Interpol Sets Up Mock Dark Market To Address Cyberthreats Associated With Cryptocurrencies

In July, the international police organization Interpol created its own dark net and fictional cryptocurrency in order to simulate some of the challenges that law enforcement agencies face when it comes to digital currencies.

The event was designed to shine a light on some of the illicit behavior that goes on in the dark corners of the web and make crime fighting organizations more aware of the risks associated with the use of cryptocurrencies.

Mock Dark Web

The event allowed participants to role-play as several different components of dark web operations including vendors, dark market operators, buyers and law enforcement teams. Throughout the course of the five-day exercise, Interpol orchestrated several different scenarios in which law enforcement infiltrated a dark web market.

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Goals

The aim, the organization said, was to promote understanding of how the dark web operates and what role cryptocurrency plays in cybercrime. While the event was largely focused on the negative aspect of cryptocurrencies, many believe that such training programs are necessary in order to make the use of digital currencies safer. Illicit dark web operations like Silk Road give cryptocurrencies like bitcoin a bad name and make the public hesitant to accept them, so cracking down on some of the dark web crime associated with digital currencies will likely have a positive effect on the perception of bitcoin.

Future Events

Interpol's July dark web exercises were the first of their kind, but the organization is planning to continue conducting them in an effort to stay on top of the ever changing landscape of cybercrime. A second course has already been scheduled for November in Brussels.