Common Causes of Data Breaches

Any business operating in an increasingly-digitised world has to have adequate cyber-security measures in place. It’s one of their major responsibilities to their customers.

That responsibility means companies must do everything in their power to protect their customers, partners and clients. Their data is not only personal and confidential – it can be dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands. That’s why businesses should do all they can to fend off the threat of a data breach.

In this online world we live in, a frightening amount of our data is held by corporations – our banking and financial data, sensitive information and a wealth of other personal, confidential details are stored in huge firms’ virtual vaults.

And if companies need to have this information, then the least – the absolute least – they can do is to properly protect it. They should take any and all steps to ensure they are doing their bit to prevent breaches and avoid leaving their customers vulnerable. After all, the consequences of a data breach for innocent victims can be catastrophic.

So, if BigCorp Inc (other massive conglomerates are undoubtedly available) have been entrusted with your personal data, they should do everything in their power to prevent you becoming a victim. You have the right to expect your personal information to be protected. Their failure to do so impacts you and your family greatly. This may be financial, emotional or could just involve causing you much unwanted hassle.

Common Causes of Data Breaches

Perhaps the most significant reason hackers are able to access files is that a human has granted them access by failing to adhere to their company policies.

Ways in which human error can contribute to a data breach are:

Poor password security – Attackers gain unauthorised access to systems by using easily-guessed passwords, or passwords that are used across numerous accounts and systems. Compromised or weak passwords can be exploited more easily by hackers. It’s believed that up to 80% of breaches are attributed, at least in part, to weak passwords, or stolen ones.

Phishing – Seemingly-innocuous links or downloadable attachments are sent to staff members and they click on them. Clicking on these links or attachments introduces malicious software (commonly known as malware) to the system and therefore granting criminals access. Malware is any purpose-built program that is intended to cause harm to computers and their systems, usually either by disabling them or by allowing the hacker to exert some control over it.

Sensitive information disclosure – accidentally emailing confidential data, leaving that data unattended or failing to securely dispose of documents can make it easy for criminals to get their hands on personal information.

But, since so much of our data is held digitally, it stands to reason that breaches occur due to cyber-attacks. Failure to keep software security up to date is a major cause of vulnerability. Outdated software can contain flaws that criminals are able to exploit. They could also be without crucial security updates. Cyber-criminals are getting more and more sophisticated and the measures to combat that must reflect that.

Regardless of their size, any company, public and private sector organisation and institution needs to have the correct security in order to protect the sensitive data they hold. A common cause of data breaches is a domain name system (DNS) attack. The DNS is a critical component of a network and any vulnerabilities could be exploited, which allows a hacker to intercept sensitive information, bypass security measures and create openings that they can use at a future date.

Poor firewalls, improperly-configured cloud services and weak intrusion detection systems can create openings for hackers. And if firms don’t have encryption measures and robust user authentication processes in place it’s much easier for outsiders to access files.

Further data-breach risks can also come in the form of external organisations, or even from within. Third-party service providers with access to data may not employ the same level of security, and this could create a ‘back door’ for attackers. As for insider threats, they can often be overlooked but pose a significant risk. Any employees with an axe to grind, or who simply have criminal intentions could steal and/or leak sensitive data.

There’s also a further – although remote – possibility to consider; high-ranking employees, who have high-level access, could abuse the privilege afforded to them, and find themselves targeted by external attackers.

On that note, some particularly-unscrupulous hackers find success by manipulating employees. They do this by posing as trustworthy, often authority figures, or by creating fake personas to gain people’s trust and wheedle information out of them. Any sensitive data they get their hands on is a data breach in its own right, but some data is used in their bid to gain access to a company’s systems.

So it’s clear that data breaches are generally the result of human error, intervention or manipulation, with technological factors also playing a lead role. Awareness of the common causes of a data breach, and understanding how to combat them, allows organisations to address the risks and, ultimately, protect the data they store.

If businesses don’t implement effective safeguards, install robust cyber-protection measures and establish clear data protection programs and policies for employees, they may be failing in their duty of data care.

If the personal, sensitive data a company holds on you has been compromised you need to take action to redress the balance. Barings Law’s team of data breach experts have the skills and knowledge to compile a case for you to claim compensation.

We are currently taking on multiple data breach claims against organisations that have failed to safeguard its stored data.

If you have been a victim of a data breach, we will act on your behalf on a no-win no-fee basis.

All you need to do is click the button at the bottom of this article and fill in a quick form. From there our legal experts will assess your case to see if you have a valid claim, they will then contact you to get the ball rolling.