A data leak occurs when sensitive, protected, or confidential information is exposed outside of its intended environment — such as unsecured websites and misconfigured security settings. Leaks can compromise personal details, financial records, and trade secrets as well as create a variety of other consequences for businesses and their customers or clients.
Unlike cyberattacks, which are the cause of a data breach, the majority of data leaks occur due to human error and negligence, and are caused by poorly configured systems or security practices. This makes it more difficult to detect and remediate compared to cyberattacks, which are typically detected through monitoring of suspicious activity.
Some of the most common causes for a data leak include human error, system errors, and software vulnerabilities. Human errors can range from simple mistakes like sending an email to the wrong recipients or misconfiguring security settings to more significant issues such as losing a USB drive or printing private documents at work or a public printer.
System errors can be caused by a range of issues, such as a network being hacked or a misconfigured storage platform. Cybercriminals also exploit these vulnerabilities to gain access to systems and steal or sell data.
Once a data leak is discovered, organizations should immediately take steps to limit further loss and protect consumers. This should include securing any affected machines and analyzing backup or preserved data, determining who had access at the time of the leak and limiting that access if necessary. It is also important to develop a communications plan and make sure that people are aware of what happened and the risks associated with the breach.
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