The Role of Human Error in Data Spillage Incidents

Unraveling Human Factors in Data Breaches

Data spillage is a term used to describe the exposure of sensitive or classified information outside an organization’s designated boundary of network or safety perimeter. It can occur for various reasons, such as data breaches, lack of safety measures, or outdated systems. However, the most significant and potentially devastating cause of data spillage is Human Error.

According to a study from CompTIA, the human element accounts for the root cause of 52% of data breaches. In this article, we will interpret the role of human error in data spillage incidents and how understanding its role is instructive and invaluable in preventing such occurrences in the future. Exploring the types of human errors, we will look at some probable mitigation approaches to eradicate them.

Data Spillage Incidents

Facebook-Cambridge Analytica Data Spill

In 2018, data of up to 87 million Facebook users was inappropriately shared with Cambridge Analytica (a defunct political consulting firm) for political profiling. This data spill led to investigations by regulatory authorities, public outrage, and heavy damage to Facebook’s prestige.

Causes: It happened due to Facebook’s permissive data privacy policies, insufficient monitoring of third-party app developers, and deficiency in complying with data protection regulations.

Learnings: Facebook enhanced user consent mechanisms and strict data privacy regulations and applied greater transparency in data-sharing activities.

Data Spillage at National Security Agency

On 12th May 2013, former NSA contractor Edward Snowden spilled classified documents to journalists, revealing the surveillance programs of the NSA and its international partners. It became the most significant (NSA) leak in history. The leak exposed the data of millions of individuals from mass surveillance activities worldwide.

Causes: The data got leaked because of human error, that is, Edward Snowden leaking the information.

Learnings: After the incident, the NSA applied severe data safety measures with an effective chain of command and accountability.

Panama Papers Leak

This data leak incident happened in 2016. Around 11.5 million documents were leaked from Mossack Fonseca (a Panamanian law firm), exposing the financial dealings of notable individuals and entities worldwide. The documents revealed offshore funds and shell companies used for tax evasion, money laundering, and other crimes.

Causes: Lenient internal controls and deficient data security measures caused this data spillage.

Learnings: Many learnings can be extracted, such as encryption of sensitive information, the importance of strict data management, and regular security checks to prevent unauthorized disclosures.

NASA Laptop theft

Another example of human error in data spillage happened in 2011 when an unencrypted laptop containing the personal information of over 10,000 NASA employees was stolen from a NASA employee’s car. It contained PII (personally identifiable information), including Social Security numbers and command and control codes for the International Space Station.

Cause: It was caused by moderate employee data security measures, including the security of the data stored on laptops and mobile devices.

Learnings: NASA later investigated the incident and improved employee data security by adequately encrypting devices, including encryption measures for confidential information stored on devices.

Types of Human Error in Cybersecurity

According to an IBM Threat Intelligence survey, human error contributes to 95% of cyberattacks. Learning the types of human error in cybersecurity can help avoid them by looking for their symptoms of existence. Several factors lead to human errors in cyber security; these are as follows:

Password Concerns

A password is a crucial credential that is highly confidential and sensitive to disclose, as it has access to personal data. One of the most significant human errors in cybersecurity is using weak passwords and sharing and reusing passwords with unassociated people.

With 30% of internet users experiencing a data breach due to a weak password and 13% of Americans using the same password for every account, organizations should have strict credentials policies and technical awareness among employees. This will minimize the chances of human errors caused by password concerns.

Improper handling of Data

When data is not managed correctly, the risk of data spillage increases. Inaccurate, duplicate, and outdated data can lead to misinformed decisions, thus executing wrong choices and leaving scope for human errors.

For example, accidentally emailing the wrong recipient due to the inaccurate recipient data provided can lead to massive havoc of data leaks. Hence, improper data handling can result in data spillage. Organizations should have an effective data management system for smooth and safe operations.

Software Concerns

Software concerns can occur due to outdated software consumption and unauthorized software usage by employees and staff. Obsolete software is more likely to be breached, eventually leading to data spillage.

Software vulnerabilities, improper configuration, and a lack of employee expertise in using software applications are a few human errors that can lead to data spillage.

Phishing and cyber-attacking

Phishing is a technique to acquire confidential data through deceitful solicitation in an email or website. This data can be login details or (PII) acquired by a phisher imposed as a reputable person.

Cyber-attacking occurs when attackers find bugs or system vulnerabilities in an organization and then exploit them completely. These vulnerabilities or bugs arise due to insider threats such as a lack of awareness, negligence, and fast errors due to stress, overwork, or lack of common sense.

Unregulated Data Access

Employees’ unregulated or unauthoritative access to an organization’s data can result in misuse and data changes. Organizations should only allow data or system access to required and assigned systems and employees. This will result in better data management and coordination.

Despite these, there are other human errors, such as clicking on unauthorized links, sharing wifi networks, not locking company systems, etc.

Human error is one of the most challenging aspects of security to de-risk. However, with the proper mitigating measures and the latest technology, organizations can detect, prevent, and eliminate most human errors in cyber security.

Mitigating Human Error in Cybersecurity

Reducing human error in cybersecurity involves multiple layers that address all aspects of human behavior, knowledge, and technology. Here are some ways that can help in mitigating human errors in cyber security:

Training and Awareness

Educating employees on cybersecurity measures can help them recognize and avoid potential problems. For example, a weekly phishing simulation exercise that educates employees to identify and report suspicious emails can equip them to steer clear of phishing attacks, giving them a sense of control over their digital security.

User Access Control

Limiting access rights based on job duties can reduce the chances of data spillage or unauthorized work. For example, suppose employees can access sensitive data irrelevant to their job. In that case, they might inadvertently misuse or leak this information, leading to severe legal and reputational consequences for the organization. Allowing employees to access only appropriate systems and data according to their job requirements can significantly reduce the risk of such incidents.

Strong Authe ntication

Using multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security beyond passwords. MFA requires users to provide multiple authentication formats, such as a password and phone number, making it difficult for attackers to gain unauthorized access even if the password is compromised.

Incident Respo nse Plan

A clear response plan enables the organization to manage human error incidents when they occur. This includes clear procedures for reporting incidents and accidents, investigating root causes, and implementing remedial measures to prevent reoccurrence. Businesses can also promote risk management at all levels by creating a security culture prioritizing cybersecurity.

Automation and R egular Updates

Automated tools that monitor and identify vulnerabilities can help recognize and respond to security incidents promptly. Keeping up-to-date software, operating systems, and security tools can help prevent attackers from using malware, resulting in lower chances of data breaches and leaks.

By addressing these aspects comprehensively, organizations can significantly reduce the impact of human errors in cybersecurity and enhance their overall security structure.

The Future of Human Error and Data Spillage

Emerging trends in Cybersecurity

• The rise of quantum computing: Quantum computing can develop more sophisticated algorithms for detecting cyber threats and efficiently managing large-scale, secure data operations soon. However, it may pose a threat to existing cybersecurity protocols. The ability to quickly break traditional encryption methods such as RSA and ECC can leave many security systems vulnerable to attacks.
• Evolution of phishing attacks: Soon, we will continue to see social engineering and phishing attacks that become more complex with technology. Phishers will use artificial intelligence to create more human-like content, thus making the attack more sophisticated and less suspicious.
• The rapid growth of cybersecurity insurance: In 2024, cybersecurity insurance achieved immense popularity, as it helps organizations with their security infrastructure, reducing the likelihood of cyber attacks. A cybersecurity insurance policy can help organizations cover the financial losses, including all costs associated with repair processes and customer refunds that may incur during a cyber-attack or data breach.

Potential Threats and Opportunities:

Threats

1. Ransomware: In 2023, MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment suffered significant ransomware attacks. Ransomware attacks cost victims billions of dollars and can be multiplied with tools like AI and blockchain technology. Failing to provide ransom to the attackers can lead to massive data leaks. Lack of awareness and negligence lead to bugs and system vulnerabilities by companies, which amplifies the threat of ransomware attacks.
2. Rise of complexities in security systems: As security systems become more complex with technological advancements, they become more complicated for users to understand and manage. This difficulty can increase human error as employees try to comply with complex security procedures, causing accidental data spillage.
3. Cloud Security threats: As more data and applications move to the cloud, the risk of breach increases. Misconfigured cloud services can be easily exploited, leading to data theft or leakage. With advancements in cybersecurity, the threats of IoT (Internet of Things) and malware attacks are increasing.

Opportunities

1. Improve employee training and awareness: Employee training and awareness methods like gamified learning and phishing simulations can help employees detect and prevent security breaches and data spillage.
2. Automation and artificial intelligence-focused security solutions: AI can help identify vulnerabilities, automate threat responses, and provide instant guidance to users, reducing the potential for data leaks.
3. User-Centered Security Design: By simplifying security tasks and integrating user-friendly interfaces, organizations can reduce the risk of human error and improve their overall data protection.

Predictions for the role of human error in data spillage incidents

There will be several predicted factors that will lead to human error in data spillage. These are as follows:

As technology advances, machines become more complex, increasing the potential for human error. With the gradual boost in organizations’ data volume, the data leakage opportunities will be amplified. However, effective measures for preventing data spillage will be available with DLP (Data Loss Prevention) tools, such as McAfee DLP, Forcepoint DLP, and Symantec DLP.

Conclusion

Eliminating every human error in cybersecurity is impossible, as constant growth makes mistakes inevitable. However, human errors can be reduced and regulated with proper safety measures and post-data leak solutions. By embracing a proactive and futuristic mindset and investing in technological solutions, we strive for a landscape where robust technology works alongside human vigilance to safeguard sensitive data.

In conclusion, we stand on the verge of an era in which we envision a better future for cybersecurity, which can mitigate the risk of data spillage incidents and build a more secure digital ecosystem.

About the Author

Anirudh Saini is the Content Writer of BuzzClan. He is a passionate part-time Content Writer and a full-time Learner who uses words to portray his knowledge. He has been specializing in writing on technical concepts like AI, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, SEO, and more in connection with the digital economy and finance.

He is a curious learner who enjoys experimenting with fresh and varied areas like philosophy, psychology, and technology. Writing blogs and articles on Medium, LinkedIn, and Noupe, with a keen interest in poems and quotes he aims for excellence and endeavors personal and career growth. Anirudh can be reached online at [email protected] and our company website https://buzzclan.com