How Criminals are Using Big Data for Their Crimes

For all the advantages big data has given to organizations, one that has proven especially beneficial is its use in tracking down and capturing criminals. The utilization of massive sets of data to figure out where criminals will strike and how they will act has given a major boost to law enforcement officials. Predictive analysis is key to busting the culprits. Many businesses have embraced this technology has well as they seek to protect their most valuable data. However, for all the advantages it provides, big data can also be used by the enemy. In fact, that’s exactly what we’re seeing. Security breaches are on the rise, and massive databases have been compromised. Considering the amount of information at risk in the internet economy, organizations have reason to be concerned. It’s clear that cyber criminals view big data as their next effective tool, and security experts are warning that the worst may be yet to come.

Perhaps it should come as no surprise that hackers have turned to big data analytics as another weapon within their arsenal. Hackers gravitate towards technologies that make their goals easier to achieve, and considering that many big data tools are based on open source software, gaining access to them is relatively easy. Big data is simply another part of criminals’ strategy, allowing them to act with more agility and sophistication, while also executing their cyber attacks more quickly.

In some cases, the use of big data by criminals is a necessary evolution for them. Many cyber criminals now traffic in massive information, selling valuable data to the highest bidder in the shadowy corners of the internet. A simple data breach at a major organization like Target can result in millions, even tens of millions of records containing multiple data sets falling into their hands. Sorting through that information manually is a nearly impossible task for even a small group of people, let alone one person. But with big data analytics, criminals can mine that data for the most useful information in a fraction of the time, effectively monetizing it for their own purposes. Big data algorithms basically turn stolen data into useful data.

Whether the target involves financial outlets or retails organizations hackers see a lot that can be gained by using big data to launch their attacks. Through big data analytics, hackers can set up automated attacks that focus on a large variety of targets. Not every attack will be successful, of course, but due to the sheer scale of the cyber warfare being conducted, success can be achieved even if only a few hit their intended target. All it takes for one breach to unleash a treasure trove of information that can pay big dividends for the successful hacker.

Sending out so many attacks at once can result in some hits, but even if the attacks don’t lead to a huge amount of stolen data, that may not be the point of the attacks. Some criminals launch these big data attacks to first gather basic data from a target. By correlating that data with other stolen information, criminals can then have the data they need to launch even bigger attacks. In other words, hackers have learned to use big data to steal simple information that can then be used on more extensive and damaging campaigns. A minor hack could only be the start of something far worse at some point down the line. With more data at their disposal, hackers find it easier to launch their attacks, and if there’s one thing criminals like, it’s an easy target.

Businesses may worry that big data has become the problem when it comes to cyber criminals, but big data may also be the solution. Using it for protection, however, requires companies and organizations to know more about it and how to adopt its solutions effectively. That includes an emphasis on protecting data through encryption and stronger access controls. Behavioral analytics can also pinpoint when a crime is likely to take place, giving ample warning before something damaging occurs. The main takeaway from this growing trend is that big data is merely a tool. It can be used by criminals for nefarious means, and it can be used by businesses to protect themselves. If the right preparation happens now, the challenge posed by cyber criminals can be mitigated.