A data leak happens when sensitive information is exposed outside of its intended environment. It may occur as the result of human error, software vulnerabilities, or poor data security measures. The impact of a data leak can be severe, leading to reputational harm and financial losses. In some cases, the leak may be exploited by bad actors to commit fraud and other cyberattacks.
Unlike a data breach, which requires an attacker to break into systems to expose information, a data leak usually occurs due to human error or poor data security controls. A common example of this is a misconfigured cloud storage server that makes private data accessible to unauthorized parties. Another cause of a data leak is when an employee loses a device with sensitive information in public, such as a USB drive or private company documents left in a public printer. This is why it’s essential to establish clear policies and to regularly review and update access controls.
Once the information is leaked, it can be used by cybercriminals to commit crimes such as identity theft, ransomware attacks, and selling the data on the dark web. A company suffering from a data leak may also face financial losses and fines for noncompliance with regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA.
A good way to reduce the risk of a data leak is by implementing comprehensive and robust cybersecurity controls, including intrusion detection sys-tems and a firewall. Additionally, it’s important to monitor network activity and to train employees on proper handling of sensitive data.
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