Study Warns of Cyber Professionals Transitioning to Criminal Activity
The Disturbing Trend of Cyber Professionals Embracing Criminality
In a concerning trend, discouraged cybersecurity professionals, including skilled developers and AI specialists, are resorting to offering their expertise on the dark web to supplement their income. Moreover, individuals from various professions impacted by technological advancements, such as machine learning, are also exploring illicit opportunities.
The Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec) has issued a strong cautionary statement, revealing its discoveries from scouring the dark web. Among the alarming findings are advertisements placed by seasoned cybersecurity experts offering a range of illicit services.
For instance, a Python developer advertises services including the creation of VoIP chatbots, hacking frameworks, and phishing schemes for a fee as low as $30 per hour, citing personal financial needs. Another developer, boasting nearly a decade of experience, offers to craft phishing pages, clone financial platforms, and engage in other illicit activities. Similarly, a third individual offers AI-assisted services for coding, phishing, and document analysis starting at $300.
Surprisingly, CIISec’s investigation uncovers individuals from diverse professional backgrounds venturing into cybercrime. Voice actors, for instance, express willingness to engage in social engineering operations, citing a downturn in legitimate opportunities due to technological advancements. Furthermore, advertisements from PR professionals for hacker collectives highlight the globalization of cybercrime, offering services ranging from hacking social media accounts to acquiring personal data for a fee starting at $100.
CIISec’s CEO, Amanda Finch, emphasizes the concerning implications of these findings, linking dissatisfaction with wages and working conditions to the exodus of cybersecurity professionals into criminal activities. Citing research predicting a significant departure of security leaders from the industry due to stress and long working hours, Finch underscores the urgency of addressing these issues to prevent further attrition.
The dark web research, conducted between June and December of last year by an undercover investigator known as Mark, underscores the gravity of the situation. Mark expresses concern over the ease with which skilled professionals are drawn into criminal endeavors, highlighting the vast array of transferable skills advertised on illicit platforms.
In a nutshell, the study serves as a stern reminder of the fragile intersection between cybersecurity, professional dissatisfaction, and criminal temptation, urging concerted efforts to address underlying issues and safeguard against further erosion of ethical boundaries within the industry.
With vigilance and resolve, Denise B. 🔒🛡️💻🔐
