What is Data Breaches ? 10 Causes and Prevention for Data Breaches

A data breaches occurs when non-authorized individuals are given access to confidential, private, or secure information. This information might be entered into a computer, but is also possible for printed or spoken information. This unauthorized access can occur through a number of tactics, including hacking, phishing, malware attacks, and physical breaches, all of which can have negative consequences for the affected company and the individual whose information is exposed due to a breach. 

For the company, this can include loss of income, financial repercussions, legal consequences, and a damaged reputation. This last outcome can also be harmful to individuals, whose identity may be stolen and who could suffer other economic and social problems. 

At the business level, a data breach can also mean that customer data is exposed, or that trade secrets or other confidential business information are revealed, which is why it is crucial that companies take preventive measures and prepare a plan for responding when a breach occurs.

Do you know that 77 percent of businesses reported that they had suffered a data breach in 2016, and the average breach costs $3.62 million? Data breaches are costly and damaging and can be difficult to prevent — but organizations need to proactively act to secure sensitive data.

What are the common reasons for Data Breaches?

Data breaches occur for a wide range of reasons, from clumsy employees to state-of-the-art cyberattacks. The most popular causes include:

1. Phishing Attacks: 

Cybercriminals often use phishing emails to trick people into providing sensitive information, such as credit card numbers and login credentials, which can be used to gain unauthorized access to data.

2. Weak and Stolen Credentials: 

Using weak or stolen usernames and passwords is one of the most common methods for hackers to gain unauthorized access to systems.

3. Insider Threats:

Sometimes employees or other insiders are responsible for breaches when they accidentally or intentionally share information with unauthorized parties. This can be caused by simple carelessness or be a malicious act.

4. Ransomware and Malware

Malware can be implanted to give cybercriminals access to networks, to encrypt or lock data, and then to demand the user pay a ransom to unlock it – a technique known as ransomware.

5. Lack of Data Encryption: 

Data that is not encrypted, or is encrypted (but with inadequate strength) is easily accessible to unauthorized parties.

6. Inadequate Network Security: 

This category can cover cases in which the network has been breached because: firewalls are not armed or have aged into uselessness; antivirus software is outdated; or, software and systems have not been patched or upgraded to safeguard them against known exploits.

7. Vulnerabilities Linked to Third Parties: 

Many companies exchange data with third parties. If the third party does not have strong security protocols, they may be the weakest link in the breach.

8. Accidental Sharing: 

Inadvertent data exposure can result from errors such as providing private information to the incorrect person, configuring databases incorrectly, or failing to properly dispose of outdated technology.

9. Physical Theft or Loss: 

Sensitive information may be lost on computers, external hard drives, and mobile devices, among other things.

11. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs): 

An intruder gains access to a network and stays hidden for an extended amount of time through these sustained and focused cyberattacks.

A thorough strategy for security is necessary to prevent data breaches. This includes training staff members, using strong passwords and encryption, managing patches on a regular basis, and being aware of third-party dangers.

How to Prevent Data Breaches in a Company

A data breach can happen to organizations of any size — and hackers’ capabilities are becoming more sophisticated all the time. Those with effective, comprehensive policies that cover people, procedures, and technology will have the best chance of defending against these increasingly serious threats. This buyer’s handbook explains how the leading enterprise content management system (ECM) technologies and other concepts can help reduce the risk of data breaches in organizations.

1. Recognize and Assess Potential Vulnerabilities

The first step in protecting your business from a data breach is to learn how they happen and what causes them. Regular risk assessments will help you pinpoint possible security flaws in hardware and software, keeping in mind every part of your business including remote access points and third-party services.

2. Encrypt Sensitive Data

Encrypt data at rest and in transit. After data is encrypted, it appears as complete nonsense to anyone who does not possess the decryption keys, rendering it unreadable and worthless.

3. Software Hacks

Cybercriminals use security flaws in out-of-date software to orchestrate data breaches. Regularly updating all software with the latest security patches will close these costly weaknesses.

4. Implement Strong Access Control Measures

Strong access control policies ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive information. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to provide an extra layer of protection against the use of stolen credentials, a common cause of data breaches.

5. Train Employees on Security Best Practices

Employee education is key since human error is frequently the cause of data breaches. Training should include how to spot and avoid phishing efforts, what not to do with corporate-issued personal devices, and guidelines for password management and data access.

6. Create a Thorough Incident Response Plan

An efficient incident response plan will allow you to act quickly to minimize the damage caused by a data breach. This plan will include procedures for stopping the breach, evaluating its impact, notifying the relevant parties, and resuming service if possible.

7. Constantly watch for threats and take action

The danger of a data breach can be decreased by using real-time detection and alert systems for suspicious activity to assist in quickly identifying and neutralizing possible threats. Finding trends or recurrent vulnerabilities is made easier by routinely analyzing logs and security events.

8. Safe Handled Physical Entry

Protecting sensitive data and vital infrastructure from unwanted physical access is essential to preventing physical data breaches. This covers safeguarding physical records, server rooms, and data centers.

9. Foster a Culture of Safety

An organization’s security-conscious culture makes sure that everyone takes ownership of safeguarding confidential data. A company’s defensive posture against data breaches can be strengthened by providing regular updates on security vulnerabilities and a clear route for reporting security concerns.

10. Conduct Frequent Security Audits

Third-party security audits can provide an objective assessment of an organization’s security posture by pointing out gaps in the system and making recommendations for strengthening it to fend off data breaches.

Conclusion

A comprehensive strategy that takes into account procedural, technological, and human aspects is needed to lower the risk of data breaches. Through comprehension of data breaches and the use of these tactics, an organization can greatly reduce the chances of an occurrence and safeguard its information, image, and financial stability. Since new vulnerabilities and threats are discovered and evolve, it is critical to regularly review and update these techniques.

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