A data leak occurs when sensitive, protected, or confidential information is exposed outside of its intended environment. This is often due to internal human errors, software vulnerabilities, or poor data security measures. Data leaks can expose personal details, financial records, trade secrets, and other proprietary information. This may lead to financial loss and reputational damage for the organization.
The most common cause of data leaks is human error. This can include anything from sending an email to the wrong recipient to misconfigured security settings. In 2021, hackers used a Facebook vulnerability to scrape the personal information of more than 530 million users and post it on a hacking forum. Other causes of data leaks include lost or stolen laptops, USB storage devices, and mobile phones that can be repurposed to access an organization’s network. Outdated software and open-source software can also create security vulnerabilities when criminals exploit known flaws.
Organizations should implement a data leak prevention program to prevent this from happening. A good program will scan and inventory the organization’s data, determine which types of data are at high risk, and protect these assets with appropriate policies. The program should also monitor network activity and proactively alert when high-risk information is being transferred to unapproved systems, file sharing platforms, and applications.
Once leaked, personal data can be misused to blackmail individuals or organizations, shape public opinion, manipulate outcomes, and gain influence. Companies that experience a data leak can also face lawsuits and regulatory fines.