You’ll remember that in 2021, Facebook came under fire for one of the biggest data leaks in recent history. Sensitive information for over 530 million accounts, including names, phone numbers, and passwords, was compromised and revealed to the public. 

Facebook claimed that the leak occurred because of a technical glitch in its system, and that although this vulnerability had been exploited by hackers, no information was misused.

There have been many other such cases in the recent past that have made headlines and sparked outrage all over the world. Remember Pegasus Airlines, Cambridge Analytica, and - most recently - Ticketmaster?

So how exactly do data leaks occur and what can be done to protect sensitive information? This blog will take a deeper look at all you need to know to understand data leaks and how to prevent them.

What is a data leak?

A data leak is the unauthorized transfer of sensitive information to external sources. While data is usually leaked through digital mediums such as email or cloud, physical forms of data such as confidential documents or data contained in a USB drive can be leaked as well. 

This can lead to critical consequences for organizations such as reputation damage, financial loss, or non-compliance with regulatory frameworks and laws.

Types of Data Leakage

Data leaks are caused by a number of factors such as:

• Accidental data leaks: This is the most common reason for data leaks. It occurs due to human error when an individual within an organization unknowingly sends sensitive information to an unintended audience. This can be something as simple as a confidential email being sent to the wrong recipient.
• Malicious insider data leak: This is also called data exfiltration and it happens when an ill-intentioned employee steals sensitive information and distributes it to unauthorized parties. They usually do so out of vengeance or for compensation from cybercriminals. The most common ways of doing this are stealing USB drives or documents and taking pictures of sensitive information.
• Cyberattacks and social engineering: This type of data leak occurs when malignant parties intentionally target employees using malware and trick them into clicking on malicious links or sending sensitive information through phishing or spoofing attacks.

What is data leak prevention (DLP)?

Data leak prevention (DLP) is a cybersecurity practice of detecting and preventing data breaches, exfiltration, or unwanted loss of data due to accidental or intentional exposure.

A good data leak prevention strategy helps organizations monitor and protect data across cloud-based touchpoints, on premises, and on end-point devices. It also helps them comply with regulatory laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and General Data Protection and Regulation (GDPR).

What are the key factors of a DLP strategy?

In a nutshell, organizations use DLP strategies to:

• Inspect and identify sensitive data and ensure its security
• Protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
• Protect their intellectual property
• Enforce security in BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) work environments
• Achieve data visibility in large organizations
• Monitor how users are interacting with sensitive data
• Control the flow of sensitive information

Why is data leak prevention important?

According to an IBM report, the average total cost of a data breach in 2024 is $4.88 million. Meanwhile, companies that use security AI and automated prevention strategies save $2.22 million more than companies that don’t.

By implementing and enforcing rigorous DLP strategies, organizations can minimize losses and protect confidential information, especially seeing that the more sensitive the data, the more it will be attacked by hackers.

Key Strategies for Data Leak Prevention

Data Leak Prevention Strategies

So how can data leakage be prevented? Organizations need to adopt a multi-layered approach to prevent data leakage. Let’s look at a few ways to do that.

Identify Sensitive Data

To effectively safeguard sensitive data, organizations need to first identify which data is sensitive. This involves understanding the context of the data’s use and transmission and identifying patterns such as credit card numbers, healthcare records, and PII. 

This data is then classified into categories according to stringent security policies and appropriate DLP strategies are implemented for each category in accordance with global data privacy regulations.

Encrypt All Data

If all data is encrypted - whether data is at rest or in transit - cybercriminals will find it hard to exploit and misuse it. This is because a decryption key is needed to make sense of encrypted data, even if hackers manage to get their hands on it. 

However, more sophisticated cybercriminals may still be able to decrypt data without a decryption key. This is why organizations should use other prevention methods along with encryption to keep their data safe.

Restrict Access and Permissions

Some company data may be accessible by persons who don't require it. So once you've categorized sensitive data, control who has access to the different pools of data. For example, an employee who needs to know only the names of customers should not have access to their credit card information. 

Many companies apply the principle of least privilege in which they grant access only to the data employees need to perform their jobs.

Monitor Network Access

Cyber attacks are usually preceded by recon campaigns in which cybercriminals attempt to identify which security defenses they need to break down during a cyberattack. 

The more frequently you monitor your network access, the greater the chance of recognizing suspicious activity and countering it. You can use intrusion detection systems (IDS) and intrusion prevention systems (IPS) to strengthen your security measures.

Implement DLP Tools

An effective DLP strategy combines both processes and technology. Your DLP strategy should incorporate firewalls, intrusion and prevention software, encryption, analysis software, and other DLP tools to ensure that company data is not lost, misused, or exposed. 

DLP software can also identify sensitive information in emails, attachments, and other file transfers, and block them if necessary.

Secure All End-points

An end-point is a remote access point for an organization’s network either through an end user or autonomously. This could be a desktop, laptop, mobile, or IoT device. 

With so many organizations adopting remote working models, end-points have become dispersed (sometimes even globally) and even harder to secure. Organizations can use firewalls, VPNs, endpoint protectors, and other recommended security features.

Educate Stakeholders

A DLP strategy is only as strong as its weakest link. That’s why it’s important to train and educate all employees on data handling and security protocols. Regular training sessions and simulations such as phishing exercises can help reinforce the importance of keeping data safe and helping each employee understand their role in the organization’s DLP strategy. 

It’s also important to make sure any vendors you’ve partnered with are also taking cybersecurity as seriously as you do. Use vendor risk assessments to identify third-party security risks and compliance with regulatory standards.

Conclusion

As you would have guessed by now, companies should implement DLP strategies as soon as possible to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals. With CyberLynx’s 24/7 data protection and data leak prevention, you can keep your company data safe and secure. Get robust cybersecurity, IT help desk services, data backup and recovery, and speedy services - all under one roof!

Schedule a demo with us and learn more about how we can keep you safe.