Data Breach: What Is It, What Are The Different Types, And What Are Examples Of Each?
When it comes to cybersecurity, data breaches are a major risk to businesses and organizations. A data breach is any incident in which sensitive, confidential or protected data is accessed, viewed, stolen, or used by an unauthorized individual. Data breaches can occur anywhere, from a business’s internal network to an online cloud storage service.
The impact of a successful data breach can be devastating, often resulting in financial losses, reputational damage and even legal liability. It is important for businesses and organizations to understand the different types of data breaches and the risks they pose in order to protect their data and mitigate any potential damage. This article provides an overview of the different types of data breaches, examples of each and tips for improving cybersecurity.
What is a Data Breach?
A data breach is an incident in which confidential, personal or sensitive data is viewed, accessed, stolen, or used by an unauthorized individual. Data breaches can occur in any type of organization that stores or handles sensitive data. This can range from a business’s internal network to an online cloud storage service.
Data breaches can occur in a variety of ways. In some cases, hackers will use malicious software (malware) to gain access to an organization’s networks and steal data. In other cases, a data breach may occur due to a mistake or negligence on the part of the organization or its employees. For instance, an employee may accidentally send confidential information to the wrong individual, or a company may fail to update its security systems, leaving them vulnerable to attack.
Different Types of Data Breaches
When it comes to data breaches, there are several different types that an organization may be exposed to. These include:
- Malware/Virus Data Breach
Malware/Virus data breaches involve malicious software, often referred to as malware, that is specifically designed to gain access to an organization’s network and steal sensitive data. Hackers use malware to infiltrate a network and exfiltrate data before the organization is aware of the attack. Malware can come in many forms, including ransomware, Trojans, and worms.
- Insider Data Breach
Insider data breaches are a form of data breach that occur when an organization’s employee or contractor deliberately or accidentally accesses, shares or deletes confidential data without permission. Insider data breaches can occur for a variety of reasons, including lack of training or deliberate intent.
- Physical Data Breach
Physical data breaches occur when an unauthorized individual gains access to an organization’s physical premises and gains access to confidential data. Physical data breaches often occur in the form of a break-in or an unauthorized individual gaining access to a building or data storage space.
- Human Error Data Breach
Human error-related data breaches occur when an organization’s employees or contractors make mistake that leads to a data breach. Examples of human error data breaches include sending sensitive information to the wrong individual or neglecting to secure a device that contains confidential data.
- Social Engineering Data Breach
Social engineering data breaches occur when an individual utilizes psychological manipulation tactics to deceive someone into providing confidential information or access. Social engineering attacks often take the form of phishing emails, telephone scams, or malicious websites.
Examples of Different Types of Data Breaches
Malware/Virus Data Breach
One of the most common and damaging types of data breach is a malware/virus-related data breach. In 2018, companies in the hospitality industry experienced a 30% increase in malware attacks, with the average cost of a breach estimated at $2.2 million. One example of a malware-related data breach is the 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack, in which hackers used malicious software to gain access to hundreds of thousands of computers across the world and demanded ransom payments in exchange for unlocking the files.
Insider Data Breach
Insider data breaches have been known to occur in a variety of industries, and often result in significant financial losses and reputational damage. For example, in 2017, a former employee of the UK-based FTSE 100 company Capita was convicted of stealing £1.2 million worth of confidential data from their employer. The employee accessed confidential information and attempted to sell it onto third parties via the dark web.
Physical Data Breach
Physical data breaches generally occur due to a lack of security measures in place. In 2018, the US Department of Veterans Affairs suffered a data breach when hackers used a USB drive mailed to the organization to gain access to their networks and steal sensitive data.
Human Error Data Breach
Human error-related data breaches can have disastrous consequences as they are often preventable. For example, in 2017, a UK-based hospital accidentally emailed confidential patient information to the wrong individual, resulting in a data breach. In this case, the hospital failed to check the recipient address before sending the email.
Social Engineering Data Breach
Social engineering data breaches have become increasingly common in recent years. In 2019, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) warned of an email phishing scam in which hackers were sending fake emails claiming to be from ASIC and asking users to click on malicious links.
How to Minimize The Risk of A Data Breach
Data breaches can have significant financial, reputational and legal implications for businesses and organizations, and therefore it is important for them to take the proper steps to minimize their risk. Below are some key steps that organizations should take to protect themselves from potential data breaches:
- Utilize Security Measures
Organizations should utilize security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems and antivirus software to help protect their networks from malicious attacks. Additionally, they should ensure that their systems are regularly updated to ensure they are protected from the latest threats.
- Educate Employees
Organizations should ensure that their employees have an adequate understanding of the importance of data security and best practices for handling confidential information. Additionally, they should provide employees with regular training and strategies for recognizing and preventing phishing attacks and other forms of cyberattack.
- Utilize Encryption
Organizations should ensure that any data they store or transmit is encrypted. This means that any data that is stored or transmitted must be encoded so that it cannot be accessed by unauthorized individuals. Additionally, businesses should also consider using encrypted communication channels for transmitting confidential information.
- Monitor Networks
Businesses and organizations should monitor their networks for any suspicious activity. By monitoring their networks, businesses can detect any potential security threats before they can lead to a data breach. Additionally, businesses should also use an intrusion prevention system (IPS) to further monitor their networks.
Data breaches present a major risk to businesses and organizations, which can result in significant losses and reputational damage. It is important for businesses and organizations to understand the different types of data breaches and the risks they pose in order to protect their data and mitigate any potential damage. By utilizing the security measures outlined above, organizations can reduce the risk of a data breach and hopefully prevent it from occurring in the first place.
