It seems like each new day brings grim headlines about a major data breach, and about a business suddenly plunged into legal, financial, and reputational peril. Data breaches can befall businesses of all shapes and sizes, but fortunately, there are some cybersecurity safeguards that can mitigate risk.

A good place to begin is by understanding exactly what causes these data breaches. While data compromises can happen for a number of different reasons, there are a few factors that are particularly common.

What are the Most Common Causes of Data Breaches?

A few of those factors include:

  1. Weak or stolen credentials. Hackers often access confidential data by exploiting login credentials and passwords that are too weak, or that are somehow lost or stolen. In fact, cybersecurity studies show that as many as four out of five hacks are rooted in lost or stolen passwords. Some simple remedies? Make sure all of your organization’s employees use complex passwords, change their passwords regularly, and never share passwords.
  2. Application vulnerabilities. Many hackers access unauthorized data by exploiting apps that are poorly written, or networks that are poorly designed. “Backdoor” entry points allow hackers to enter a system through a cybersecurity “hole.” To avoid this outcome, it’s important that your IT team keeps all software up to date and fully patched.
  3. Malware. Hackers can also steal data by using malicious software, including software expressly designed to allow a hacker access to an otherwise closed-off system. To cut down on malware vulnerabilities, educate employees about avoiding unknown websites and email attachments.
  4. Social engineering. Vishing, phishing, and smishing scams can all be effective ways for hackers to access unauthorized information, resulting in a ruinous breach. It’s up to IT to train employees in how to identify and avoid these social engineering schemes.
  5. Threats from the inside. We tend to think of hackers and cybercriminals as people outside the organization. And yet, all too often, data breaches occur because of disgruntled employees (or former employees), rogue contractors, or team members who simply don’t realize that they’re inadvertently betraying your IT security. Training, data backups, and general awareness of potential morale issues can all be valuable safeguards.
  6. User error. Improper configuration and user error can also result in data breaches. It’s crucial to have competent and highly trained employees in charge of securing your data, with multiple checkpoints in place to catch any innocent mistakes. Working with a proven IT security team also helps.

Keep Your Business Safe from Breaches

Data breaches are all too common, and often far too costly. Simply put, a data breach can result in huge legal, financial, operational, and reputational losses for your business. Make sure you’re working to minimize each of these risks. For help, look no further than to the BlueArmor team.

We’d love to talk with you about enacting safeguards about the possibility of data loss. Contact us at your convenience.