The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), launched a joint report on the dark web and cyber-crime-as-a-service and its 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 examines 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.
This report, together with the findings and recommendations contained therein, is intended to inform strategic initiatives and strengthen counter-terrorism efforts, safeguarding cyberspace for present and future generations. It is tailored for a diverse audience, including policymakers, law enforcement, cybersecurity professionals, and researchers, and is structured to allow these diverse readers to access the findings regardless of their level of technical knowledge or understanding.
The launch took place in New York, at the UN Headquarters at an event organized by UNICRI, UNOCT and the Permanent Mission of Korea. In his opening remarks, Mr. Christophe Monier, the Secretary-General’s Representative on UNICRI’s Board of Trustees said that “Cybercrime-as-a-service looms large on the dark web and we must be evermore vigilant of trends and developments in cybercrime when we think of cyber-enabled terrorism.”
UNOCT / UNCCT Director, Mr. Mauro Miedico, complemented this, adding 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 the Republic of Korea.
