
Q&A: Flashpoint’s Ian Gray on Navigating Dark Web Monitoring Challenges and Trends For 2025
Expert Insights interviews Ian Gray, VP of Cyber Threat Intelligence at Flashpoint.

Dark web monitoring is an important way for organizations to proactively monitor for cyber-crime affecting users or customers, such as stolen credentials, leaked data, or intellectual property theft.
“Without comprehensive, actionable intelligence, organizations face blind spots that can jeopardize security,” says Ian Gray, VP of Cyber Threat Intelligence at Flashpoint, a leading vendor in the dark web monitoring space.
But increasingly, teams monitoring the dark web face unique challenges as adversaries utilize encrypted platforms and private channels to evade detection.
Gray is a former US Navy Surface Warfare Officer with extensive global security experience. At Flashpoint, he oversees strategic intelligence on cybercrime and fraud activity. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Fordham University, teaching cybersecurity and technology policy.
In this Q&A, Gray addresses the challenges with dark web monitoring, the dark web trends expected in 2025, and strategic planning priorities for security teams looking to implement a robust dark web monitoring solutions.
Q. What are the biggest challenges facing organizations in the dark web monitoring space today and how are threats evolving?
One of the greatest challenges in dark web monitoring is the difficulty of accessing elusive, high-value data sources where adversaries operate. These forums and marketplaces often require specific credentials or in-depth understanding to navigate effectively. Many solutions rely too heavily on automated scraping or broad datasets, which can result in irrelevant noise or overlooked critical insights.
Threats themselves are evolving rapidly. Adversaries are leveraging encrypted platforms, creating private invite-only spaces, and frequently migrating to new channels to evade detection. Moreover, the convergence of cyber and physical threats has made it essential to understand the broader context of risks. Without comprehensive, actionable intelligence, organizations face blind spots that can jeopardize security.
Q. How does the Flashpoint Ignite platform help to teams address these challenges, and how do you differentiate the platform in this competitive space?
Flashpoint Ignite stands out because it combines the broadest and deepest collection of high-value data with analyst-driven insights. We go beyond automated data collection by embedding experienced intelligence experts who actively engage in these hard-to-reach online spaces. This ensures our customers have access to relevant, timely, and actionable intelligence that they can trust.
Ignite integrates these insights into an intuitive platform that enables security teams to identify and mitigate risks swiftly. It offers real-time alerting, enriched analysis, and customizable dashboards to prioritize threats and reduce noise. Unlike many competitors, Flashpoint pairs technology with human expertise to deliver context-rich intelligence tailored to an organization’s unique needs. This approach ensures that teams can move beyond reactive measures and proactively protect their people, assets, and operations.
Q. What are your top recommendations for CISOs in the process of looking for a dark web monitoring solution?
For CISOs evaluating dark web monitoring solutions, I recommend focusing on three key areas:
- Data Relevance and Coverage: Ensure the platform provides access to diverse, high-value sources that are actively monitored and updated by human analysts. This helps avoid blind spots and ensures actionable insights.
- Integration and Usability: The solution should integrate seamlessly with existing workflows and tools, allowing analysts to act quickly without adding unnecessary complexity to their processes.
- Noise Reduction: Look for platforms that excel at cutting through the noise, providing insights aligned with your organization’s priorities. This minimizes the time analysts spend sifting through irrelevant data and helps focus on what matters most.
Q. What trends do you expect to see in the dark web threat landscape in 2025?
We anticipate several trends shaping the dark web threat landscape in 2025. First, adversaries will continue to diversify their communication methods, embracing decentralized platforms and encrypted communication tools to stay under the radar.
Additionally, the rise of generative AI will likely enhance their ability to execute sophisticated phishing campaigns, craft deepfakes, and automate other malicious activities.
We also foresee an increase in collaboration between threat actors across different geographies, leveraging shared marketplaces and toolkits to amplify their impact. To counter these developments, organizations will need intelligence solutions that are agile and capable of adapting to this dynamic landscape.
Q. In your view, what should organizations’ top dark web planning priorities for 2025 be?
Organizations should prioritize:
- Proactive Threat Mitigation: Invest in platforms that can identify threats before they escalate, with early access to actionable intelligence on vulnerabilities, compromised credentials, and emerging threat actor tactics.
- Integration Across Security Domains: Focus on solutions that bridge cyber and physical intelligence, providing a holistic view of risks to safeguard assets and operations comprehensively.
- Analyst Efficiency: Equip teams with tools that enhance their productivity, such as automated workflows and advanced search capabilities, allowing them to focus on the most critical threats.
By aligning their strategies with these priorities, organizations can stay ahead of adversaries and ensure a robust security posture in 2025.
Further reading
- Read our guide to the Top Dark Web Monitoring Solutions.