Data breaches can seriously damage a company’s reputation. Customers lose trust, and the loss of their business can be catastrophic. Read on to learn more about the consequences that a data breach can have on your business.
A data breach is when hackers break into secure databases to get their hands on sensitive data like your social security number, bank account details, or even your healthcare information. Cybercriminals also target businesses, stealing customer data, financial records, and valuable intellectual property.
In a world where information is power, understanding the different types of data can help protect your business from potential cyber threats:
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) includes names, addresses, social security numbers, and any other information that can identify an individual. This is the jackpot for cyber criminals, as it can be sold on the dark web for a hefty sum.
Financial information includes credit card numbers, bank accounts, investment data, expiration dates, and other similar data.
Health data includes a wide range of sensitive information, such as health conditions, prescription drugs, treatments, and medical records.
Intellectual property refers to any material that your company has developed, like product drawings, scientific formulas, marketing texts, and proprietary software.
Competition-related data, including market studies, pricing info, and business plans, are also prime targets for cybercriminals.
Legal information has become a prime target for cybercriminals, including court case documentation, business practice opinions, merger details, and regulatory rulings.
Hackers can also get their hands on valuable IT information, such as usernames, passwords, encryption keys, security strategies, and even network structure.
Personal, financial, and health information can be sold to unknown third parties. These valuable data points are not only vulnerable to marketing schemes, but also potential fraud and identity theft. Intellectual property theft can be sold and used to develop products similar to yours. Competitors can get their hands on your competitive information to block your plans and gain an unfair advantage. And leaked legal information can damage your legal position.
Data breaches are a constant threat in today’s digital world—and the source of these threats can come from both inside and outside your organization. From disgruntled employees leaking sensitive information to external individuals using emails or malicious websites to install malware, the risks are real. Even your cloud services provider’s employees can access your data and compromise its security.
The consequences of a data breach are endless—not only will it drain your bank account, but it will also damage your reputation.
At CAL IT Group, we can help mitigate the risk of a data breach targeting your business with our multi-vector security approach. Our team uses advanced tools and strategies to identify potential vulnerabilities and develop comprehensive techniques that address breach risks associated with your business. Contact us today to learn more about our cybersecurity services.
