you prepared to mitigate them?

Is It Too Late?

Data breaches are coordinated, deliberate, and, in most cases, enabled by the Dark Web. Companies unknowingly have their sensitive data, credentials, or vulnerabilities exposed and sold in the shady corners of the internet. The question you should be asking is: could this happen to my organization? We’ll go ahead and answer that for you: yes, it can. Or maybe it already did.

For many businesses, the Dark Web is either misunderstood or completely ignored. It’s often seen as a distant threat or a place only criminals care to pay a visit to. But make no mistake, the Dark Web plays a central role in cyberattacks, data breaches, and the illegal trade of stolen information.

Here’s FS Group’s expert insight for you: without monitoring the Dark Web, your cybersecurity strategy is incomplete.

Is The Dark Web Really That Dangerous?

Websites on the Dark Web are accessible only through specific software like The Onion Router (Tor) and operate on the “.onion” top-level domain, so yes, they’re designed for anonymity and thus are dangerous. Why? Because it makes the Dark Web an ideal marketplace for cybercriminals, who use it to trade stolen credentials, hacking tools, and insider information.

And trust us when we say it: the danger is real and it’s closer than you think. Once your organization’s data ends up on the Dark Web, it might be already too late. Cybercriminals can buy and sell your sensitive data without your knowledge. IBM’s report from 2023 revealed that compromised credentials led to $4.35 billion in losses worldwide, with an average cost of $9.4 million per breach in the U.S. alone.

Now imagine discovering your data on the Dark Web only after it has been exploited.

Key Insight: Your organization could already be at risk, with your data, credentials, or sensitive company information for sale on the Dark Web without you even suspecting it.

Threats That Lurk in the Dark Web

The Dark Web is a thriving marketplace for various types of cybercriminal activity:

• Stolen Credentials & Insider Threats: Employee credentials often end up for sale on the Dark Web. Once these credentials are in the wrong hands, it opens the door to unauthorized access, putting your entire business at risk.
• Malware & Ransomware Toolkits: The Dark Web offers a vast selection of malware and ransomware kits for purchase. The concept of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) is becoming more common, and it enables even the least experienced cybercriminals to target your business with relative ease.
• Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) Groups: These groups, often backed by nation-states, use the Dark Web to organize, plan, and launch targeted attacks. Ukraine and Poland have already seen the impact of these threats, particularly given the ongoing cyberwar orchestrated by russia.

FS Group has developed its expertise in handling cyberattacks in the most volatile digital landscape in Europe – Ukraine. Our niche expertise in threat intelligence and advanced products and services provide organizations with real-time insights into these threats, allowing businesses to act before they escalate. By monitoring Dark Web forums and marketplaces, FS Group can help you detect and respond to threats before they hit your business.

Why You Should Care: The Cost of Ignoring the Dark Web

Ignoring the Dark Web isn’t an option. A data breach that originates from Dark Web activity can have devastating effects, including financial, reputational, and operational damages.

• Financial Losses: In 2020 alone, businesses in the U.S. reported nearly $129 million in losses due to Dark Web-related data breaches. By 2023, that number had skyrocketed, with the average cost of a data breach hitting $4.45 million. Can your organization afford to take that risk?
• Reputation Damage: Once your company’s data is for sale on the Dark Web, the trust you’ve built with your customers and partners is… well, gone. And rebuilding it can take years.
• Corporate Espionage: The Dark Web is where trade secrets, intellectual property, and strategic corporate data are exchanged. Losing control of this information will inevitably cripple your competitive advantage.

Insight: The average cost of a data breach in 2023 was $4.45 million. Can your organization afford to take that risk?

Are You Doing Enough? Questions CISOs Need to Ask Themselves

Throughout the article, we’ve mentioned the various risks the Dark Web poses to your organization. But have you asked yourself these crucial questions?

• Have you monitored the Dark Web for mentions of your organization?
• Do you have an incident response plan for Dark Web-related threats?
• Can you track the sale of stolen credentials, intellectual property, or customer data?
• Do you know what malware tools are targeting your industry on the Dark Web?

If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” your organization is at risk. But FS Group is here to help. With our Dark Web monitoring products and services, we provide real-time insights into potential risks, helping you stay ahead of cybercriminals.

FS Group’s Dark Web Monitoring: Your First Line of Defense

So, what can you do to protect your organization from Dark Web threats? FS Group collected actionable recommendations that you can implement for your company’s security measures right now:

• Adopt a Zero-Trust Model: The zero-trust approach to security underscores verifying every access request, regardless of its origin, to minimize the risks of suspicious log-ins. It utilizes comprehensive intelligence and analytics to detect and respond to anomalies in real time.

• Continuous Monitoring: Implement monitoring solutions that can scan both the Surface Web and the Dark Web for potential threats or exposed data related to your organization. FS Group’s DeepCobalt offers continuous Dark Web monitoring to prevent such attacks. It provides real-time alerts on credential leaks, breaches, and malware, tracking over 200 billion compromised credentials globally. With government-grade SIGINT, businesses receive actionable alerts to mitigate threats quickly. DeepCobalt covers a range of leaked data and integrates easily via API or web application. The early warning system is crucial in preventing and mitigating the impact of data breaches.
• Employee Education: Human error remains a major vulnerability. Train your staff to recognize phishing attempts that could lead to credential theft and subsequent Dark Web exposure. FS Group offers comprehensive phishing simulations to test and improve your employees’ awareness of cyber threats.
• Incident Response Planning: Don’t wait until you’re in the middle of a breach to plan your response. FS Group’s Incident Response Team (IRT) is ready to assist you with handling Dark Web-related incidents at any time of the day. We will be there to investigate how the incident happened and who was behind it, and mitigate the consequences. Our team is equipped with comprehensive tools for vulnerability assessment to address cyber threats, conduct in-depth incident data analysis, and provide actionable recommendations for preventing future data breaches.
• Penetration Testing: Regularly conduct penetration tests to identify vulnerabilities in your systems before malicious actors can exploit them. FS Group’s penetration testing services follow best practices and standards, including OWASP, NIST, and ISACA, ensuring a thorough assessment of your company’s cybersecurity.

Act Today to Protect Your Organization 

Underestimating the dangerous potential of the Dark Web and every moment of inaction could be putting your organization at risk. Are you sure you can afford to wait until a breach happens to take action?

FS Group is here to offer you proactive, world-class cybersecurity services, helping you stay ahead of Dark Web threats. Our products and services are designed to help private businesses and governmental organizations around the globe prevent and investigate cyber crimes and mitigate risks associated with data breaches and data leaks.

Reach out for a consultation and start taking the steps necessary to secure your business.

Why FS Group?

• Over 11 years of market experience with 500+ cyber incidents investigated and resolved.
• Unique Big Data capabilities from Deep Web and Dark Web.
• Experience hardened by real-world cyber conflicts, particularly the russian-Ukrainian cyberwar.
• A full range of cybersecurity services, from prevention to investigation and resolution.
• Commitment to exceeding client expectations through professional, high-quality service.

By entrusting your company’s information security to the FS Group expert team, you will be able to turn the challenges of the Dark Web into a strategic advantage. Our cyber army on demand will be on the watch of your security and constantly monitor, analyze, and respond to Dark Web threats, ensuring your organization stays ahead in the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. Our experienced team is ready to handle your organization’s cyber incidents with a comprehensive range of cybersecurity services, from Security Audits to Penetration Testing, Vulnerability Assessments, and Incident Response. We provide SMB-friendly pricing, so you get enterprise-level protection that won’t kill your budget.

Knowledge is power – and FS Group is here to empower you.

Don’t wait for a breach to occur before taking action. Contact FS Group today to learn how we can help protect your organization from Dark Web threats and strengthen your overall cybersecurity posture.