How do data leaks happen?
Despite the focus on malicious attacks in the media, such as phishing and malware, data from the ICO consistently reveals human error to be the leading cause of data breaches. Incidents such as missent emails, failure to redact sensitive data, or misuse of Bcc regularly see organizations in the headlines for data loss.
Controlling human error continues to challenge IT and infosec leaders. However, progressive organizations acknowledge the fault lies in their technology, not in their people. After all, email wasn’t developed to be secure and lacks vital security and data loss prevention functionalities required to protect sensitive data before, during, and after sending. To build robust defences and empower people to avoid common causes of data loss, our technology must be enhanced.
Ultimately, data protection is not just a technical or regulatory box to check. It’s a fundamental duty of care organizations owe to their customers, employees, and stakeholders. The ICO’s call to action serves as a reminder that responsibility for data integrity is an evolving, multi-faceted task. With regulatory bodies and stakeholders demanding higher standards of security, it is time to think of data protection not only as an obligation, but as a moral imperative that requires constant vigilance and improvement. In doing so, we will protect not just data but also the trust and well-being of the individuals who rely on us.
To find out how we support over 11,000 organizations globally to prevent data leaks and meet complex compliance requirements, get in touch.