Report on the Dark Web and Cyber-Crime-as-a-Service and its impact on cyber-enabled terrorism
The United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), launched a joint report on the Dark Web and Cyber-Crime-as-a-Service and it impact on cyber-enabled terrorism, on Friday 28 June in New York.
Entitled "Beneath the Surface: Terrorist and Violent Extremist Use of the Dark Web and Cybercrime as a Service for Cyber-Attacks", the report looks at the evolving landscape of the Dark Web and Cybercrime-as-a-Service, exploring how terrorists and cybercriminals leverage the cybercrime underground to procure tools and services for nefarious purposes. It aims to shed light on the intricate relationship between terrorism, violent extremism conducive to terrorism, and cybercrime, providing insights and analysis to inform strategies and capacity-building initiatives to counter the convergence of terrorism and cyber threats in the dark corners of the Internet. It highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in attributing cyber-enabled threats and underscores the need for enhanced investigative capabilities and capacity building in this area.
The launch event took place in New York, at the UN Headquarters, and gathered participants, both in-person and online. It was opened by UNOCT / UNCCT Director, Mr. Mauro Miedico. In his opening remarks, he stated that "The dark web, a hidden part of the internet, has become a breeding ground for malicious activities, providing a haven for terrorists and cybercriminals to converge, collaborate, and amplify their impact.
The report was jointly developed by UNOCT-UNCCT and UNICRI, with the generous support of Republic of Korea.