A data leak is the accidental exposure of sensitive information outside of its intended environment. This can be caused by internal human error, software vulnerabilities or poor data security measures. It can compromise personal details, financial records or trade secrets, leading to serious consequences like reputational damage, business losses and legal implications.
Data breaches are often the result of malicious attacks from hackers, but they can also be the result of internal mistakes like incorrect server setups, password theft or unencrypted backups. They threaten data both at rest in databases and in motion between storage locations, with the average cost of a breach estimated to be USD 3.5 million.
Once cybercriminals acquire leaked data, they exploit it for various purposes, such as identity theft and unauthorized transactions, or selling the information on dark web forums. Often, they will publish the stolen data before making it available for sale, and this is why you should include dark web monitoring in your leak detection strategy.
The most common causes of data leaks are employee negligence and oversight, and outdated infrastructure, especially as organizations grow and evolve, with employees moving around the organization or using mobile devices for work. Cloud storage is also a common source of leaks, and can expose data both in the case of a loss or when a security measure fails. If employees download private data onto their own USB devices, this can be a major cause of leaks, and is why you should consider implementing a bring your own device policy for your workplace.
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