RESOURCES
Investing in Dark Web Monitoring: A Practical Guide for Strategic Decision-Making
Should you invest in a Dark Web Monitoring service? The answer is not as straightforward as you might think—it really depends. Whilst Dark Web Monitoring is undoubtedly valuable, where does it rank in your list of priorities? For instance, if you have a limited budget, should you invest in Dark Web Monitoring or a Security Awareness Programme? The answers to such questions vary for each organisation, but there are some general principles that can guide your decision-making process.
Broadly speaking, Dark Web Monitoring tells you two things: (1) if you have been breached and your sensitive data has been leaked at some point, and (2) if hackers are currently planning a targeted attack against your company using previously breached data or publicly accessible information. While these aspects are extremely valuable to know, the first piece of advice here is that you should not invest in a Dark Web monitoring tool or service if:
- you do not have the capacity or defined plans to act on the findings.
- the Dark Web Monitoring is not part of a larger set of cybersecurity action plans whereby concepts such as employee awareness, incident response plans, multi-factor authentication are also defined and in your arsenal.
Another consideration is whether you are buying the right Dark Web Monitoring Service. Today's commercialisation of Dark Web & Threat Intelligence Services is based on providing different categories of information to customers. The more categories you buy, the more you pay. Many customers opt only for credential leak information or dark web mentions to stay within their budget. However, considering modern attack methods, identifying a hacker's or threat actor's preparation against an organisation requires comprehensive coverage of the dark, deep, and surface web. This includes revealing third-party related leaks, fake social media accounts, look-alike domains, hacker communications, and more. Those considering a Dark Web Monitoring solution should aim for one that offers the widest range of information categories in its entry-level license.
Threat actors don't always start from scratch when targeting an enterprise or individual application. Often, they choose their targets based on practical information that has already leaked. This means a compromised account is not always obtained through a brute-force attack. Instead, an attacker might find login information in a data dump on a dark web forum and use this readily available information to launch a Business Email Compromise (BEC) attack. Such attacks are often equipped with Adversary-in-the-Middle (AitM) and phishing techniques that utilise recently registered look-alike domains.
Additionally, Detection and Response services detect activity only after it has become an actual threat. They may identify threats in the early stages or react very late, depending on the circumstances. Unfortunately, some threats remain undetected in enterprise networks, even after they turn into breaches. This occurs not just because of limitations in Detection and Response services—the threats themselves can be highly sophisticated.
These facts create a cycle: enterprises experience data leaks, which result in some actors targeting them. They then face threats and breaches, leading to further leaks.
Consequently, Dark Web monitoring emerges as a crucial component of an organisation's security arsenal. It helps detect intelligence before, during, and after breaches, assess the criticality of this information, and aids in identifying appropriate countermeasures.
This is why Dark Web monitoring must be comprehensive. It should monitor all aspects that may contain critical information and intellectual property. Monitoring leaked credentials alone only reveals the aftermath of a completed attack and helps prevent future ones—it doesn't show what happened or how the breach occurred. The threat actor may remain undetected in the network, potentially selling intellectual property on the dark web or preparing for further financial exploitation.
Finally, whilst conducting this monitoring, it's crucial to eliminate false positives to avoid wasting the precious time of cybersecurity teams and operations. You cannot overwhelm security operations with outdated leak information (something found and dealt with years ago, credentials of an employee who has already left the company and had all their accounts revoked, etc) or with a false positive finding (a domain looks like a look-alike domain but actually a legitimate domain etc). The service or the tool you plan to invest should have the capability to filter out the noise based on your company’s requirements.
Also, there are some use cases, you definitely need dark web monitoring service or tool, no matter what:
- Mergers and Acquisitions: When considering a company for acquisition, Dark Web Monitoring should be part of your cyber due diligence. It reveals potential security risks and data exposures related to the target company, helping you avoid inheriting unforeseen issues as a result of the M&A transaction.
- Financial Institutions: Companies dealing with extensive financial transactions are prime targets for social engineering attacks like Business Email Compromise (BEC). Dark Web Monitoring can provide early warnings of such threats.
- Supply chain-intensive operations: Monitor companies in your supply chain for data breaches. A breach affecting a partner company may expose your company's sensitive information.
- High-Risk Industries: Organisations in sectors like healthcare, government, or critical infrastructure which handle sensitive data, can benefit significantly from the threat intelligence provided by Dark Web Monitoring.
Conclusion: A Tool in Your Cybersecurity Arsenal
Dark Web Monitoring can be a powerful tool in your cybersecurity arsenal, but it's not a silver bullet. Its value depends on how well it integrates with your overall security strategy and your ability to act on the intelligence it provides. Before investing, assess your organisation's specific needs, risks, and resources. Remember, cybersecurity is not about having every tool available, but about having the right tools that work together effectively to protect your digital assets.
To explore Cynode’s Dark Web Monitoring you can visit https://cynode.com/services/proactive-hardening-services/dark-web-monitoring-services or request a 10-day free Dark Web Monitoring service herehttps://cynode.com/cynode-free-services
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Managing Cyber Risk with CTEM and Beyond
Cynode Ultima takes the complexity out of cyber threat management with its all-in-one security platform. Building on Gartner's CTEM framework, we've created a solution that brings together essential security tools - from threat intelligence and vulnerability prioritization to dark web monitoring and attack surface management - in one place. The article explores why organizations often struggle to implement security programs that meaningfully reveal their true risks and security gaps. We show how Ultima bridges this gap by providing an integrated approach that helps businesses understand and address their actual security exposures, making advanced threat management both accessible and actionable.
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The Persistent Threat of Business Email Compromise
Business Email Compromise is a sophisticated type of email and identity based attack that doesn't rely on malware or malicious links. Instead, it leverages social engineering tactics to manipulate human trust and judgement. This makes BEC attacks particularly challenging to detect and prevent, even for organisations with robust protection infrastructures and cyber security awareness programmes.
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The Risks of Increasing SaaS Use
Organisations increasingly rely on cloud applications, with small enterprises using over 20 SaaS apps per user and large companies exceeding 250 per company. This growth introduces significant cyber security risks, including unauthorised access and Shadow IT, where unsanctioned apps are used without oversight. To mitigate these risks, companies need advanced monitoring solutions like Cynode’s MDR for Cloud Apps Shadow IT, which offers visibility, consent policy enforcement, and threat detection across SaaS platforms, ensuring security and compliance.
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Interview with Senior Cyber Advisor Per-Olov Kask
Delve into the fascinating career journey of a seasoned cyber security professional who has dedicated over three decades to the ever-evolving IT and cyber security landscape. Starting as an IT technician in 1993, our expert quickly rose through the ranks to become a country IT manager, driven by a passion for combating emerging cyber threats. In 2022, this journey led to an impactful role at Cynode as a Senior Cyber Advisor. Join us as we explore his experiences, insights, and the innovative approaches that make Cynode a leader in the cyber security field.
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Regular EDR Policy Tuning
The cyber security world has recently focused on EDR technology due to its significant impact across industries. This post explores the evolution from early antivirus software to EDR platforms. Key milestones include the introduction of commercial antivirus software in 1987, the emergence of heuristic and behavioural detection methods in the early 2000s, and the development of Next-Gen Antivirus (NGAV) in 2010. EDR solutions, emerging around 2013, are crucial for detecting, investigating, and mitigating security threats but require regular policy updates and meticulous tuning for optimal performance.
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Mastering Log Management: Enhancing SIEM and SOC Efficacy
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Understanding WebApp Exposure
WebApp Exposure Monitoring involves regular assessments and updates to perimeter defence platforms like WAF policies, ensuring alignment with the latest threat intelligence. Having a proactive stance to WebApp attacks is crucial as cyber threats incredibly fast, often outpacing traditional security defences. The process of continuously monitoring web applications allows organisations to more readily detect anomalies and respond to threats in real-time, minimising the risk of data breaches and other cyber incidents.
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Introduction to Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs)
Businesses increasingly struggle with cyber security management, especially with limited resources. Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) like Cynode offer comprehensive, efficient solutions, managing everything from security infrastructure to incident response, often using cloud services for cost efficiency. This article explores the benefits and services MSSPs provide, underscoring their importance in modern cyber security strategies.
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Improving SIEM Efficacy as the Market Evolves
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Welcome Konrad Falk as Our New Senior Cyber Advisor & Architect!
Konrad brings extensive experience in Cyber Security and IT, with a background in programming, networking, and security. Passionate about securing companies and educating others, he values the trust of our leadership and is eager to manage security incidents and tackle evolving threats hands-on.
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“Trust me, I was an engineer” – Björn Nilsson
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Cynode Boosts Team with Gustav Bivstedt's Technical Expertise
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Meet our "VP of Product" Cumhur Hatipoglu
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Hacking and Cyber Warfare Go Hand in Hand
Sweden, amidst its NATO application and tensions with Russia and Turkey, has experienced a rise in political cyber-attacks. Groups such as Anonymous have targeted governmental infrastructures, leading to data leaks. Escalation of cyber-crime and nation-state backed cyber warfare necessitates global enhancement of defense measures.
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EU updates NIS Directive. Are you compliant?
The European Union introduced the NIS 2 Directive to improve the cyber security of critical infrastructure systems within its member states and to ensure that digital service providers and operators of essential services have adequate security measures in place to secure their networks and data.
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Rise of Cyber Due Diligence in M&A Processes
Sweden's post-pandemic economic recovery has spurred M&As. Cynode emphasises integrating cyber due diligence to address vulnerabilities, protect essential information, and optimise security spending, enhancing the security posture before, during and after M&As.