What is a Data Breach?
A data breach is a security violation that occurs when unauthorized people have access to an organization’s system. This can result in sensitive data being copied, viewed, stolen, or transmitted. It can also lead to identity theft and fraud.
A data breach is often caused by human error. For instance, a staff member may accidentally expose a sensitive internal server to the internet. However, in most cases, it is caused by social engineering. Despite the fact that data breaches are common, it is still important to identify the source of the breach and to take action to prevent the loss of sensitive data.
A data breach can affect your company’s reputation and profitability. You should anticipate questions from customers and prepare a thorough communications plan to address these concerns. In the event of a data breach, you should be prepared to offer financial compensation to customers who have been exposed.
If your organization has lost or stolen equipment that contains confidential data, you should report the incident immediately. You should notify the affected business and credit bureaus.
If your organization has suffered a data breach, it is essential to perform an exhaustive audit of all your systems. Ideally, you will have backup copies of key databases and important systems. A forensics expert will help you analyze the evidence and determine what happened. They will also help you monitor exit points and ensure that your organization does not make the same mistake again.