A data breach happens when someone gets access to private information that can be used to do harm. These breaches can cause financial loss for individuals and organizations, damage reputation and result in operational downtime.
A breach can be triggered by many different factors such as malware infection, hardware or software failure or even a simple human mistake. Once the breach is detected, it should be immediately investigated and containment measures should be put in place.
Identify the affected parts of your network and isolate them. Work with your forensic investigator to determine what data was accessed and from where. Record all the evidence to form your initial investigation plan and evaluate your findings.
If you have a good security architecture, you may be able to limit the scope of your data breach by properly segmenting your network. However, in some cases, attackers can exploit flaws in your system, server or website by using lateral movement and privilege escalation.
The most common reasons for data breaches are malicious insiders like angry employees or hackers who want to damage the company’s reputation or make a profit. In addition, attackers can steal credit card numbers and bank accounts to drain funds or use compromised email addresses to gain access to online banking services or social media sites. It is also possible for a hacker to post stolen personal information on the internet to sell or otherwise expose it for others to see.