Combating Data Breaches
We live in a time where it’s pretty typical to get notified of data breaches. It’s not something that anyone wants to hear, but it’s important that we know where our information stands today so we can better protect it in the future.
Although, we may be familiar with data breaches, often, our understanding of what causes them is limited. It’s important to have a solid understanding of the source of the breach in order to be better prepared and possibly prevent it in the future.
Where Do Data Breaches Start?
At the core of a data breach is always the same thing: a person. An individual who is tech-savvy enough to break into systems and extract sensitive information. Or, it can also stem from people not protecting their information or accidentally providing their information too readily to individuals who have malicious intents.
What Companies Can Do
One of the best things that companies can do to protect information is to ensure that all employees have proper training. One of the most common tactics of hackers is to create a phishing email, which then leads to a person giving up their information. At that point, the information can be used in a variety of ways.
Fortunately, since training programs have been introduced, breaches via phishing emails have dropped drastically. The hope is that not only will people avoid interacting with this type of scheme, but that they will also report it when it does occur.
Evolution of Data Breaches
Unfortunately, one of the most frustrating things about data breaches is that the moment we think we’ve finally put a lid on some of the common tactics, another method is created. This is why ongoing training is essential.
Hacking may change over time, but we should always be willing to learn those tactics so that we can protect ourselves from moving forward. It’s less about knowing all of the ways a person can accomplish a data breach and more about what we can do once it happens.
For more tips regarding data breaches, check out: Building a Cybersecurity Plan for the Unknown.
