The digital dark web has evolved into a clandestine marketplace where illicit activities flourish under the cloak of anonymity and it also affects the governments and their operations at a macro level. Due to its restricted digital accessibility, it exhibits a decentralized structure with less stringent enforcement of digital security controls, making it a common marketplace for malicious digital activities. The Internet of Things (IoT), with its digital devices’ interconnected nature and vulnerabilities, has become an attractive target for cybercriminals operating out of the digital dark web. One weak digital link – i.e., a compromised IoT device – can compromise the entire digital network’s security.
The financial repercussions of a breached digital device can be vast, not just in terms of digital ransom demands but also in digital regulatory fines, loss of digital reputation, and the cost of digital remediation. Government intervention is crucial to combat these digital threats and enforce digital security measures to protect digital infrastructure and digital citizens.
