Cyber threats rarely announce themselves at the network perimeter. Instead, they begin in the hidden, illicit corners of the Internet and messaging platforms where credentials, sensitive data, and cybercrime tools are bought and sold.
This activity is invisible to traditional security solutions. It represents a critical blind spot for businesses, especially if they don’t have in-house threat intelligence resources.
Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) are well positioned to close this gap. By integrating credential monitoring into their service offering, MSSPs can give their clients early warnings of attacks and help to stop breaches before they happen.
Why standard security tools fall short
Most endpoint protection tools, firewalls, and SIEM systems are focused on threats that cross the network boundary or trigger anomalies. However, this is no longer enough to keep organizations safe.
Today, information is the fuel for cybercrime, and 80% of successful attacks use stolen personal data. Compromised login details and leaked personal data circulate undetected in underground networks. Many organizations don’t know their data is out there until they’re attacked, and this is why proactive threat intelligence is vital for staying safe.
The proactive role of MSSPs
In today’s threat landscape, reactive security and responding to incidents after they occur are no longer enough. By harnessing cybersecurity threat intelligence (CTI) that incorporates domain- and individual credentials monitoring, MSSPs can provide clients with an early warning system. This can help them stay ahead of cybercriminals and stop attacks before they happen.
To do this, MSSPs can monitor criminal channels to track the trading and exchange of compromised information before it’s weaponized.
This is especially valuable for small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs), who often lack in-house threat intelligence and security teams.
Key areas for monitoring
MSSPs should focus on their monitoring in the following areas:
- Criminal forums and marketplaces: These are sources of emerging attack methods, target lists, and conversations about specific companies or industries. Tracking them helps MSSPs to spot potential threats early.
- Compromised credentials: Usernames and passwords are the assets most traded by criminals. Monitoring solutions continuously scan criminal sites and channels. If user credentials relating to an organization or its partners are for sale, the solution sees it and raises the alarm.
- Leaked sensitive data: Criminals also trade personal details such as names, addresses, ID document numbers, and job roles. They’re used to plan spear phishing and whaling attacks. Early detection allows for prompt response and containment.
- Financial and Payment Data: Credit cards, banking access, and crypto-wallet credentials fuel financial fraud. Discovering such leaks in time helps organizations act before they become actual losses.
Technology, expertise, and actionable intelligence: The MSSP advantage
For most organizations, investing in the tools and an in-house team to perform credential monitoring is out of reach. This creates an opportunity for MSSPs.
MSSPs can use industrial-grade platforms, web crawlers, and integrate threat to provide monitoring services suitable for clients of all sizes. These provide synergies with adjacent detection streams that cover network vulnerabilities and other related risks.
For example, MSSPs can use Cybercheck’s white-label UI solutions and API threat intelligence integrations to enhance their detection and remediation capabilities, delivering greater value to clients with no additional operational overhead.
Supporting ongoing cyber resilience
MSSP partnerships aren’t only about crisis response. Continuous CTI enables organizations to improve their security practices incrementally over time. They can identify recurring patterns, such as password reuse or risky behaviors. In this way, MSSPs can offer their clients strategic guidance and security awareness training that strengthens their long-term posture.
Proactive customer data monitoring also reassures clients. It demonstrates that their provider is committed to privacy and security, going beyond the minimum regulatory requirements.
How MSSPs can stand out from their competitors
Integrating credential monitoring can help MSSPs to differentiate themselves in a crowded market and shift the conversation towards proactive security. Clients gain the reassurance that threats are identified long before they can be weaponized against their organizations.
If you’re an MSSP and you want to integrate Cybercheck’s vast data coverage, same-day warnings, and clear user experience into your IT security value proposition, contact us today.
