A data leak is when sensitive information is exposed outside of its intended environment, usually due to human error or a security vulnerability. This can result in financial loss, reputational damage and legal repercussions for both the organization and its customers.
PII is the most common type of data that’s exposed in a data leak. It includes personal data like names, phone numbers, home addresses and social security numbers that cybercriminals can use for identity theft, scams and fraud. Other types of data that are often exposed in a leak include business records, financial details and confidential or proprietary information.
Insider threats are another leading cause of data leaks. These can be disgruntled employees, former employees who retain access to sensitive systems or people that simply want revenge or compensation from the company. These people typically steal information by physically removing it from the workplace, taking pictures of confidential documents or even misplacing USB drives with sensitive files.
Other causes of a data leak can include misconfigured cloud storage servers and email applications that accidentally expose confidential or sensitive information. It’s important to set clear policies and train employees on how to handle and protect sensitive information to mitigate these risks. Additionally, implementing network monitoring tools that track and iden-tify anomalous activity can help reduce the risk of a data leak. Finally, encrypting your data can also be a good way to reduce the impact of a breach if it happens.