The Dark Web and Its Threats to Businesses

The major threats to many businesses come from online sources one of which is the dark web.

The dark web often inspires awe among the general public. It is seen as a den for all sorts of criminal activities. Beyond this general view, many organizations don’t consider the dark web (also known as the dark net) relevant to their operations. 

What exactly is the dark web? The web is divided into three parts; the surface, the deep, and the dark web.

The surface web is what you regularly surf and it is accessible to the general public. The deep web is internet resources that are behind a paywall, blocked from indexing, or require authentication to access such as your online bank account.

The dark web is a part of the internet that requires specialized software such as the Tor and the i2p project for accessing them. The dark net has multiple layers of encrypted resources that mask the identity of its users. Regular search engines can’t reach or access this particular online space.

Common Activities

While there are legitimate uses for the dark web, it is dominated by trading in illegal items and stolen data . With the aid of cryptocurrencies, traders’ identities are protected on the dark net.

What Are The Effects

The impact of the dark web can be far-reaching. For some organizations, the dark net only became a reality after a data leak or attack was discovered.

The dark web can not only cause financial loss to your business but reputation damage as well. A challenge an organization may face is not knowing when its confidential data are being traded by cybercriminals.

By the time an attack is detected, it might be too late to react.

What is Sold?

Login Credentials
This is quite a popular commodity on the dark net. Attackers with a large number of stolen passwords can sell the data to one or multiple buyers.

Traded data can be used to impersonate victims and compromise other accounts with reused passwords.


Financial Records

Stolen financial records of victims can be used for money laundering. The victims may be blackmailed into cooperating with the attackers’ demands. Financial records also make it easier for attackers to carry out identity theft and spear-phishing attacks against a business’s employees.


Trade Secrets and Formulas

Organizations’ intellectual property as well as secret processes and methods are also sold on the darknet. Sales of such data can destroy a business’ competitiveness.


Medical Records

Patients’ data from various hospitals and medical institutions are sold on the dark net to third parties who need them for blackmail, phishing, fraud, or identity theft. 


Credit Card

Credit cards are widely traded on the dark web because they don’t require technical skills and they can be used from any part of the world. Individuals bear the direct cost of stolen cards but affected businesses lose the public and consumers’ trust.


Research Data 

Specialized research data are bought by state-level actors wanting to bypass sanctions or research investment. Organizations involved in coronavirus vaccine research have been recently targeted for this purpose.

Other items sold on the dark web include; intelligence reports, government secrets, private and public security blueprints, and schematics for buildings and networks.

Stolen Data as a Service

Typical dark web trade involves an exchange but an emerging trend is to offer stolen data or access as a service. Rather than sell passwords or server access outrightly, malicious hackers can rent them to other cybercriminals as a service.

This form of trade may be facilitated by an outside attacker or a malicious insider with access to confidential systems. 

How to Safeguard your Business Against the Dark Web

Educate your employees. Employees should be educated about phishing, malware threats, and the danger of indiscriminate sharing of personal or organizations’ information to the public. 

Hire a Managed IT Service Provider. As a small business owner, it can be overwhelming to anticipate all the ways that your data could be stolen and traded on the dark net. This is why the services of a knowledgeable IT team is essential for reducing your business’ security risks. An experienced team can continuously monitor the dark web for any activity related to your organization.

A few other ways to keep safe are:

  • Limit access to sensitive data.
  • Avoid storing sensitive customer and business data on unsecured systems.
  • Regularly update passwords and don’t reuse them.
  • Install robust security programs to protect against malware.

Conclusion

As a business owner, you can’t ignore the dark web as it poses threats to all businesses. Adopt an effective security policy and work with a knowledgeable team to manage the threats of the dark web to help keep your business safe. Contact us today for help with your IT security. We can help protect your business from the dark web.

Common IT Security Compliance Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.

Why Cybersecurity and Business IT Support Are Crucial for Fort Wayne Businesses

April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.