A data leak occurs when sensitive information is inadvertently exposed, typically due to a human error or oversight. Unlike a breach, which is the result of an attacker exploiting an unknown vulnerability, data leaks are often caused by internal issues like misconfigured software or improper data security controls. In addition, they can also happen when third-party vendors or supply chain partners don’t have strong data security measures in place.
When personal information is leaked, individuals face identity theft and fraud risks that damage their reputations and finances. They can also feel vulnerable and resentful towards the organization that failed to protect their private information.
In the past, cybercriminals have exploited leaked information to steal intellectual property and trade secrets, which can have serious repercussions for business growth and competitive advantage. They can also use stolen assets to blackmail organizations with ransomware and other malicious attacks, which can have a lasting negative impact on a company’s bottom line.
One of the most well-known examples of a data leak was when Heartland Payment Systems revealed that hackers had accessed their database in 2015. The hack included credit card information, names, addresses and Social Security numbers for millions of customers. This information was later used by criminals to commit various types of fraud, including identity theft and account takeover.
Organizations can prevent data leakage by implementing policies and tools that ensure sensitive information stays within its intended environment. This starts with conducting comprehensive data inventories to locate regulated, confidential and proprietary information across all environments, including databases, endpoints, emails, cloud repositories, and third-party platforms. Clear data classification and regular updates to the inventory help prioritize resources and enforce nuanced access controls, while automated discovery tools can continuously scan for misconfigurations that expose sensitive information to the threat landscape.