7 Best Practices to Prevent Data Breach

BY MARYAM AHTASHAM

FEB 21, 2024

In the tech-based industry, data breaches are a significant concern for businesses of all sizes. It's not hard to convince business leaders that a data breach can be a massive headache. When it happens, they can lose important company documents, damage their reputation, and end up spending a ton of money to fix it.

In 2023, a study by IBM found that the average cost of a single data breach is a whopping $4.45 million, a 15% increase over 3 years. But the real impact can be even worse when you consider how it affects a company's ability to keep running smoothly.

In simple terms, a data breach can cause so many problems that it's almost impossible to measure all the risks involved. Some companies might not even survive the huge financial losses, legal troubles, and damage to their reputation caused by a major breach. So, business and tech leaders are on the hunt for ways to prevent data breach from happening in the first place. It's crucial to adopt comprehensive data breach prevention strategies.

What Kinds of Data Breaches Raise the Most Concerns?

Data breaches can be a serious concern for businesses and IT professionals. Here are some common types of data breaches that you should be especially vigilant about.

Phishing Attacks

Phishing is when cybercriminals send convincing emails to trick people into revealing their login credentials. Once they have this information, they can access systems and data without detection. These emails often ask users to click on a fake link and enter their credentials on a fraudulent website.

Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware is another email-based threat. It involves tricking victims into clicking on a link or downloading an attachment that secretly installs malicious software on their system. This software then locks users out of their own IT systems until they pay a ransom to the attacker.

Social Engineering Attacks

Social engineering relies on manipulation and deceit to get people to make security mistakes. Attackers may impersonate someone else or a company to gain the victim's trust. These attacks often happen in multiple steps and can target anyone, even large companies, resulting in significant financial losses.

Software Misconfigurations and Vulnerabilities

Security misconfigurations occur when essential security settings in software are not set up correctly or updated regularly. These gaps can provide hackers with an entry point to access applications, systems, and data. Vulnerabilities in software can also be exploited by attackers.

Human Error

Data breaches can happen due to simple mistakes made by individuals. Examples include losing a company laptop, opening a malware-infected attachment, using weak passwords, or neglecting to update software.

How to Prevent Data Breach?

Drawing insights from leaders in cybersecurity, let's explore seven best practices to prevent data breach. These practices are not only essential for protecting your organization's data but also for maintaining customer trust and compliance with various regulations.

Building a Data Loss Prevention Strategy

Building a data loss prevention strategy is crucial for protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access or disclosure. It involves identifying and classifying sensitive data, creating security policies, and continuously monitoring data flows within the organization. By preventing data from leaving the organization, DLP helps in maintaining compliance with data privacy regulations and protecting intellectual property.

Identify Locations of Sensitive Information

In order to safeguard its data, a business must begin by comprehensively cataloging all its data sets and pinpointing the locations where sensitive information is stored. This inventory should be continuously maintained and reviewed to stay current with data additions, deletions, and transfers.

Patch Infrastructure

Ensuring the security of networks and systems through timely patching is important for any IT security team. The increasing frequency of newly discovered zero-day vulnerabilities poses a significant threat, as attackers frequently exploit unpatched software to breach critical data.

Consider SolarWinds' Patch Manager as your solution. It provides a robust and efficient platform to streamline the patching process, helps IT teams stay ahead of potential vulnerabilities. With automated patch management, you can proactively identify and apply patches, reducing the window of exposure to emerging threats. Patch Manager empowers your IT security team to fortify your network defenses and safeguard your valuable data against ever-evolving cyber threats.

Adopt Endpoint Management and Security

Effective endpoint management is critical for securing devices like laptops, smartphones, and IoT devices, which are common entry points for cyberattacks. This involves ensuring that endpoints are equipped with antivirus, anti-malware, and firewall components, and are regularly updated with patches and security configurations. It also includes inventory management and remote support capabilities. Sophos Endpoint Services stands as an excellent choice to prevent data breach, offering advanced security features to safeguard your organization's sensitive information.

Human Error and Employee Training

Human error is a significant factor in data breaches. Regular training and awareness programs for employees can help in minimizing risks associated with accidental data exposure or mishandling. This includes training on recognizing phishing attempts, using strong passwords, and following best practices for data handling.

Policy Enforcement and Incident Response

Establishing and enforcing security policies is crucial. This includes setting up access controls, encryption protocols, and incident response plans. In case of a security breach, having a well-defined incident response plan can minimize damage and aid in a swift recovery.

Sophos Incident Response is a comprehensive service designed to help organizations effectively manage and respond to cybersecurity incidents. It boasts a team of experienced cybersecurity experts ready to provide rapid assistance 24/7. The service offers a range of capabilities, including incident analysis, remediation planning, and recovery efforts.

Regular Audits and Compliance Checks

Conducting regular audits and compliance checks helps in identifying any gaps in your security infrastructure and ensures that your organization adheres to relevant data protection regulations. This proactive approach is essential for maintaining a high level of security and trust.

Ending Notes

To prevent data breach requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses technological solutions, employee training, policy enforcement, and regular audits. By adopting these best practices and leveraging cybersecurity solutions, you can significantly enhance your organization's ability to protect against data breaches. If you have any questions or need further assistance, reach out to Softech Store’s team of experts, who have extensive experience with cybersecurity and networking products.