Dealing with Data Exfiltration in Business

Due to the sophisticated methods of deception employed by cybercriminals in 2021, a successful network attack can be utterly devastating to a business, no matter the size of the company. 

For cyber-attacks like data exfiltration, the threat often comes from within, an unfortunate truth that must be addressed should businesses aim to fully secure themselves against potential harm. 

From a damaged reputation and a loss of data to heavy fines and the theft of income, the consequences of cybercrime are very real and exceptionally difficult to deal with. 

If you suspect that your business might be suffering from a case of data exfiltration, or you have suffered a successful cyber-attack, here are some points to think about. 

How to Recognize Data Exfiltration

Data exfiltration does is not always malicious; in fact, many employees can do it accidentally, breaking compliance regulations in the process. To find out more about what the process of data exfiltration truly entails, click here for an insightful explanation. 

Detecting data exfiltration requires you to find out where the data is being taken from in the first place and whether or not the culprit is authorized to do so. 

A few ways to do this is by: 

• Implement data loss protection software
• Monitoring network traffic and pinpointing unusual behavior
• Scrutinize employee accounts
• Hire a specialist to help you out

Damage Control

If a data breach has taken place, steps should be taken immediately to control the damage and reduce the potential for further harm and loss. 

Speed is essential throughout the process following the breach, as you will likely need to lock down your network and follow the compliance regulations as soon as possible. 

One of the easiest ways to get yourself out of trouble is to take help from professionals that can help you in this regard. Experts can consult on how to destroy data once you are done using it. This ensures that it does not get into the wrong hands and cause damage to your business. 

Changing your passwords is a must, as is making sure that your employees know the gravity of the situation. Monitoring your network is also essential, as you need to ensure that there are no threats left in the system. 

If you suspect there your bank details have been compromised, contacting your bank and freezing your accounts is crucial. Blocking network traffic entirely should be considered if the situation is difficult. 

Legalities

Depending on where you happen to be in the world, the next steps regarding the legal process can differ widely. 

However, if the data was taken from another country and affected one of your international customers, you will likely still have to contend with international law. 

For example, U.S. companies that store customer data from the E.U. will still be subject to immense fines for breaching GDPR. 

This is why discovering the source of your data leak as soon as possible is a must, because you might be required to report it by law, depending on your location. 

In the U.S., there are many different laws related to data protection and online privacy, so it is worth looking at your individual state regulations to make sure you get yourself pointed in the right direction. 

Saving Reputation

Cyber-attacks can be critically harmful for a company’s reputation, so make sure that you adopt a transparent and honest stance on the matter while keeping your audience updated can help you make repairs.