What Is Initial Access Brokering? Understanding the Cybercrime Trade
Neil Hare-Brown- Apr 28
- 3 min read
Not every hacker that attacks a business breaks in themselves. Increasingly, cybercriminals rely on a growing underground economy: Initial Access Brokers (IABs).
These specialists don't steal data or deploy ransomware directly. Instead, they sell access — providing entry points into companies’ networks for others to exploit.
Here’s what businesses need to know about initial access brokering, how it works, and how to defend against becoming the next "for sale" target.
How Initial Access Brokering Works
Step 1: Find Vulnerabilities or Steal Credentials
Brokers hunt for weak points — exposed VPNs, remote desktop (RDP) services, unpatched systems — or they harvest employee credentials through phishing or dark web markets.
Step 2: Gain and Maintain Access
They quietly enter the network or cloud service, establish persistence (like installing backdoors or keeping stolen session tokens active), and avoid detection.
Step 3: Advertise the Access for Sale
Access is listed on dark web forums or private cybercrime marketplaces, usually based on:
Company size and revenue
Industry (high-value targets like finance, law, healthcare fetch higher prices)
Level of access (admin privileges are worth more)
Step 4: Sell to the Highest Bidder
Buyers — often ransomware gangs, nation-state actors, or fraudsters — purchase the access and launch their own attacks.
Why Initial Access Brokers Are a Growing Threat
✅ Lower Skill Barrier
Even amateur cybercriminals can buy ready-made access, no hacking required.
✅ Increased Ransomware Risk
Many ransomware attacks start with access bought from brokers.
✅ Supply Chain Risks
Third-party providers and smaller vendors are common targets because they can be easier to breach.
✅ Stealth and Persistence
Access may be maintained for weeks or months before it's sold — meaning your systems could already be compromised without you knowing.
Common Signs Your Business Might Be Targeted
Strange new accounts or privilege escalations
Unusual VPN, RDP, or remote service logins from odd locations
Endpoint detection alerts showing reconnaissance behaviour (e.g., network scanning)
Discovery of dormant malware loaders (like Cobalt Strike) without active ransomware
If you notice these signs, act fast — you may be listed for sale or already under preparation for a larger attack. Learn more about types of cyber incidents your business could face.
How to Defend Against Initial Access Brokering
Strengthen External Defences
Patch exposed services quickly, enforce VPN hardening, and disable unnecessary remote access points.
Enforce Strong Identity Controls
Use multi-factor authentication everywhere — stolen passwords alone should not grant entry.
Monitor for Credential Leaks
Use threat intelligence services to monitor dark web marketplaces for stolen employee credentials linked to your domain.
Deploy Advanced Endpoint Detection (EDR)
Catch stealthy, fileless activity that traditional antivirus might miss.
Run Cyber Exercises
Simulate lateral movement and stealthy access attacks during cyber incident exercising to sharpen your detection and response skills.
How STORM Guidance Can Help
✔ Dark web monitoring for stolen credentials and access listings
✔ Incident response for stealthy breaches and early access threats
✔ Endpoint security audits and hardening advice
✔ Cyber incident exercising to simulate stealth and persistence scenarios
✔ Strategic threat intelligence to stay ahead of emerging access trade trends
Don't Let Your Business Become a Commodity
Initial access brokers have turned compromised companies into commodities for sale — ready for ransomware, fraud, or worse.
The earlier you detect and disrupt stealthy entry points, the better your chances of preventing devastating attacks.
For broader advice on securing your business against evolving threats, explore Storm Guidance’s cybersecurity services.
