18 Essential Data Security Metrics to Monitor Now
Data Security Best Practices Security Research
What are data security metrics? Security metrics are like your system’s pulse check. They’re quantifiable measurements …
- Breachsense
2. Zerofox
3. CrowdStrike
4. SpyCloud
5. Heroic
6. DarkOwl
7. HackNotice
8. Have I Been Pwned
9. Cyber Intelligence House
10. ID Agent
11. Constella Intelligence
12. Flashpoint
13. Flare
14. ACID Intelligence
15. Keeper Security
Do you need visibility into your clients’ breached data?
Not getting the results you wanted from your current dark web monitoring platform?
According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, 86% of breaches involve stolen, weak, or default passwords.
Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are in the perfect position to reset their clients’ leaked credentials before they’re exploited.
In this post, we’ll cover what dark web monitoring is, the features MSPs need, and the top 15 dark web tools out there today.
Contents
What is dark web monitoring for MSPs?
Dark web monitoring services enable MSPs to search for and monitor the dark web for their client’s information, such as leaked employee or customer credentials, internal company documents, or sensitive financial records. The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines. This includes not only Tor sites but also Telegram channels, criminal marketplaces, and hacker forums requiring authentication.
The goal of dark web monitoring MSP services is to help organizations detect when their sensitive information has been compromised and is being sold or shared on the dark web.
Identifying issues early enables MSPs to mitigate the risk for their clients before criminals exploit the leaked data. Remediation typically includes updating passwords, implementing additional security measures, or alerting authorities.
RECOMMENDED READING: Dark Web Monitoring for MSPs
What causes data breaches?
Before we talk about how dark web monitoring tools work, let’s talk about what causes data breaches in the first place.
Data breaches happen for a number of reasons. These range from technological vulnerabilities to human error.
Here are the top 5 primary data breach causes:
- Weak or Stolen Credentials
- Human error
- Malware
- Insider threats
- Outdated or misconfigured software
RECOMMENDED READING: 5 Most Common Causes of Data Breaches
Who needs dark web monitoring?
As an MSP, dark web monitoring is a valuable service to offer to a variety of clients, particularly those with access to sensitive data. These include:
- Businesses and Organizations: From small businesses to large enterprises, any organization that handles sensitive data such as customer information, financial records, or intellectual property can benefit from dark web monitoring. Dark web monitoring for businesses is especially important in regulated industries that handle sensitive information, like finance, healthcare, and legal services.
- Healthcare Organizations: Given the sensitive nature of medical records and the strict regulations surrounding patient privacy (such as HIPAA in the United States), healthcare organizations are prime targets for cybercriminals. Dark web monitoring can help detect if patient data is being traded or sold online.
- Financial Institutions: Banks, credit unions, and other financial services providers deal with highly sensitive financial data that can be lucrative for cybercriminals. Monitoring the dark web can help these organizations detect potential threats to their customers’ financial security.
- Educational Institutions: Schools, colleges, and universities often hold a wealth of personal information about students and staff, making them targets for identity theft and other cybercrimes. Dark web monitoring can help protect this information.
- Government Agencies: Government entities handle a vast amount of confidential data, from personal information of citizens to classified national security data. Monitoring the dark web can help identify and mitigate threats to this sensitive information.
- Legal and Professional Services Firms: Law firms, accounting firms, and other professional services organizations often handle confidential client information that could be damaging if exposed. Dark web monitoring can help safeguard this information.
- Retailers and E-commerce Businesses: Companies that conduct business online are at risk of having customer data, including credit card information, compromised. Dark web monitoring can help detect if this data is being sold or traded illegally.
- Non-profit Organizations (NPOs): NPOs often handle sensitive information, including donor details, financial records, and personal information of beneficiaries. If this data is compromised and ends up on the dark web, it can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and reputational damage.
RECOMMENDED READING: How To Find Data Breaches
Key features MSPs should look for in a dark web monitoring solution
Dark web monitoring is an essential tool for MSPs to keep their clients safe.
When looking for a dark web monitoring solution, there are several features to look for.
- Comprehensive Data Set: The solution should be able to monitor a wide range of sources on the dark web, including forums, chat rooms, marketplaces, and other platforms where sensitive information is shared or sold.
- Real-Time Alerts: The ability to receive real-time alerts or notifications when a client’s data is detected on the dark web is crucial for quick response and mitigation of potential threats.
- Advanced Search Capabilities: The solution should offer advanced search capabilities to pivot or drill down into specific keywords or other identifiers related to the client’s sensitive information.
- API Support: The solution should support automating queries via an API to automate both detection and mitigation.
- Integration with Existing Systems: The ability to integrate the dark web monitoring solution with other security tools and platforms used by the MSP, such as incident response systems, SIEMs (Security Information and Event Management), or ticketing systems.
- Incident Response Tools: The tool should enable incident response investigators to understand who a threat actor is, other usernames and passwords used by the attacker, as well the ability to pivot on various pieces of information to build a comprehensive picture of an attack.
- Ease of Use and Customization: The software should be user-friendly and intuitive. MSPs should integrate the data and workflow into their current security stack.
Top 10 dark web monitoring solutions
1. Breachsense
Breachsense provides a real-time data breach monitoring solution to help MSPs protect their clients against online fraud, account takeovers, and upcoming attacks. The platform indexes a large variety of sources, including third-party breaches, stealer logs, leaked session cookies, employee credentials, and company data leaked or sold on the dark web. Leaked data from criminal markets, ransomware attacks, and upcoming targeted attacks are indexed as well.
Breachsense supports automated alerts via multiple channels whenever sensitive data is exposed and integrates seamlessly with existing security SIEM and SOC solutions. Breachsense is particularly useful for managed service providers, mid-market to large enterprises, and government organizations.
2. ZeroFox
ZeroFox specializes in digital risk protection with a focus on social media and brand security. The platform monitors social media platforms for threats and provides phishing detection and takedown services. It is designed to protect organizations from digital threats that can impact brand reputation and customer trust. ZeroFox is ideal for mid-market to high-end enterprises with a significant online presence and brand image concerns.
3. CrowdStrike
CrowdStrike Falcon specializes in cyber threat intelligence and dark web monitoring. It provides organizations with insights into cyber threats by continuously monitoring the dark web, underground forums, and other channels for potential risks and indicators of compromise. Falcon X Recon enables security teams to identify and mitigate threats, such as data breaches, targeted attacks, and other malicious activities.
4. SpyCloud
SpyCloud offers solutions for preventing account takeovers and exposing data breaches, with an emphasis on dark web monitoring. The platform analyzes breach data for recovery and helps secure user and employee accounts from fraud and identity theft. It’s tailored to combat online fraud and protect sensitive data, making it suitable for large enterprises.
5. Heroic
Heroic provides cybersecurity solutions focused on threat detection and response. The company’s services include analytics and incident response capabilities to identify and mitigate various cyber threats. Heroic’s approach aims to defend against digital risks before they escalate. Their solutions are a good fit for large enterprises.
6. DarkOwl
DarkOwl Vision specializes in darknet and deep web data intelligence. It enables organizations to monitor and analyze dark web activity for potential threats, data leaks, and other cybersecurity risks. The platform is designed to assist in threat intelligence, security research, and risk management by offering real-time insights and search capabilities.
7. HackNotice
HackNotice provides a threat intelligence platform offering real-time alerts and personalized risk analysis. It focuses on improving cybersecurity awareness and protection for individuals and businesses. The service monitors for data breaches and provides actionable security information, making it a valuable tool for individuals and businesses of all sizes.
8. Have I Been Pwned
Have I Been Pwned is a widely-used online service that allows individuals to check if their personal data was compromised in a 3rd party data breach. It offers a searchable database of exposed credentials and provides notifications for new breaches. This service is geared towards individuals concerned about online privacy and security.
9. Cyber Intelligence House
Cyber Intelligence House offers cyber exposure analysis and vulnerability detection services. It helps organizations assess their online assets and identify security weaknesses. The company’s solutions are geared towards providing vulnerability management, making them suitable for mid to large-sized enterprises.
10. ID Agent
ID Agent specializes in providing dark web monitoring and identity theft protection services. Dark Web ID helps individuals and businesses monitor the dark web for potential threats and vulnerabilities, such as exposed credentials or personal information, to prevent data breaches and identity theft.
11. Constella Intelligence
Constella Intelligence provides identity monitoring and fraud detection services. The platform is designed to protect organizations from identity theft and digital fraud. Constella Intelligence is ideal for mid-market to large enterprises.
12. Flashpoint
Flashpoint specializes in Business Risk Intelligence derived from dark web insights. The company provides intelligence solutions, including threat actor mapping and monitoring of criminal marketplaces. Its services are tailored for large enterprises and government entities.
13. Flare
Flare provides a cybersecurity platform that specializes in dark web monitoring and threat exposure management. It offers automated threat detection across millions of dark web data points, providing businesses with actionable intelligence to make informed decisions about their security risks.
14. ACID Intelligence
ACID Intelligence specializes in providing threat intelligence and dark web monitoring solutions. Their services are designed to help organizations detect and respond to cyber threats by leveraging AI-driven analytics and deep web surveillance techniques.
15. Keeper Security
Keeper Security is a cybersecurity platform that provides password management and dark web monitoring solutions to protect individuals and organizations from data breaches. Their technology helps users securely store and manage their passwords while also offering features like dark web monitoring.
