The Dark Web: A Gangster’s Paradise?
12 January 2027
6:00-7:30pm
Online
Event status:
Applications being accepted
Location:
Online
Dates:
12 January 2027
Study Format:
Online - live
Fees:
£15.00
Lecture by Dr Craig Jarvis
Explore cyberspace’s criminal underworld, examining both hacking and cyber security, to understand the tangled chaos of the dark web.
Discover the origins of the dark web, and learn how the network was designed for anonymity and how this anonymity enables modern day illegality. We will discuss how cybercrime evolved from being driven by individual innovators of the 1980s to being controlled by today’s multi-national criminal enterprises.
We will also survey the different types of cybercrime and examine prominent case studies. You will examine how crypto-currencies are driving seismic changes in criminal playbooks and enabling ransomware, a pernicious threat to the world’s digital ecosystem that threatens global disruption.
Throughout this course, we will analyse how governments are countering cybercrime, not only be advising defensive security improvements to potential victims, but by deploying offensive hacking techniques and psychological operations.
Please note:
- Whilst this lecture examines a technical subject matter, it is not a technical course.
- Due to the nature of the contents of this lecture, it is not suitable for people under 18 years old.
- This lecture will close to enrolments at 23:59 GMT (UTC) on 7 January 2027.
Register for the whole series or individual lectures
This lecture is part of the 'National Security and Cyber: Crime and Terrorism' lecture series, taking place on Tuesdays from 12 January to 16 February 2027. You can choose to register for individual lectures or may choose to register for the entire lecture series at a reduced price.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
IT requirements
We will be using Zoom for the livestreaming of this lecture, and you will be able to submit questions via the Zoom interface. Joining instructions will be sent out prior to the start date. We recommend that you join the session at least 10-15 minutes prior to the start time – just as you might arrive a bit early at our lecture theatre for an in-person event.
Please note that this lecture will not be recorded.
Dr Craig Jarvis
Craig is an independent academic specialising in national security and technology. He lectures at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and Royal Holloway. His next book, ‘Cyber Terrorism: Extremism & Hacking’ will be published in 2026. Previous works include ‘CryptoWars: The Fight for Privacy in the Digital Age‘ and contributions to ‘Next Generation Enterprise Security‘. His research also appears in peer-reviewed journals, including ‘Intelligence and National Security’.
Craig holds a PhD in cybersecurity and history and has earned master’s degrees in international security, information security, and classical music, studying at Oxford, King’s College London, and Royal Holloway.
With extensive industry experience, his last permanent role was Chief Technology Officer at DXC Security, then the world’s largest security services provider. At DXC, he founded DXC Security Labs, spearheading advancements in cybersecurity research and development.
Craig remains deeply engaged with the private sector, particularly in finance, where he advises major banks and private equity firms on security strategy, architecture, and cyber due diligence. As a member of the Offensive Cyber Working Group’s College of Experts, he contributes to research and policy development in offensive cybersecurity. He is also the founding chair of the Geopolitics-Cyber Community of London Experts (GeoCyclone), an organisation bringing together business leaders, academics, and policy makers to share knowledge on national security and digital technologies.
He is currently studying Mandarin (HSK4).
Craig is active on LinkedIn, often posting details of upcoming courses and ongoing research.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Event Fee | £15.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit or are a full-time student in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of the event fee. Please note that the discount does not apply to catering or accommodation.
Module code: O26P130DSL
Please use the ‘Book’ button on this page. Alternatively, please contact us at events@conted.ox.ac.uk to obtain an application form.
