No business wants to experience a data security breach. Beyond the immediate financial impact, a loss of customer faith can cripple a business. Just one data breach can impact the viability of a whole organization which is why many businesses are spending more on cybersecurity tools and technologies today.

However, many of them are not getting the full value of their investment. Knowing what causes a breach is the first step in preventing one.

Use of legacy FTP services

FTP servers have provided a way to transfer sensitive files for many years. However, most legacy FTP servers fail to provide the level of security required to avoid data breaches, leaks and errors as they were not originally created with security in mind.

GoAnywhere Managed File Transfer is a solution that gives IT and security teams a secure way to manage data exchange. Its FTP servers have extensive security features such as robust permission protocols and multiple authentication methods. An FTP server is free to download and provides users with an administrator dashboard, user management, file triggers, and detailed audit trails.

Inconsistent or lack of security training for employees

One of the main reasons for data breaches is human error. Employees are the weakest link in the data security chain. The specific nature of the errors may differ but they are generally the result of weak password use, sending sensitive information to the wrong people, sharing password information or falling for phishing scams.

Many human errors can be prevented by making sure employees receive training in basic data security measures. They usually need to hear the same message time and time again before it changes their behavior.

This is why scheduling regular training sessions is important – one session is definitely not enough. Top managers need to commit to a coordinated, continuous effort throughout an organization to ensure cybersecurity awareness, training and compliance.

Lack of control over access to critical data

Human error implies an innocent mistake, whereas insider misuse is when an authorized user deliberately misuses company systems, generally for personal profit. Uncovering insider misuse is not easy, with many cases only coming to light on forensic examination of devices after an employee has already left a company.

Businesses are learning the hard way that they need to limit access to critical data and keep a tight rein on who has access to what. If they don’t, they are either likely to give the permissions to the wrong people or leave out of date permissions that hackers can exploit. It is possible to limit such damage by allowing single users access to fewer files and systems on a network or cloud.

Not keeping security tools updated

Business managers need to implement and upgrade software designed to detect and prevent data breaches. Many security vulnerabilities often go unfixed for a period of time and hackers use these vulnerabilities to access sensitive information.

Professionals recommend installing patches whenever they are available and making sure all application software and operating systems are up to date at all times. It is even possible for security tools to be incorrectly installed in the first place, which means they don’t work properly.

Hackers are persistent and sophisticated

Hackers use malicious software to open up access to exploit a system and potentially other connected systems. Malware could be a keylogger that tracks what the user types into a machine. Ransomware locks a system and demands payment for a user to regain access.

Hackers are often well-financed, persistent and launch attack campaigns. Organizations that do not just focus on individual alerts by conventional malware detection products may be able to spot breaches early.