Handling cyber security and data breach issues. When there is a data breach, sensitive, or protected information are being exposed to an authorized person. In other words, the files in a data breach are viewed and / or shared without permission. A data breach is a cyber assault in which sensitive, confidential, or otherwise protected data is illegally accessed and released. The risk of a data breach applies to any body, ranging from individuals to high-level enterprises and governments. .
Generally, data breaches happen due to weaknesses in technology and users behavior. This is due to the fact that as computers and mobile devices get more connective features, the more avenues are created for data to slip through. New technologies are being created faster than we can protect them, they are being used with minimal security testing and thus problems associated with data breach and cyber security continue to increase.
Forms Of Data Breaches
Phishing
This is where the attackers pose as people or organizations that are well trusted to easily deceive the prospective victim into handing over access to sensitive data or provide the data itself.
Brute force attacks
Here, the hackers take more brazen approach by engaging software tools to guess the victim’s password and once gotten causes damage as a result of the breached data. So it is very important to impute strong passwords, to avoid these issues.
Malware
This is where data is breached as a result of the victim’s device operating system, software, hardware, or the network and servers have security flaws.
There is need to activate comprehensive security so that risks of data breach will be avoided at a higher rate.
How does Data breaches occur?
Accidental Insider
An accidental insider happens when a student is using his classmates’ electronic device without prior or proper authorization. Although the access was unintentional and no information is shared, it is still considered as a data breach because there was no authorization.
Malicious Insider
Also, data can also be breached through malicious insider. Using the initial scenario, the student may access information with the intent of causing harm to the other. Same applies a place of work where there may be initial authorization to access vital information relating to the company but the intention for so doing, is to cause harm to the company thus leading to cyber attacks.
Physical Skimming
Furthermore, breach also occurs when information is taken via physical skimming devices like payment card fraud.
Apart from aforementioned ways, data can be breached through Lost or Stolen Devices and Malicious Outside Criminals.
What is Security breach?
On the other hand, security breach occurs as a result of unauthorized access to computer data, applications, networks or devices. It results in information being accessed without authorization. It occurs when an intruder is able to bypass security mechanisms. It is pertinent to understand the distinction between data breach and security breach.
A security breach is a broader term that covers different types of incidents relating to the violation of organizational, legislative, regulatory security, or privacy policies. A data breach on the other hand, is a more specific term that relates to data and unauthorized access and use of data by a third party. In summary, all data breaches can be categorized as security breaches, but not all security breaches will be a data breach. Be that as it may, the impacts of both cyber and security breaches don’t somewhat differ as their impacts are relatively the same.
Consequences Of Data Breach
When it comes to the consequences of data breach, the repercussions are far-reaching and deeply impactful. These breaches have evolved from mere cyber security issues to instigators of financial losses, reputational damage, legal troubles, regulatory fines, and a profound erosion of consumer trust. They include;
Financial loss
Firm funds could be stolen and loss of income could result from inability to operate, failure to complete client work or business deals, reduction in productivity, staff downtime, increased insurance premiums and the cost of attempting to recover lost information, equipment or data. Likewise, individuals are also exposed to financial loss, they are not left out.
Reputational harm
Clients expect their solicitor to operate in a safe and secure environment, and expect high standards. A security breach will cause reputational damage and could result in loss of existing and potential clients.
Identity Theft
A data breach can easily result in identity theft when sensitive information is exposed to unauthorised individuals. Hackers can use this information to steal a person’s identity and commit fraudulent activities, such as opening new accounts or making unauthorised purchases.
Breach of legal obligation
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018 require appropriate technical and organizational security. Non-compliance can result in fines, enforcement notices, or an investigation from the data protection regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office. Regulatory fines for non-compliance can be up to either 4% of annual global turnover or €20 million. See the Law Society’s Guide to GDPR for more information.
Breach of contract
Solicitors working under panel appointments, for example with banks or public bodies, may find themselves in breach of contract and potentially liable to indemnify their clients if a security breach results in a data loss.
Breach of professional rules and standards
Protection of confidential information is a fundamental feature of a solicitor’s relationship with clients under the Law Society’s practice rules and standards of conduct. Failure to introduce satisfactory security measures could be seen as a breach of this obligation and lead to a finding of misconduct.
What Are Then The Ways Of Handling Cyber Security and Data Breach Issues?
Preparation
It is very important to identify and evaluate potential risks to your data and systems. Understand what sensitive data you have and where it is stored. You need to know exactly where your most sensitive data is and why it is sensitive to help focus your cyber security strategy. Data classification tools allow you to locate sensitive data within your data stores, tag it and classify it according to risk levels and any compliance requirement you are mandated by. Knowing where this data is will help you assign the appropriate permissions and monitor your most valuable assets more closely. Develop clear cyber security policies and incident response plans. Ensure they cover data protection, employee responsibilities, and reporting procedures. Regularly train employees on cyber security best practices and how to recognize phishing attempts or other threats. Awareness is crucial in preventing breaches.
Password Policy
One of the most common causes of a data breach is weak password policies. Password policies that include regular rotation and high levels of complexity help to stop attackers from getting easy, long term access to sensitive data and systems. If your users are not changing their passwords regularly, then an attacker who manages to steal credentials will be able to access the compromised account indefinitely. Use strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to restrict access to sensitive data. Implement firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus software to protect your network from unauthorized access. Encrypt sensitive data both in transit and at rest to protect it from unauthorized access. Keep software and systems up to date with the latest security patches and updates. In addition, multi-factor authentication provides another level of protection beyond passwords to help keep data secure against external and internal threats. Multifactor authentication can take numerous forms, from simple security questions all the way through to biometric data.
Detection
Continuously monitor systems for unusual activity or unauthorized access. Use security information and event management (SIEM) tools for real-time analysis. Implement IDS to detect potential security breaches and alert your security team.
Response
Activate your incident response plan immediately upon detecting a breach. This plan should outline specific roles and responsibilities. An incident response plan that has been tested, retested and perfected, will really help you reduce the time it takes to detect and respond to a data breach. It can help reduce the potential costs of a data breach and reduce compliance fines. Regular backups of your most sensitive data should be a part of this IRP to help you mitigate the damages a data breach could cause to business function. Isolate affected systems to prevent the breach from spreading. This might involve disconnecting systems from the network. Notify relevant stakeholders, including management, IT teams, and potentially affected customers, while ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
Recovery
Investigate the breach to understand how it occurred and what vulnerabilities were exploited. This helps prevent future incidents. Restore data from backups if necessary. Ensure that the backups are secure and free from malware. After a breach, reinforce security measures. This may include changing passwords, updating security configurations, and conducting vulnerability assessments.
Post-Incident Review
Conduct a post-incident review to analyze the response and identify areas for improvement. Update your incident response plan and security policies based on lessons learned. Ensure compliance with any legal obligations related to data breaches, such as notifying affected individuals or regulatory bodies.
Continuous Improvement
Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and mitigate risks.Keep up with the latest cyber security trends, threats, and technologies to adapt your strategies accordingly.
By following these steps, organizations and individuals can better protect themselves against cyber security threats and effectively respond to data breaches when they occur.
Contact Us
For premier help in litigation and handling cyber security and data breach issues, contact Chaman Law Firm today. Our offices are conveniently located in Lagos, FCT Abuja, Ogun State, and the UK. We are readily available to assist you with your legal needs. Whether you require consultation, representation, or ongoing legal support, Chaman Law Firm is your trusted partner in navigating cyber security and data breach issues.
Call us at 08065553671 or email us at info@chamanlawfirm.com to schedule a consultation.
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