(270) 444-9616 
A data breach is a security incident in which unauthorized access is gained to the data of a company or individual. Data breaches can occur at any stage of an organization’s life cycle, from planning and development to operations and maintenance.
There are several reasons why data breaches happen, including human error, cybercrime, and malicious attacks. However, the most frightening thing about data breaches is that they can have severe consequences for organizations – not just financially but also reputational and emotionally. In fact, according to a recent study, almost half of all data breaches result in some form of damage to the organization’s reputation.
The best way to prevent data breaches is to ensure that your systems are protected from cyberattacks. You can use strong passwords, install anti-virus software on all devices used for business purposes, and encrypt sensitive data using robust encryption methods. You also need to track who has access to your systems and what they do with them. IT Support Kentucky will help you detect any suspicious activity early on and take appropriate measures accordingly.
5 Ways Your Organization Can Suffer a Data Breach
Unauthorized access
Unauthorized access is not just about hacking. It may also occur when someone who shouldn’t have access to your files manages to steal them or even copies them for nefarious reasons. You can avoid this risk by giving only those employees who need access to your files the proper permissions or credentials (username/password combination) required for their jobs. You should also consider implementing a zero-trust approach along with SIAM tools.
Cyber attacks
Cyber-attacks can inflict significant damage on a company in terms of lost revenue and brand reputation. The consequences of a cyber-attack vary depending on what information has been compromised and how much damage has been done. Still, they generally fall into financial losses and reputational damages. Reputational damages include loss of goodwill or trust among customers or employees; financial losses include costs associated with repairing the damage done by a breach and fines imposed by regulators such as local authorities or national governments. Managed IT Services Kentucky team will help you to safeguard your business’ data from cyber-attack.
Malicious insiders
Malicious insiders are employees, contractors, or third-party suppliers with legitimate access to your organization’s data. Depending on their roles and responsibilities, they could be trusted and well-liked people. These insiders may be motivated by revenge or greed or may enjoy the challenge of getting around security measures.
The insider threat is dangerous because it uses an individual’s knowledge of how the organization works to gain access to sensitive data. It also tends to be difficult for organizations to detect malicious activity by insiders as they are often aware of what information is essential and where it might reside within your systems (e.g., credit card details).
Physical theft
While rare compared to other forms of data breaches, physical theft is a real risk for organizations. It’s usually the result of an employee who has been fired or otherwise let go of stealing sensitive information and selling it on the black market.
To avoid this situation, you should have a thorough policy that includes clear guidelines for what employees can and cannot do with company property. If you ever experience physical theft, immediately notify law enforcement and ensure that all relevant parties understand how serious this issue is and how much effort is being put into resolving it quickly—and don’t forget about cybercrime as well.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a form of malware that blocks or limits users from accessing their systems. Ransomware attacks have increased by 80% year-over-year, with ransomware-as-a-service used by eight of the top 11 ransomware families. There are several ways ransomware attacks can happen:
- Phishing or malicious link
An employee gets an email they think is legitimate, but it contains a link to a website designed to install ransomware on their computer. The employee clicks and installs the malware, which locks the company’s files until the hackers get paid in bitcoin (or another cryptocurrency). - Malicious app
A malicious application was installed on an employee’s phone or tablet through Apple’s App Store or Google Play, so now when they log into work with those devices, they’ve already infected all of your other computers with ransomware, too!
Data Breach Prevention
Preventing data breaches is a critical step in ensuring the security of your systems. Unfortunately, cyberattacks are on the rise, and as more businesses adopt digital technologies, they risk becoming victims of these attacks.
There are a few key things you can do to protect yourself from cyberattacks:
- Keep your software up to date.
Frequently, outdated software is vulnerable to cyberattacks that allow unauthorized access to your systems. Updating your software regularly will help ensure that it’s protected from potential vulnerabilities. - Secure your networks and systems.
Protecting your networks and systems from cyberattacks is essential because if attackers manage to attack them, they could gain access to your sensitive data or even compromise your system entirely. Therefore, ensure adequate safeguards to protect against malicious activity and keep an eye out for any suspicious activity on your network. - Keep track of who’s accessing your systems.
Keeping track of who’s accessing your plans and what they’re doing with that access is another important way to mitigate the risk of a data breach. This will help you identify any suspicious activity and take appropriate action accordingly.
