All businesses store large amounts of private data. This is primarily made up of customer information but can also include proprietary details about their products and services. Whenever this data is stolen, businesses can have their reputation harmed and face extortion attempts. The act of stealing data is often referred to as data exfiltration.
So what does data exfiltration involve, and how do you prevent it?
What Is Data Exfiltration?
Data exfiltration is the process of transferring private data from a server or device without authorization. It can be performed by those inside and outside of an organization, and achieved using many different techniques.
Depending on the type of data that is stolen, it can be a significant security breach for any organization. Data is often stolen so that it can be sold to another party, but it can also be taken so that the thief can contact the business and request payment for not selling it.
Types of Data Exfiltration
Data exfiltration can be carried out in many different ways.
Hackers often attempt to access private data. They attempt to access secure networks by either stealing passwords, cracking them, or exploiting software vulnerabilities. The ability of a hacker to carry this out depends on both their skill levels and how well the network is protected.
Malware is often used for the purpose of accessing secure networks. Once malware,particularly keylogging software, is successfully installed on a device, an attacker may be able to record any password that is typed. Other types of malware can provide remote access; this can be used to infiltrate any network that the device is logged into.
Phishing emails are designed to steal passwords by sending users to malicious websites. Business employees are targets of phishing because the perpetrators know that they often have access to secure networks with large amounts of private customer information. That means phishing on employees is more profitable than those on private individuals.
Insider Threats
An insider threat is a person working at a business that attempts to steal data or otherwise attack the network. Insider threats are difficult to defend against because the person involved understands the network’s security procedures and they often have access to secure data as part of their role.
How to Prevent Data Exfiltration
Businesses can employ a variety of techniques to defend against data exfiltration.
Perform Regular Software Updates
All software should be regularly updated. Outdated software is a major security risk and can be used by hackers to access secure areas. Outdated software can also make a business a target. Hackers often search online for servers that haven’t been updated.
Monitor What Users Do
Network administrators should be able to monitor what employees are doing on a network and what files they are accessing. User behavior should be logged to both identify suspicious activity and provide proof of who accessed what in the event of data being stolen.
Use User and Entity Behavior Analytics
User and entity behavior analytics programs monitor a network automatically and alert you if a user is behaving suspiciously. They do this by tracking how users typically behave and detecting any behavior that deviates from this. UEBA programs are useful for detecting users who are about to steal data.
Require Strong Passwords
All users should be required to use long passwords with a mixture of letters, numbers, and symbols. They should also avoid using the same passwords on multiple accounts. If a user reuses passwords on multiple accounts, a successful attack on one account can provide access to all accounts.
Require the Use of Two-Factor Authentication
All users should be required to use two-factor authentication. Once added to an account, two-factor authentication makes it impossible to access an account without a second form of authentication, usually the user’s device. Two-factor authentication makes phishing emails ineffective because even if the user provides their password, the perpetrator won’t be able to access the account.
Use Encryption on Private Data
Customer information should only be stored in encrypted form. Once encrypted, it becomes inaccessible to hackers without a decryption key, providing an additional line of defense against intrusions.
Use Data Loss Prevention Tools
Data loss prevention tools are designed to monitor user activity and prevent suspicious transfers. If a user is attempting to access and transfer private data that they are not supposed to, data loss prevention software can stop the transfer.
Implement Policies of Least Privilege
Aleast privilege policydictates that all users are only given sufficient network privilege to perform their roles. It requires that they are only given limited access to a network and cannot access data that is not necessary for their role. Once implemented, if a users account is hacked, the perpetrator’s access will be similarly limited.
Implement Responsible Bring Your Own Device Policies
Abring your own device policyshould be implemented that prevents users adding unnecessary devices to a network and restricts what data can be accessed using them. If insecure devices are added to a network, they can be used by hackers to access secure areas.
Don’t Implement Policies That Impact Productivity
Efforts to prevent data exfiltration should notprevent employees from being productive. If a user requires access to data in order to fulfill their role, they should be provided with that data. Policies should make networks difficult for hackers to access, but should not limit employees actions.
All Businesses Should Protect Against Data Exfiltration
Any business that stores customer information should understand the threat posed by data exfiltration. Customer information is valuable to hackers for both sale and extortion purposes. If it’s easily accessible, the harm to a businesses reputation and profitability can be significant.
Due to the profitability of data exfiltration, cybercriminals rely on a variety of techniques for achieving it including malware, rogue employees, and hacking. To protect against data exfiltration, business should employ strong cybersecurity policies on their entire network. The alternative is to leave themselves exposed to significant reputational damage.
