What's the Difference Between a Data Leak and a Data Breach?

[Audio] What's the Difference Between a Data Leak and a Data Breach? data leaks and data breaches both involve the unauthorized exposure of data, the cause of the exposure determines whether it's a leak or a breach..

[Audio] A data leak occurs when an internal source exposes information a data breach is caused when an external source breaches the system in a cyberattack. Criminals can use a variety of methods to try and break into a network. In other words, a data leak is usually an accident, while a breach is often intentional and malicious..

[Audio] How Do Data Leaks Happen? Data leaks occur because of an internal problem. They don't usually happen because of a cyberattack. This is encouraging news for organizations since they can proactively detect and remediate data leaks before they are discovered by criminals..

[Audio] Let's review some of the most common causes of data leaks. Lost devices: If an employee loses a device with a company's sensitive information, it qualifies as a potential data breach. If a criminal gains access to the device's content, it could lead to identity theft or a data breach. Software vulnerabilities: Software vulnerabilities can easily turn into a huge cybersecurity issue for organizations. It's possible for criminals to take advantage of outdated software or zero-day exploits and turn it into a variety of security threats. Old data: As businesses grow and employees come and go, companies can lose track of data. System updates and infrastructure changes can accidentally expose that old data. Sharing Wifi password:By allowing someone access to your network, you're giving them access to a system where data comes in and out. A tech-savvy person can exploit this to see what the users on the network are doing. If you own a business that offers a public Wi-Fi service, hackers can use it to steal the identities of its users..

[Audio] How to Prevent Data Leaks Most data leaks are caused by operational problems, including technical and human error. Preventing data leaks starts with a strong, multi-layered cybersecurity approach and respect for data privacy. While security teams should provide a robust defense system, they should also implement an incident response plan to recover quickly from a cyberattack..

[Audio] Here are a few tactics to prevent data leaks: Assess and audit security Restrict data access Evaluate and update data storage Monitor third-party risk Delete old data Train employees on cybersecurity awareness Properly off-board employees Never trust, always verify.

[Audio] Assess and audit security: Organizations should verify that their business has the necessary safeguards and policies in place to protect data. This is especially crucial for regulatory compliance. If you find any weak points, it's imperative to fix them. Train employees on cybersecurity awareness: Employees should receive regular training on security awareness. Think of employees as another line of defense to prevent data breaches from occurring. They should receive training on how to spot malicious emails and report them to the security team. Evaluate and update data storage: Antiquated data storage practices create vulnerabilities. You should regularly monitor the data you collect and how you store it. Properly off-board employees: Ensure you're fully removing access to any software, systems, and files when an employee leaves. This includes disabling accounts and repossessing company equipment. Delete old data: Regularly practicing data sanitization goes a long way toward reducing your organization's risk of a leak. Restrict data access: Employees should only have access to the data they need to do their jobs efficiently. Monitor third-party risk: Supply chain attacks occur when a third-party vendor has one of their email accounts compromised. This can lead to a large-scale data leak. Never trust, always verify: IT systems should not inherently trust any devices or accounts on company networks. Adopt a zero-trust security approach to prevent unwanted access to sensitive data..