![]() |
Quick Links:
Employee Satisfaction Surveys
4Cs Employee Survey FAQs
Employee Survey Benchmarks
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
||||||
The 4 Most Common Causes of Data BreachesPosted by Insightlink on 06/23/22 Malware is one of the most common causes of data breaches in the workplace. Some hackers create malware specifically to steal sensitive data. Once installed, this malicious software will capture targeted data and relay it back to the hacker. Ransomware attacks can be devastating, but human error is involved. Listed below are the five most common causes of data breaches. RansomwareRansomware is a type of malware that encrypts files and then demands a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key. Some ransomware variants may also include additional functionality as an added incentive to pay the ransom. Ransomware has become one of the most common types of malware in recent years, with recent attacks crippling hospitals and public services in cities. In addition, these attacks have also caused significant damage to various organizations and their data. Ransomware is one of the most common forms of data breach and is a type of malware that encrypts a victim's data. Once installed on a system, the malware adds an extension to the file. The encrypted file cannot be decrypted without the attacker's private key. The attacker will usually leave a note explaining how to restore encrypted data after paying the ransom. In many cases, the ransomware will also change the user's password or email address to prevent the hacker from gaining access to valuable information. Compromised passwordsA compromised password can compromise multiple digital solutions. Users often reuse passwords across multiple accounts, exposing them to cybercriminals. Credential stuffing involves sending automated login requests to popular websites using stolen data. Once a breach occurs, hackers can use the stolen information to access the user's account. It takes organizations 187 days to detect a data breach, and the damage will grow exponentially during this time. Understanding the most common types of security incidents will help them mitigate their risk. This article will cover the five most common causes of data breaches, along with tips to identify them. Weak passwords are one of the most common causes of data breaches. The average organization is at risk of data breaches from compromised passwords. Unpatched systemsWhile patching is integral to maintaining data security, many companies fail to do it because it's boring. For example, former CISO at Levi Strauss, Steve Zalewski, said that patching is "not a technology problem, but a business-risk problem." Instead, security leaders should evaluate the vulnerabilities' risks and selectively mitigate them to achieve organizational goals. However, this approach requires a paradigm shift for most organizations. Despite this, some organizations still use traditional KPIs to gauge cyber risk. While vulnerability reports can help identify potential security vulnerabilities, they cannot account for organizational infrastructure. For example, a company may have multiple assets behind its firewall that are not patched, or one asset might not be a priority. Without a unified view of assets, organizations often can't manage the volume of unpatched software. This leads to a problem of unpatched software. It's critical to understand your assets and how they're being used. If you can't determine each vulnerability's risk and severity, you can't patch your systems. Human errorAmong the top four malware vectors, human error is the most prevalent cause of data breaches. Human error can result from an employee making an innocent mistake or a hacker intentionally altering a malicious program to avoid detection by antivirus programs. In either case, the effect is the same: data breaches. While human error is closely related to hacker activity, insider misuse is more damaging. The former refers to an employee's negligence, while insider misuse involves the deliberate use of company systems for personal gain. According to a recent report by Verizon, human error is one of the most frequent causes of data breaches. Companies have failed to implement appropriate security controls to prevent employees from leaking secret information to the wrong person. More than twenty percent of breaches are the result of human error. Furthermore, the report points to the lack of employee training or poor security awareness. As a result, many people fail to protect themselves and their data. This means that a security breach is inevitable.
|
![]() Where does your company stand on each of the critical "4Cs" of employee engagement and satisfaction?
How many of each do you have?
AboutInsightlink Communications are experts in employee survey design, data collection and analysis. Since 2001 we've helped companies of all sizes measure and improve their employee satisfaction and engagement.4Cs Blog Home 4Cs Blog Archives Recent Posts
The Secret to Keeping Hybrid Teams Aligned and Engaged Breaking Silos: How Effective Interdepartmental Communication Drives Organizational Success Adapting to Thrive: Innovative Strategies for Business Owners Facing Change Why Team Bonding Happens Best Outside the Office: The Value of Company Retreats Top Strategies to Eliminate Operational Waste in Small Businesses Favorite LinksEmployee Survey Insightlink's Acclaimed 4Cs Employee Survey Qualtrics Advanced Online Survey Platform for Pros SurveyMonkey Quick & Easy Online Surveys Gallup Home of the Gallup Q12 World at Work SHRM Blog Insightlink on SHRM Engaged Employees Blog HR ToolKit Guide to Employee Surveys Good info on how to write surveys. Insightlink 360 Makes 360 assessment surveys easy. InsightExit Online Employee Exit surveys. |
HOME ABOUT 4Cs EMPLOYEE SURVEY CONTACT |
SURVEY DEMO SERVICES PRICING ROI CALCULATOR CLIENTS |
SAMPLES ARTICLES & GUIDES FAQs PRESS 4CS BLOG |
PRIVACY CONFIDENTIALITY SITEMAP LINKS |
Copyright © Insightlink Communications. All rights reserved. |