Types of Data Breaches Every Business Must Know

As we know, data breaches can devastate businesses, damage your reputation and lead to financial losses. As per IBM's security report, the total average cost of a data breach for UK businesses is £3.4 million.

Understanding the different types of data breaches and how to protect against them is crucial to maintaining security and privacy in the workspace.

In this blog post, we will address the 13 most common types of data breaches businesses face and provide actionable steps to protect against potential data breaches.

What is a Data Breach?

A data breach is a security incident where unauthorised individuals gain access to confidential, sensitive, or protected information, systems, or networks through cyberattacks.

When a data breach occurs, cybercriminals steal your confidential data either physically, such as confiscating a laptop, or electronically through hacking into operating systems. This leads to revealing sensitive information, causing cyber threats like credential theft, identity theft, financial losses, or reputational damage.

As per the UK Data Breach Report 2024, it is evident that phishing is the most common type of data breach or cyber attack, affecting 84% of businesses. In addition, impersonating companies in emails, or online and viruses, or other malware have affected 35% and 17% of companies respectively.

Data breaches happen when attackers seek stolen data or personally identifiable information (PII) through various channels such as the Internet, Bluetooth, and text messages.

The consequences of a data security breach can lead to exposure, and theft and can compromise data alteration. Also, destruction of data can compromise the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the information or systems involved.

Most Common Types of Data Breaches

Source: ResearchGate

Here are the 13 most common types of data security breaches you should protect against, with tips to prevent data breaches:

1. Phishing Attacks

Phishing is a type of data breach which involves cybercriminals sending deceptive messages, usually through email, to trick individuals into revealing personal information or clicking on malicious links. These messages often appear to come from legitimate sources, making them highly effective.

Attackers typically design these emails to mimic well-known organisations, such as banks, government agencies or popular online services, to gain the recipient's trust.

Common phishing attacks include emails pretending to be from banks, asking for account details, or messages claiming to be from a colleague, requesting access to company systems.

Another example is spear phishing, where attackers target specific individuals with tailored messages, often based on information gathered from social media or other sources.

2. Malware Attacks

Malware, short for malicious software, is another form of data breach which includes various harmful programs designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorised access to operating systems.

The main types of malware include:

• Viruses
• Worms
• Trojans
• Spyware

To prevent malware infections, businesses or affected individuals should:

• Install anti-malware software on the operating system and update it regularly.

• Keep all systems and software up to date with the latest patches.

• Conduct employee training about the dangers of downloading and installing unverified software or clicking on suspicious links that install malware.

• Use firewalls and other security tools to monitor and control network traffic.

3. Ransomware

Ransomware is malware that encrypts an individual's files or private data and demands payment to provide the decryption key.

A ransomware data breach can pause business operations and result in risk of security breaches such as identity theft, intellectual property theft, stolen data, financial losses, data breach costs and reputational damage.

To prevent a ransomware attack, businesses should:

• Have regular, secure backups for all valuable data and information.

• Ensure that the backups are stored either on-premise or in the cloud.

• Use strong antivirus software that can detect and block ransomware.

• Develop a response plan that includes steps for isolating infected systems, notifying stakeholders, and restoring data from backups.

4. SQL Injection

Another type of data breach is SQL injection which exploits vulnerabilities in a website’s database layer, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands.

Furthermore, these commands can manipulate the database, extract or steal sensitive information, or even take control of the entire server.

In addition to legitimate access to login credentials and confidential information, cybercriminals gain access to other sensitive data.

To prevent SQL injection, companies should:

• Use prepared statements and parameterised queries to ensure user input is treated as data and not executable code.

• Implement input validation and sanitisation to filter out potentially harmful characters from user input.

• Regularly update and patch database management systems and web applications to fix known vulnerabilities.

• Conduct security audits and code reviews to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the code.

5. Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks

In man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks, cybercriminals intercept and alter communication between two parties without their knowledge. This can lead to a security breach, such as stolen login credentials or financial information.

MitM attacks can occur through various methods, including:

• Wi-Fi eavesdropping: Attackers set up fake Wi-Fi networks to intercept data.

• Session hijacking: Attackers steal session cookies to impersonate users.

• SSL stripping: Attackers downgrade secure HTTPS connections to unencrypted HTTP.

Businesses can prevent MitM attacks by:

• Using encrypted communication channels, such as HTTPS, to protect data in transit.

• Implementing strong authentication methods, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), to ensure the identity of users.

• Regularly updating and configuring network equipment to prevent unauthorised access.

6. Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks

DoS attacks flood a network or server with traffic, rendering it unavailable to legitimate users. These attacks can be carried out using various methods, including:

• Volumetric attacks: Overwhelming the target with a high volume of traffic.

• Protocol attacks: Exploiting weaknesses in network protocols to exhaust resources.

• Application-layer attacks: Targeting specific applications with requests designed to consume server resources.

To mitigate the distributed denial of service, businesses should:

• Use firewalls and intrusion detection systems to filter and block malicious traffic.

• Implement DDoS protection services that can absorb and mitigate attack traffic.

• Monitor the network for unusual activity and respond quickly to any potential breach notification.

7. Credential Stuffing

In credential stuffing, attackers use lists of compromised usernames and passwords to access sensitive data. Employees can reuse passwords across multiple sites.

Attackers obtain these lists of stolen credentials from previous data breaches and automate login attempts using stolen credentials on various websites and services.

To protect against credential theft, businesses should:

• Encourage the use of unique, strong passwords for each account.

• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security.

• Monitor login attempts for unusual patterns, such as multiple failed attempts from the same IP address.

• Use rate limiting and other techniques to slow down or block automated login attempts.

8. Insider Threats

Another type of data breach is insider threats which can be malicious (intentional harm) or accidental (negligent behaviour).

Businesses need to safeguard physical records and company devices to prevent data theft. Data breaches can happen through physical means such as lost or stolen devices.

Common types of insider threats include:

• Malicious insiders: Individuals who intentionally misuse their access to harm the organisation or steal data for financial gain.

• Negligent insiders: Employees who accidentally (human error) expose data due to careless behaviour or lack of awareness.

• Compromised insiders: Employees whose accounts are taken over by external attackers due to any human error.

To detect and prevent insider threats, businesses should:

• Monitor user behaviour for signs of unusual activity, such as accessing sensitive data outside of normal working hours.

• Conduct security training programmes for employees about the security risks and best practices for minimising human error and protecting data.

• Implement zero trust and the principle of least privilege to limit access the data for employees.

9. Physical Theft

Physical theft of devices such as laptops, smartphones, or USB drives can lead to data breaches if the stolen items contain valuable information. This risk is particularly high for employees who travel frequently or work remotely.

To prevent physical theft, businesses should:

• Implement robust security measures, such as security badges and locked doors, to restrict access to physical spaces.

• Use security cameras and other surveillance tools to monitor for suspicious activity.

• Regular security assessments to ensure all devices are encrypted and protected by strong passwords.

• Educate employees about the importance of physical security and the risks of leaving devices unattended.

10. Unpatched Software

Unpatched software contains vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit to gain access to systems. These vulnerabilities are often well-known and documented, making them easy targets for cybercriminals.

For an effective patch management, businesses should:

• Regularly update all software and computer systems to protect against known vulnerabilities.

• Use automated tools to manage patches and ensure they are applied promptly.

• Stay informed about new system vulnerabilities and updates from software vendors.

11. Social Engineering

Social engineering attacks manipulate individuals into divulging confidential information. Some common techniques include:

• Pretexting: Creating a fabricated scenario to trick someone into revealing information.

• Baiting: Offering something enticing, such as free software, to lure victims into providing information or downloading malware.

• Tailgating: Following someone into a restricted area without proper authorisation.

To protect against social engineering attacks, businesses should:

• Educate employees about common tactics and how to recognise them.

• Verify the identity of individuals requesting sensitive data through multiple channels.

• Establish security protocols and procedures for handling confidential information.

• Encourage a culture of security awareness and vigilance among employees.

12. Data Leaks

Data leaks occur when personal data is inadvertently exposed, often through unsecured databases, misconfigured cloud storage, or accidental sharing.

Common causes of data leaks include:

• Human error: Mistakes made by employees, such as sending emails to the wrong recipients or misconfiguring security settings.

• Misconfigured systems: Improperly set up databases or cloud storage that leave data accessible to unauthorised users.

• Inadequate access controls: Lack of proper restrictions on who can access sensitive information.

To prevent data leaks, businesses should:

• Conduct regular security audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.

• Use encryption to protect data both in transit and at rest.

• Implement strict access controls to ensure only authorised personnel can access sensitive information.

13. Password Cracking

Password cracking, also known as password guessing, involves repeatedly attempting different password guesses and checking them against an available cryptographic hash of the password to gain unauthorised access to a computer system.

The common types of password guessing include:

• Brute force attacks: Attempting to guess passwords through trial and error.

• Dictionary attacks: Using a list of common passwords and phrases to guess passwords.

• Password spraying: Trying a few common passwords across many accounts to avoid detection.

To strengthen password security, businesses should:

• Enforce complex password policies that require a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters.

• Use password managers to generate and store strong, unique passwords.

• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security.

Summary

In conclusion, security breaches can come in different forms, including SIM swapping, supply chain attacks, QR phishing, credential stuffing, insider threats, phishing attacks, malware, ransomware, SQL injection, MITM attacks, DoS attacks, data theft, unpatched software, social engineering, password guessing and many more.

The most important factor in preventing data breaches is to have strong security measures in place. This can include implementing robust authentication controls, encrypting data, regularly updating and patching software, and backing up data.

Aztech provides comprehensive cybersecurity services to safeguard your data. To learn more about different types of data breaches and how to protect against them, get in touch with one of our security experts.

FAQs

What should be done after a data breach?

After a serious data breach occurs, businesses should assess the damage, notify affected parties, and take steps to prevent future data breaches by improving security protocols, implementing strong password policies etc.

Are small businesses at risk of data breaches?

Small businesses are often at risk of data breaches as they have fewer resources for cybersecurity, making them attractive targets for attackers.

How often should software be updated to prevent data breaches?

Ideally, as soon as patches or updates are released, software should be updated immediately.

What is the role of employees in preventing data breaches?

Employees play a crucial role in preventing data breaches by following security protocols, being aware of phishing and social engineering tactics, and reporting suspicious activity.