The threat of a “big data breach” is a critical concern in today’s digital world. This term refers to unauthorized access to sensitive information, including personal data and corporate records, which can lead to significant financial and reputational damage.
While often confused with cyberattacks, not all cyberattacks result in data breaches. This article examines the common causes of big data breaches and offers prevention strategies, emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity measures.
1. What is a big data breach?
A big data breach denotes a critical security event in which unauthorized individuals access sensitive or confidential information. This encompasses personal data such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, and healthcare records, as well as corporate data including customer databases, intellectual property, and financial records.
While the terms “data breach” and “cyberattack” are frequently conflated, it is crucial to differentiate between them. Not every cyberattack qualifies as a data breach; the latter specifically involves unauthorized access to data.
For instance, a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack that disrupts a website does not constitute a big data breach. Conversely, a ransomware attack that seizes customer data and threatens to disclose it unless a ransom is paid is an example of a data breach. Additionally, the physical theft of devices such as hard drives, USB flash drives, or even paper documents containing sensitive information qualifies as a big data breach.
2. Most Common Causes of Data Breaches
Big data breaches are often fueled by weak and stolen credentials, posing a significant threat to organizations. While many focus on high-profile hacking incidents, it’s essential to recognize that compromised passwords account for approximately 80% of breaches. Here are some common causes of data breaches:
2.1 Weak and Stolen Credentials
While hacking attacks are often cited as the primary cause of big data breaches, the exploitation of compromised or weak passwords is frequently the vector of choice for opportunistic hackers. Statistics reveal that approximately 80% of breaches can be partially traced back to the use of weak or stolen credentials.
Key Takeaways
The 2023 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report indicates that 83% of breaches were conducted by external actors, with 49% of these incidents involving stolen credentials. Research from Digital Shadows Photon reveals that over 15 billion stolen credentials are currently circulating on the internet and dark web. Among retail cyberattack victims, 50% faced extortion, while 25% had their credentials harvested.
2.2 Backdoor and application vulnerabilities
Cybercriminals frequently exploit backdoor and application vulnerabilities as a strategic approach to execute big data breaches. Poorly developed software applications or inadequately designed network systems create entry points that hackers can use to gain direct access to sensitive data and confidential information.
Key Takeaways
Web application attacks account for 26% of all breaches, making them the second most common attack vector. Malicious bots constitute over 60% of all bot traffic on the internet, and 17% of cyberattacks specifically target web application vulnerabilities. Digital commerce platforms are particularly susceptible, with 75% of fraud and data theft incidents occurring in this sector.
In 2023, application-layer attacks surged by as much as 80%, with 25,059 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) recorded—5,000 more than in 2022. Alarmingly, 18% of websites are compromised by severe threats, including backdoor access and malicious file modifications.
2.3 Malware
The incidence of both direct and indirect malware is on the rise, posing a significant risk for big data breaches. Malware, defined as inherently malicious software, can be inadvertently installed by users, granting hackers access not only to the compromised system but also to any connected networks. This type of malware presents a serious security challenge, enabling malicious insiders to access confidential information and facilitating data theft for financial gain.
Key Takeaways
According to Parachute, threat actors execute an average of 11.5 attacks per minute, which includes approximately 1.7 novel malware samples introduced each minute in 2023. Notably, 92% of malware is delivered via email or through file uploads to corporate external systems. In the first half of 2023 alone, there were 2.8 billion malware attacks, with Sonicware reporting over 270,228 previously unseen malware variants. Approximately 30% of malware breaches involve emails containing fraudulent links and attachments.
2.4 Ransomware
Ransomware represents a form of malicious software specifically engineered to block access to computer systems or files until a ransom is paid. This software typically encrypts the victim’s files or locks their systems, rendering them inaccessible, and demands payment—often in cryptocurrency—in exchange for restoring access.
Ensuring the integrity and security of your infrastructure against external threats is critical. Organizations must confirm that attackers have not infiltrated their systems or are not using them for malicious purposes, as this can lead to a big data breach.
Key Takeaways
Ransomware attacks have become increasingly prevalent and sophisticated, posing significant risks to data security and financial stability. It is anticipated that ransomware will continue to be a dominant force in cybercrime throughout 2024. According to Statista, ransomware was the primary motive behind over 72% of cybersecurity attacks in 2023.
IBM reports that the proportion of breaches attributed to ransomware rose by 41% in the past year, taking an average of 49 days longer than usual to identify and contain. The average ransom demanded in 2023 reached $1.54 million, nearly double the 2022 figure of $812,380.
Read more: What is Big Data Analytics?
3. How to prevent data breaches
With the rise in data breaches, it is crucial for organizations to implement strong security practices, especially through proactive vendor security reviews. By taking a proactive stance, organizations can significantly mitigate the risk of big data breaches and safeguard sensitive data.
3.1 Proactive Security Reviews
Vendors are essential to organizational operations, but failing to verify their security practices poses significant risks. Regular security reviews are crucial for mitigating potential risks that could lead to a big data breach. These reviews analyze a vendor’s ability to protect sensitive data, comply with regulations like GDPR and HIPAA, and respond to breaches.
Ongoing audits and real-time monitoring are vital for tracking a vendor’s security posture and identifying vulnerabilities, thereby enabling proactive threat detection. For instance, the SolarWinds breach could have been mitigated with more rigorous monitoring to catch the malicious update sooner.
Implementing quarterly security assessments for critical infrastructure vendors can help detect evolving risks and prevent blind spots. Organizations should employ automation tools, vulnerability scanners, and compliance platforms to streamline these assessments, improve accuracy, and save time. AI-driven security tools can further reduce vulnerability detection times.
While not a fail-safe, security reviews empower businesses to choose vendors that align with their security needs, significantly lowering the risk of cyberattacks, big data breaches, and regulatory penalties.
3.2 Updates to Legacy Systems
Legacy systems inherently carry risks due to outdated software and hardware that no longer receive regular security updates. Organizations should assess these systems for vulnerabilities and plan for necessary upgrades or replacements. If immediate replacement is not feasible, isolating legacy systems from shared networks and employing segmentation can help contain potential threats.
3.3 Advanced Security Measures
Once a process for regular security reviews and risk assessments is established, and the technology stack is fortified against vulnerabilities, organizations should implement advanced security measures such as encryption and access controls to safeguard data.
3.4 Encryption Protocols
Encryption is a fundamental security measure essential for protecting data both at rest and in transit. For data at rest, sensitive information stored on servers, databases, and other storage devices should be encrypted using robust algorithms like AES-256. For data in transit, employing protocols like Transport Layer Security (TLS) is crucial to prevent interception and eavesdropping, thereby reducing the risk of a big data breach.
3.5 Access Control Systems
Implementing stringent access controls ensures that only authorized personnel can access sensitive information. Multifactor authentication (MFA) is essential for accessing critical systems and data, providing an additional layer of security beyond standard passwords.
Role-based access control (RBAC) assigns permissions based on organizational roles, ensuring employees only have access to information necessary for their job functions. Regular reviews and updates of these permissions are vital to reflect changes in roles and responsibilities.
By identifying and mitigating IT infrastructure vulnerabilities, conducting thorough risk assessments, and implementing advanced security measures, organizations can significantly enhance their security posture, protect sensitive information, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. As we look forward to 2025, maintaining vigilance and agility is crucial, as cybercriminals continually evolve their tactics, necessitating adaptive security protocols to prevent big data breaches.
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In Conclusion
In conclusion, the increasing prevalence of big data breaches underscores the urgent need for organizations to prioritize cybersecurity. Understanding the common causes—such as weak credentials, application vulnerabilities, malware, and ransomware—is essential for developing effective prevention strategies.
By implementing proactive security measures, conducting regular assessments, and leveraging advanced technologies like encryption and access controls, organizations can significantly reduce their risk of a data breach. As cyber threats continue to evolve, maintaining vigilance and adaptability will be crucial in safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Ultimately, a strong security posture not only protects data but also bolsters trust among customers and stakeholders.
