Attend IT Blog

Attend IT Limited has been serving the Brentford area since 2003, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

What Most Often Leads to a Data Breach?

What Most Often Leads to a Data Breach?

Data breaches—any event where a business’ confidential data is viewed, copied, or stolen by an unauthorized person or party—are a serious problem. Unfortunately, they are also a serious problem that can be caused by no shortage of situations. Let’s review some of the causes of business data breaches so you’ll know what to keep an eye out for.

Software Vulnerabilities

If a piece of software has some kind of security flaw or shortcoming in it, a hacker can take advantage of it in numerous different ways. Whether the security issue comes from an improperly coded application, an out-of-date or neglected piece of software, or even something just being misconfigured, there are plenty of ways that the tools you rely on can inadvertently let in a threat. Making sure you only use software that has been vetted and cleared by an IT resource and is properly updated will be critical to your ongoing security.

Insufficient Passwords

If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it thousands of times—you need to be sure that everyone in your organization is using sufficiently secure passwords, or ideally, passphrases, and that each account they have is protected by a unique one. This makes it so that—should one password be undermined (ideally through no fault of your own)---it is just that one account that’s problematic and needs to be fixed.

If you’re concerned about your team having difficulty keeping track of all these passwords and/or passphrases, implementing a password management system is a secure and efficient option that we can help you execute.

Social Engineering

Let me ask you something—what would your response be if I were to reach out to you and request some of your data, or ask to have a password updated? I should hope that your first instinct would be to say no until you confirm that the request is legitimate and aboveboard.

Cybercriminals don’t all use fancy programming and malware, all the time. Why would they, if they can get just as much, just by targeting your employees and taking advantage of them directly? You need to be sure that your team members understand how real this threat is, and that they can identify when this kind of attack comes in.

Excessive Permissions

Let me ask you one more thing: does every member of your crew need the same access to the same resources in order to do their jobs? Of course not—in fact, there are more examples where the exact opposite is the case. Your support team doesn’t need access to the rest of the team’s time off requests, and your sales team doesn’t need access to the entire business’ budget. Locking down access permissions on a need-to-know basis will help to eliminate the risk of a data leak. On the subject…

Malicious Insiders

Not all data breaches are sourced from outside your business. Whether one of your employees feels the need to lash out in perceived retribution, someone with ill moral structure decides to act in their own interest, another business has a plant employed at your company, or someone has decided to turn data theft into a side hustle—insider threats come in all shapes and forms. Restricting permissions to only those who actively need them helps to take some of the teeth out of an insider attack.

Malware

There are so many different forms of malware out there, and it doesn’t help that it only takes one to potentially bring your network to its needs and abscond with your data. What’s worse, these threats have no shortage of means to get onto your infrastructure. From downloaded attachments to public Wi-Fi connections to infected USB devices to so many more opportunities, malware can get into an unprotected network and deliver its payload. This means that you need to keep your network locked down—something we can assist with as well. 

Turn to Us for Assistance in Securing Your Data

We have plenty of experience in evaluating your IT and improving the security of your network. Interested in learning more? Give us a call at 020 8626 4485.

When is It Time to Automate Some of My Business Pr...
Avoid the Cybersecurity Blame Game
 

Mobile? Grab this Article!

Qr Code

Tag Cloud

Technology Security Business Computing Best Practices Productivity Business Cloud Network Security Tip of the Week Data Software Managed IT Services Hackers IT Support Data Recovery Data Backup IT Services Innovation Efficiency Disaster Recovery Backup Privacy Hosted Solutions communications VoIP Small Business Hardware Malware Computer Cybersecurity Saving Money Email Mobile Devices Internet Phishing Collaboration Outsourced IT Business Continuity Cloud Computing Workplace Strategy User Tips Business Management Quick Tips Upgrade Microsoft Users Ransomware BDR Automation Information Technology Productivity Workplace Tips Compliance Smartphones Training Internet of Things Gadgets Smartphone IT Support Server Communication Remote Passwords Artificial Intelligence Current Events Risk Management Wi-Fi Mobile Device Employee-Employer Relationship Social Media BYOD Mobile Device Management Managed Service Provider Network Managed IT Mobility Managed IT services Budget Android Spam Meetings AI Covid-19 Google Save Money Wireless Password Networking Printers Human Resources Microsoft Office Avoiding Downtime Document Management Office Printing Information Managed Service Windows 7 Remote Workers VPN Remote Computing Chrome History Hosted Solution Windows Router Instant Messaging Encryption Firewall Content Filtering Computers Data Management Cost Management Windows 10 Project Management MSP Tech Term Monitoring Virtual Private Network Help Desk Time Management Remote Work Video Conferencing Laptop Marketing Recovery Telephone Systems Government End of Support Facebook Hacker Personal Information Hard Drives Solid State Drive Virtualization Battery Automobile Telephony Big Data Two-factor Authentication Audit Employer-Employee Relationship Value Saving Time Data Breach Data Storage Data Security Mobile Software as a Service Conferencing Redundancy Maintenance Devices Proactive Computing Wireless Internet Hybrid Cloud Business Technology IT Service Machine Learning Paperless Office Backup and Disaster Recovery Voice over Internet Protocol Mobile Office Manufacturing Customer Relationship Management Printer Managed Services Mobile Computing Proactive IT Social Engineering Transportation Going Green Browser Miscellaneous Applications Private Cloud Operating System iPhone Health Money Administration Colocation Windows 10 Advertising PDF Apps Legal Wireless Technology Flexibility Update Cybercrime Black Market Shadow IT Disaster Education Application Save Time Work/Life Balance Office 365 Antivirus Holiday Entertainment HIPAA Phone System Analytics Electronic Medical Records Cleaning Hacking Smart Technology Vendor Management Samsung Company Culture App SaaS Upgrades Vulnerability The Internet of Things Dark Web Nanotechnology OneNote Business Intelligence Managed IT Service Data Protection Commerce Regulation Professional Services Travel Word Apple User Error Data Loss File Sharing Storage Lifestyle Evernote Workers Spyware intranet Blockchain IoT Analysis Chromebook Smart Tech Connectivity Streaming Media Content Filter Management Financial Technology Gamification Students Unified Communications Remote Monitoring Wasting Money Amazon Virtual Assistant Alexa for Business WPA3 File Storage Bandwidth Vendor Telephone Utility Computing Payroll SMB Downtime E-Commerce Payment Cards Break/Fix e-waste Employees Smartwatch Development Azure Active Directory Windows Server Cybersecurty Window 10 Online Storage Fiber Optics Windows Server 2008 Copiers Voiceover Internet Protocol Business Telephone Computer Repair Troubleshooting CRM Workstations Outsource IT PCI DSS Regulations Compliance Cost Remote Working Leadership Bitcoin Finance Infrastructure Videoconferencing Streaming Customer Service Copier Authentication Hiring/Firing RMM Windows 11 Cabling Going Paperless Inventory Management Employer/Employee Relationships Outsourcing How To Microsoft Outlook Files Regulations Paperless Solutions Microsoft 365 Strategy Consulting Decision Making Ergonomics Signage Customer Experience Physical Security Robot Google Drive Alert Law Enforcement Reputation Social Relocation Search Internet Exlporer Text Messaging Office Tips HaaS Video Games Scalability Humor How To Best Practice USB Virtual Reality Managing Stress Point of Sale Identity Theft Worker Commute Politics Experience Music Books Safety Emergency Worker Scam Computer Accessories Charger Computer Care Unsupported Software Television Business Strategy WiFi Unified Threat Management Consultant Touchscreen Emails Webinar IT solutions Windows 10s Hard Disk Drive iOS Computer Fan Root Cause Analysis Augmented Reality CrashOverride Settings Screen Mirroring Cast HBO IT Management IT Solutions WIndows Server 2008 Patch Management Outlook Shortcut Excel Sync Adobe Licensing Tablets NFL Windows Ink Google Maps Google Docs Microsoft Excel Sports Cortana Legislation Comparison Specifications Sales Retail Gifts Credit Cards FAQ Wireless Charging WannaCry Updates Microsoft Word eWaste Device Security Tech Support Fraud Edge Ciminal IT budget Identities Language Virus Websites Data Theft App store Mobile Security Identity Data Privacy Hard Drive Google Assistant Twitter Computer Forensics Gmail PowerPoint Memory Financial Bring Your Own Device Testing Camera Projects Display Co-Managed Services Hyperlink Wasting Time Accessory Peripheral Access Control Admin Keyboard Shortcuts Security Cameras Employee 5G Medical IT YouTube OneDrive Sabotage PC Server Maintenance Investment ROI Windows Server 2008 R2 Micrsosoft Digital Signage Processor Benchmarks Myths Threats Scams Managed Services Provider Facebook Privacy eCommerce Holidays Inventory Communitications Hosted Desktop Smart Devices Keyboard Net Neutrality Internet Service Provider Workstation Telework Audits Solutions Policy Procedure Organization Innovations Reviews Biometrics Computer Tips Work Windows 8.1 Voice Supply Chain Environment Workplace Strategies Print Management Healthcare SSD Remote Management Telephone System Print Database 2FA Virtual Desktop Proactive Management eSignature Cyberattack Cameras Digital Cameras Mixed Reality Displays Stories Support Compliance IT