There is always the danger of cyber threats when it comes to online presence. Part of the internet called the dark web is known for trading stolen information and other illegal activities that take place outside the public eye. Needless to say, it’s important for businesses to protect themselves.
Dark web monitoring tools can help you detect data breaches and other potential risks before they spiral out of control. With so many different options on the market, though, how can you choose the right one for your company? In this guide, we will go over the key factors you need to consider when selecting a tool that will be right for you.
Understanding Dark Web Monitoring
Dark web monitoring is the process of scanning the darknet for any signs of your company’s sensitive information. The problem is that the dark web is not indexed by regular search engines and requires special software to access. This is where many criminals sell stolen data, including personal information and financial details, among other things.
The dark web monitoring software allows companies to determine if data has been compromised and if the answer is yes — take immediate action. It’s the best way to mitigate further reputational damage.
Key Features of a Dark Web Tracking Tool
Companies like ImmuniWeb offer tools that provide features that best meet the needs of your company. Here are some key ones to consider:
Real-Time Alerts
One of the most important features of any monitoring tool is real-time alerts. You need to know about any problem as quickly as possible to take appropriate action. The faster you can address an issue, the less harm it will cause to your business.
Coverage
Make sure the tool covers both dark web and deep web scanning. The dark web is just a small part of the hidden part of the internet, and most threats may come from elsewhere. A good monitoring tool should be able to scan through multiple layers of the internet.
Customization
Every business is different, and what works for one may not work for another. Look for a tool that lets you customize it. Maybe you need to track your company or product name, employee details, trademarks, or anything else that makes sense for your company.
Data Protection
The second important point is privacy. Any service used in the dark web should secure all data gained in the course of monitoring to not lead to any additional exposure. You may want to consider reviewing the privacy policies of the service you’re considering.
Reporting
Apart from real-time alerts, the tool should be able to give specific overview reports. They should provide insight into the trends, activity patterns, and threats detected. You can analyze them yourself to gain additional insights that might help you improve your cybersecurity efforts on the whole.
Integration with Existing Security Systems
The dark web monitoring software should be user-friendly. The last thing you want is a complex system that’s difficult to navigate — especially in a time of crisis. Look for a tool with an intuitive interface that makes it easy for your team to use, like the one provided by ImmuniWeb.
The product should integrate nicely with your pre-existing cybersecurity stack. If your company is using firewalls or any other products, it should be able to integrate with them to make the whole system cohesive.
Accuracy and Detection
Accuracy is essential. False positives — alerts that are triggered when there’s no real threat — can waste valuable time and resources. Similarly, missed threats are worse in this case, considering they leave you with a problem that was never brought to your attention.
Most of the advanced tools are powered by which in turn improves its detection accuracy. This tech helps tools recognize potential threats quicker and more precisely. A solution like this can detect data breaches and other risks with minimum error.
Scalability and Customization
When selecting a dark web monitoring tool, keep in mind your company’s size and future growth. Some tools are more suited for smaller businesses, while others are designed for big enterprises. Any good tracking tool should support scalability without taking a hit to the performance.
Customization also extends to scalability. Your business might need specific features as it grows — maybe it’s tracking more keywords, looking into additional employee data, increasing the number of alerts, etc. A scalable tool will adapt to these needs beautifully.
Customer Support and Service
Customer support is maybe not a thing that comes to mind immediately when you’re thinking about tracking your company’s information throughout the darknet — and yet. If you are in a stressful situation, namely discovering a threat to the livelihood of your business, you would want a good customer support service on your side, if something goes awry after all.
It’s great if there are channels that are available 24/7 or consultations you can get that will help you get used to the new tool you chose. If this service fails at the time when you need it most, it will just add an insult to an injury. So read reviews and make sure there’s nothing to worry about on this front.
Budget Considerations
As much as monitoring is important, most software has different costs. Some of these tools will charge on a subscription basis, while others may accept one-time payments. The cost depends on the features mostly, which is well worth looking into.
Your best bet will be to analyze your budget ahead of time and decide what features are the most important for your business. After all, getting a tool will still be more affordable than dealing with a data breach.
Conclusion
The choice of dark web monitoring tool depends on many things: functionality, ease of use, and scalability — there’s a lot to consider. If you consider the particular needs your business has ahead of time, you will be able to figure out what you would need in the software you get.
Monitoring the dark web is an upfront investment. It will help you avoid cyber threats and save your brand’s integrity. Start evaluating options today to be prepared for tomorrow.
