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Use your favorite search engine and search for “world’s greatest data breaches and hacks.” Scan through the hits until you find visual diagrams or a text-based list of major data breaches that have occurred recently. (Major data breaches are defined as those in excess of 30,000 records.) Select and carefully review at least two of these data breaches. Briefly describe the two data breaches you selected. Explain in layman’s terms how you think these breaches occurred. Discuss whether or not you agree with Verizon’s assertion that over 80% of breaches are caused by human error. Describe how appropriate governance frameworks might have prevented these data breaches from occurring. Support your statements with evidence from your sources.
Sample Answer
The Impact of Human Error in Data Breaches
Introduction
In today’s interconnected world, data breaches have become a significant concern for individuals and organizations alike. These breaches can lead to the unauthorized access, theft, or exposure of sensitive information, resulting in financial losses, reputational damage, and potential legal consequences. While there are numerous causes of data breaches, this essay will focus on the role of human error in these incidents. By examining two recent data breaches and analyzing their root causes, we can better understand the impact of human error and the importance of appropriate governance frameworks in preventing such incidents.
Case Study 1: Equifax Data Breach
The Equifax data breach, which occurred in 2017, is considered one of the most significant breaches in history. It resulted in the compromise of personal information belonging to approximately 147 million individuals. Attackers exploited a vulnerability in an Apache Struts web application framework that Equifax was using. The company failed to patch this vulnerability promptly, allowing hackers to gain access to their system and extract sensitive data.
In this case, human error played a crucial role in the breach. Equifax’s IT department failed to apply a critical security patch that had been available for two months prior to the incident. This oversight allowed hackers to exploit a known vulnerability and gain unauthorized access to the system. The failure to follow proper patch management procedures and prioritize security updates was a significant error on the part of Equifax’s IT staff.
Case Study 2: Marriott International Data Breach
Another major data breach occurred in 2018 when Marriott International discovered unauthorized access to their Starwood guest reservation database. This breach exposed personal information of approximately 500 million guests, including names, addresses, passport numbers, and payment card details. The attackers had been present in the system since 2014, highlighting a long-standing security lapse.
The Marriott breach can be attributed to multiple human errors. During the integration of Starwood’s systems into Marriott’s infrastructure, security weaknesses went unnoticed. Furthermore, Marriott failed to detect the unauthorized access for four years, demonstrating a lack of effective monitoring and incident response protocols. These errors allowed the attackers to exfiltrate sensitive data over an extended period before being discovered.
The Role of Human Error in Data Breaches
Verizon’s assertion that over 80% of breaches are caused by human error is a significant claim that aligns with the findings from the aforementioned case studies. In both Equifax and Marriott’s breaches, human mistakes such as failing to apply security patches promptly, overlooking security weaknesses during system integration, and inadequate monitoring played critical roles.
Human error can manifest in various forms, including negligence, lack of awareness, insufficient training, or even deliberate actions. Regardless of the underlying cause, it is clear that organizations must address human error as a critical factor in preventing data breaches.
The Importance of Governance Frameworks
Appropriate governance frameworks can play a vital role in preventing data breaches by establishing guidelines, policies, and procedures that promote security best practices. These frameworks provide a structured approach to risk management and ensure that security measures are implemented consistently across an organization.
In the case of Equifax, a robust governance framework could have included regular vulnerability assessments and patch management procedures that enforced the timely application of security updates. Such measures would have mitigated the risk posed by known vulnerabilities and significantly reduced the likelihood of a breach.
Similarly, in the Marriott breach, an effective governance framework would have emphasized proper integration testing and validation processes during system integration. Additionally, regular monitoring and incident response protocols could have detected and mitigated the unauthorized access earlier.
Conclusion
Human error is undoubtedly a significant contributor to data breaches, as demonstrated by the Equifax and Marriott incidents. Organizations must recognize the importance of addressing this issue through appropriate governance frameworks that prioritize security best practices. By implementing robust procedures for patch management, integration testing, monitoring, and incident response, organizations can greatly reduce the likelihood of falling victim to data breaches. Only through a comprehensive approach that combines technological safeguards with human diligence can we effectively protect sensitive information in today’s digital landscape.
