When sensitive information is accidentally released to the public, it is called a data leak. Information may be disclosed when in transit, at rest, or in use. The data can be leaked via email, chat rooms, API requests, and other channels.
What are the different ways to prevent data leakage?
There are eight different ways to prevent data leakage. They are given by,
Device control:
Users often save essential documents on Smartphone and tablets. In addition to device management policies, you will need a system that monitors and manages what devices are being used and by whom. You’ll need mobile device management (MDM) software, which will help your security team determine the use of strong passwords.
The self-service equipment can be maintenance and control which programs can be loaded onto the device. Most MDM systems can monitor the device’s location and erase the device’s data if it is lost or stolen.
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Restrict access rights:
Limiting the number of people who have access to sensitive information is always a brilliant idea as it reduces the chances of data leaks.
Email content filtering:
Use a content filtering system that uses deep content analysis technology to find sensitive information in messages, images, and email attachments. If sensitive data is found, a notification will be sent to the system administrator which will be able to verify the correctness of the transfer.
Cloud storage configuration:
Data leaks are prevalent as a result of improperly configured storage. For example, many data breaches are intentionally committed by standard publicly accessible Amazon S3 buckets. Similarly, GitHub repositories and Azure file sharing are exposed when not set up correctly. For this reason, it is essential to have a defined procedure for evaluating the online storage settings you use.
Coding:
It’s always a bright idea to encrypt sensitive data when it’s not in use and transit. This is especially important when storing sensitive data in the cloud.
Endpoint protection:
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions is used to protect the sensitive data from flowing from terminals such as desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and servers. Some DLP solutions can be restricted, quarantined, or encrypt sensitive data when it leaves the destination. The DLP systems are also used to limit the specific tasks like copying, printing, or moving data to a USB device or cloud service platform.
Data Discovery and Classification:
You can use a system which can automatically detect and categorize your sensitive data. After that, delete ROT (duplicate, obsolete, and unimportant) data to help optimize how you secure your data. Classifying your data makes it easy to set appropriate controls and track how people interact with your sensitive data.
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Print control:
Sensitive files can be stored on printers that unauthorized persons can access. To use the printer require users to sign in, Restrict the printer’s capabilities according to their tasks, and guarantees that paper containing sensitive information can only be printed once. It would be best to make sure that no sensitive information is left in the printer tray.
How will the data leaks be exploited?
What makes data leaks so dangerous is that it is almost impossible to determine who has access to information once released. If cybercriminals have access to the disclosed information, they can be used for several purposes. In the beginning, they might try to use it to attack socially-oriented engineering.
So, the more sensitive information they have access. The easier it is to imitate employees or executives. This is especially true if the stolen data contains psychological information such as the values, views, attitudes, hobbies, and lifestyles of the data subject. In the same way, Behavioural data, such as the owner’s browsing history, pages viewed applications, and devices. It can be used to personalize phishing emails.
Even if a data leak does not immediately result in a breach, ultimately, each company operating in a regulated area is obliged to provide a higher level of information about any public personal data. Whether or not the data is being used for malicious purposes or not, organizations must take serious action against data leaks.
Final verdict:
Data leaks such as data breaches there can be many adverse effects. It can lead to prosecution from people whose data is compromised, fines from regulators, and damage to the image and profits of your company.