What are security breaches? | 5 most common types and how to defend against them

A security breach refers to computer data, networks, applications, or devices being accessed without authorization, thus risking confidential or sensitive information being obtained illegally. During a security breach, malicious actors or intruders often exploit vulnerabilities or use phishing tactics to bypass defense mechanisms.

In this digital age, a security breach is one of the biggest fears any business or organization has. From financial loss, fraud, identity theft and privacy violation to reputational damage, sensitive data can be leaked or stolen. Hence, businesses and organizations do everything in their power to avoid security breaches by implementing robust data protections to strengthen their cyber security.

Cyber security, a subset of information security, involves protecting elements of electronic systems and communications (e.g. computers, mobile devices, servers, electronic systems, networks, and data) from malware, exploits and other forms of malicious attacks. One such attack would be a security breach, which cyber security aims to prevent.

Although security breaches and data breaches are closely related, and the former more often than not leads to the latter, there is a difference between them. Security breaches refer to the act of unauthorized access to the system, whereas data breaches are the act of actually stealing data. Think of it as a house robbery - a security breach would be when a burglar breaks into a house, while the burglar stealing items from said house would be akin to a data breach.

Security breaches can take many forms. Here we've listed some of the most common ways malicious actors can gain unauthorized access to the system.

• Password cracking

• Software exploiting

• Malware attacks

• Drive-by-downloads

• Social engineering

1. Password cracking

If a password is not strong enough, it can be easily cracked or even guessed. Hence, it is important to come up with a strong, complicated password, for instance, one that includes both lower and upper case letters, numbers, and symbols. Use different passwords for different systems to lower the risk of the password being cracked and causing security breaches.

2. Software exploiting

There are often vulnerabilities in a system, such as missing data encryptions or OS command injections. The malicious actor can use exploits to attack vulnerabilities and gain access to the system in a security breach.

3. Malware attacks

The threat actor infects the target system with a virus that can spread through the whole network to gain entry and achieve a security breach.

4. Drive-by downloads

A drive-by download occurs when someone unintentionally or unknowingly downloads a virus or other malware onto the system. Said program then allows malicious external actors to access the system in a security breach.

5. Social engineering

Social engineering is another popular means threat actors nowadays use to breach security and gain access to systems. It refers to the act of manipulating people psychologically, usually by creating a fake identity or scenario to earn their trust, to disclose confidential information.

Common social engineering tactics include phishing, pretexting, baiting, CEO frauds, etc. These tactics usually create a false scenario to trick a user within a closed network into revealing their login information, allowing malicious threat actors to then access the closed network with said information.

Having good security habits can be crucial in preventing security breaches. Below, we've put together a list of precautions you can take to make your system less vulnerable to security breach attempts.

1. Develop a robust security culture

2. Use strong passwords

3. Enable 2FA or MFA

4. Wipe old hard drives

5. Back up files

6. Install antivirus/antimalware

7. Use SSL/TLS certificates

1. Develop a robust security culture

A security culture refers to a set of ideas, customs, and social behaviors of a group related to its security. One example would be Zero Trust Security, an approach combining various security tools to protect a dispersed cloud IT network with more than one geographic location. An organization with a strong security culture is less likely to suffer security breaches.

2. Use strong passwords to prevent password cracking

As mentioned earlier, weak passwords can be easily cracked or guessed. A strong password lowers that risk. It's also important to use different passwords for different accounts and change passwords regularly to prevent security breaches and keep your system safe.

3. Enable 2FA or MFA

Two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) function similarly, with both used to verify identity and manage access. With 2FA or MFA enabled, every time you log into a system, you're required to not only enter your username and password but also go through one or more verification processes depending on the application. This provides another layer of protection to avoid security breaches.

4. Wipe old hard drives

Instead of simply deleting files on a hard drive that you're about to throw out, use a data destruction program to make sure the data on the disk cannot possibly be restored. This simple act can effectively reduce your vulnerabilities that may lead to a security breach.

5. Back up files

One of the common security breaches is ransomware attacks. It encrypts your files and then demands a certain amount of payment as ransom (hence the name) in exchange for the decryption key. Having a backup of data can keep your system safe during a ransomware attack and avoid security breaches.

6. Install anti-virus and anti-malware software

Anti-virus and anti-malware software is designed to detect and respond to viruses, malware and malicious software that has been placed on your devices. If your system is on the cloud, consider cyber security solutions offered by various security experts and cloud providers to reduce the risk of security breaches.

7. Use SSL/TLS

SSL/TLS certificates are HTTPS protocols which use encryption and thus secures communication between different devices over the computer network. It effectively reduces the risk of data being stolen during transmission or a security breach.

In the unfortunate circumstance that your organization has become a victim of a security breach, stay calm and take the following measures to minimize damage:

• Update your passwords to prevent further data leakage.

• Run an antivirus scan to identify and remove security threats.

• Inform your banks or financial institutions and make sure they keep an eye out for possible fraudulent activities related to your accounts.

• Report the crime to the authorities.

• Continue to monitor your accounts and devices afterwards and look for future suspicious activities.

Whether your system is on-premises, on the cloud or in a hybrid environment, security solutions should always be a top priority. Hi Cloud partners with major cloud providers to bring you cutting-edge cybersecurity products and tailor cloud security plans to meet your data security needs.

Get in touch and book a free consultation today.