Dark Web Intelligence: A Critical Layer in Modern Cybersecurity Strategy

Guest blog courtesy of CYRISMA.

Over the past few years, cybercriminal activity on the Dark Web has evolved dramatically, with threat actors working in an increasingly structured manner with distinct business units and specialized roles.

This article explores how the Dark Web—a deliberately hidden portion of the internet requiring specialized tools to access—has become both a marketplace for stolen data and a command center for criminal operations. As ransomware groups evolve their tactics and increasingly target vulnerable small and medium businesses, organizations need proactive intelligence strategies to detect threats before they materialize into breaches.

With the Dark Web Intelligence market projected to grow at over 21% annually, reaching $1.66 billion by 2034, understanding this hidden realm has become essential for managed service providers (MSPs) offering cybersecurity services.

The Deep Web and the Dark Web – Understanding the Difference

The internet as we know it is just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the surface lies a vast realm known as the Deep Web, and within it, the shadowy Dark Web. These terms are frequently used interchangeably, but they represent distinct concepts.

The Deep Web

The Deep Web encompasses any web content that isn't indexed by standard search engines, including:

Personal email accounts

Online banking portals

Subscription-based services

Cloud storage

Internal corporate networks

The Deep Web is significantly larger than the surface web, potentially hundreds of times so. It's a vast repository of information and services that are not publicly accessible but are generally legitimate.

The Dark Web

The Dark Web, in contrast, is a small, deliberately hidden portion of the Deep Web. It requires specific software, configurations, or authorization to access, and is designed to provide anonymity. This makes it valuable for legitimate users seeking privacy but also creates a haven for cybercriminals operating in the shadows.

While precise figures are elusive, estimates suggest the Dark Web comprises approximately 5% of the total internet. This seemingly small fraction harbors an immense amount of illicit activity, including the trade of stolen data, illegal goods, and malicious software.

How Cybercriminals Operate on the Dark Web

The Dark Web serves as a hub for various illicit activities, operating with sophisticated infrastructure.

Underground Marketplaces

Dark Web marketplaces function like e-commerce platforms, selling stolen data (credit card numbers, personal identifiable information, intellectual property, access credentials and more), drugs, weapons, and malware. They feature vendor ratings, escrow services, and cryptocurrency payments for anonymity, creating a thriving economy for cybercriminals on a global scale.

Leak Sites

Ransomware groups and other malicious actors use these sites to publish stolen data as leverage against victims. This tactic, known as double extortion, adds significant pressure on victims to pay ransoms, as the threat of public data exposure can be devastating.

Discussion and Hacking Forums

These forums facilitate the exchange of hacking tools, techniques, and stolen data. They include sections for exploit sharing, malware development, and data breach discussions, serving as breeding grounds for cybercriminal collaboration and innovation.

Specialized Criminal Services

The Dark Web ecosystem has evolved to include specialized roles:

Advertising Software and Services: Much like other businesses, cybercriminals actively advertise malicious software, hacking services, and other illicit offerings, including custom malware, DDoS-for-hire services, phishing kits, and botnet rentals.

Initial Access Brokers (IABs): These specialized criminals focus on gaining initial access to high-value targets' networks, then selling these access credentials to other cybercriminals like ransomware operators.

Just like legitimate businesses, cybercriminal operations have developed increased specialization, with different actors becoming active at different stages of criminal activity, such as malware development, data exfiltration, or negotiation with victims.

Evasion Tactics: How Threat Actors Avoid Detection

Cybercriminals employ sophisticated tactics to maintain anonymity and evade law enforcement:

Tor and Similar Networks: These tools anonymize IP addresses and encrypt traffic, providing a cloak of invisibility that allows cybercriminals to operate with relative impunity.

Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin and Monero are commonly used for transactions, providing a layer of anonymity through decentralized, untraceable transactions.

PGP Encryption: Used to secure communications and protect sensitive information, ensuring only intended recipients can access sensitive data.

Dead Drops: Physical locations for exchanging goods or information, adding a layer of physical anonymity that makes it difficult to link online activities to real-world identities.

Regular URL Changes: Dark web sites frequently change their addresses to avoid takedowns, making it challenging for law enforcement to track and disrupt illicit activities.

The Evolution of Ransomware Operations

Ransomware groups operating on the Dark Web have significantly evolved their operations over recent years, with several key trends:

Adoption of the ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) model

Implementation of double and triple extortion techniques

Development of affiliate programs

Increased specialization within criminal enterprises

Shift to SMB Targeting

More recently, there has been a marked shift from high-profile attacks targeting large establishments to a focus on small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Following significant law enforcement actions against larger ransomware groups like LockBit in 2024, newer, more agile ransomware groups changed tactics, targeting SMBs.

These smaller businesses make attractive targets because:

They are typically easier to compromise

Smaller attacks invite less scrutiny from law enforcement

These incidents often receive minimal media attention

The attacks can "fly under the radar," allowing cybercriminals to minimize their risk of detection

Current Ransomware Landscape

Recent statistics highlight the growing ransomware threat, despite global law enforcement action against some high-profile threat actors in recent years.

In 2024, 94 ransomware groups listed victims, a 38% increase from the previous year

The total number of victims posted on ransomware leak sites in 2024 was 5,728, an 11% increase year-over-year

Also in 2024, RansomHub replaced LockBit as the top ransomware group

The current top five ransomware groups are RansomHub, LockBit, Play, Akira, and Hunters International

The Business Case for Dark Web Monitoring

Dark web monitoring provides crucial benefits for organizations of all sizes:

Risk Management Advantages

Early Detection of Data Breaches: Organizations can identify compromised data before it's exploited, allowing for timely mitigation and reduced impact.

Protection Against Follow-up Attacks: Leaked credentials can be used for account takeovers and additional attacks; monitoring enables rapid response to prevent further damage.

Supply Chain Risk Reduction: Monitoring can reveal security gaps in third-party partners and vendors, helping organizations vet potential business relationships for cyber resilience.

Compliance and Regulatory Benefits

Regulatory Adherence: Monitoring helps organizations meet proactive risk management requirements under various frameworks.

Documentation for Audits: Provides evidence of security due diligence for regulatory reviews.

Incident Response Timelines: Helps organizations meet mandatory breach notification deadlines by identifying compromises early.

Response Strategies After Discovering Dark Web Exposures

When organizations discover their data on the dark web, immediate action is crucial. Here are a few potential measures that organizations can take following detection:

Credential Reset Protocol: Force password changes for all affected accounts immediately.

Exposure Assessment: Determine what specific data has been exposed and its sensitivity level.

Forensic Investigation: Identify the source and method of the breach to close security gaps.

Legal and Compliance Notification: Fulfill mandatory reporting requirements to regulators and affected individuals.

Enhanced Monitoring: Increase surveillance of potentially compromised systems and accounts.

Threat Hunting: Proactively search for indicators of compromise that might suggest attackers are still present.

Security Control Reassessment: Review and strengthen access controls, encryption, and other protective measures.

The Growing Dark Web Intelligence Market

The Dark Web Intelligence market is estimated to go up to $0.76 billion in 2025 – an 11 percent increase from last year. It is further projected to grow at a CAGR of 21.4% over the next several years, reaching $1.66 billion by 2034.

Some of the factors driving this demand include:

Rising frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks and evolving ransomware tactics

Escalating financial and reputational damage caused by breaches

Stringent data protection regulations worldwide and noncompliance penalties

Increased integration of AI and machine learning for automated analysis

Expansion of threat intelligence sharing networks

Growing focus on supply chain security, which can be vetted using Dark Web Monitoring

Opportunities for Managed Service Providers (MSPs)

For MSPs looking to expand their service offerings, this is a great time to incorporate dark web monitoring into their portfolio.

Business Advantages

Increased Client Demand: Growing awareness of cyber threats is driving demand for comprehensive security services.

Complementary to Core Services: Dark web monitoring enhances existing security offerings by providing early threat detection.

Competitive Differentiation: Adding this capability helps MSPs stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Shift from Reactive to Proactive: Positions MSPs as strategic security partners rather than just incident responders.

Recurring Revenue Stream: Monitoring services can be offered as subscription-based solutions, providing a stable income stream.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, dark web monitoring has transitioned from a specialized security function to an essential component of comprehensive risk management. Organizations that implement proactive dark web intelligence capabilities gain critical visibility into potential threats before they materialize as breaches, providing time to strengthen defenses and mitigate damage.

For cybersecurity professionals and MSPs, dark web monitoring represents both a critical security layer for protecting clients and a strategic business opportunity. By adding these capabilities to security programs, organizations can significantly enhance their cyber resilience in an increasingly threatening digital landscape.

CYRISMA’s Dark Web Monitoring Feature

CYRISMA's Dark Web Monitoring feature, which received a major update in March 2025 to improve results and visualization, and increase detection accuracy, is designed to help MSPs discover potential breaches early and enhance their risk reduction services. By offering comprehensive dark web scanning and analysis capabilities, CYRISMA empowers MSPs to deliver more well-rounded security services and differentiate themselves from competitors.

CYRISMA’s core features also include sensitive data discovery and financial impact estimates which, when combined with Dark Web Monitoring, help build a strong foundation for zero-trust security.

To learn more about CYRISMA’s complete feature-set, Book a Free Demo today!