In an increasingly tech-savvy world, industries are moving steadily towards all things digital. Although computers and the internet make everything more convenient and accessible, there are certain dangers associated with them. One such risk is data exfiltration.

What Is Data Exfiltration?

Also known as data theft, data exfiltration is the act of moving sensitive data from an organisation to another unauthorised organisation. This may be accidental or deliberate, and the culprits could either be inside or outside the company. It can happen because of malicious programming, hacking, or social engineering attacks. The culprits may extract usernames, passwords, financial data, client information, and other critical data.

With pirates and hackers having a prominent presence worldwide, cyberattacks and information leaks are some of the biggest threats that companies face nowadays. Big or small, organisations can suffer irreparable damages from just a single breach, which is why cybersecurity remains a crucial aspect that businesses should look into. If you want to prevent data exfiltration, here are some things you can do:

1 – Locate and Secure Highly Sensitive Data

Some of your business’s data assets are more sensitive than others, and it’s imperative that you locate the systems in which they reside. These include passwords, client information, bank details, and other information. Make sure to identify and secure the systems that contain these to mitigate the risk of exfiltration. If for some reason, you cannot secure the data, it’s best to transfer them to a more secure location and delete them from the original one.

2 – Be Wary of Phishing Attacks

Phishing is a social engineering attack that makes use of deception to extract your sensitive information. The culprits may pose as legitimate establishments or websites to trick you into disclosing data. It’s an unfortunately common form of data exfiltration, and you need to keep a lookout for signs of phishing. These can be as subtle as spelling and grammatical errors in websites, texts, and emails. Posing an urgent threat or other negative consequences are also common phishing tactics.

It’s crucial to educate your employees about the threat of phishing and warn them to be on the lookout for suspicious websites, emails, texts, and calls. To maximise your security, you may also invest in anti-phishing solutions for your company. These can help you easily monitor and catch instances of phishing.

3 – Disable Unauthorised Channels and Protocols

You can mitigate the risk of data exfiltration by disabling unauthorised communication channels and protocols. If you need to use them, you can enable them as necessary. This gives you more security than when you leave all channels open all the time. Enabling all entryways to data puts you in danger of accidental and deliberate exfiltration.

4 – Seek the Help of Cyber Intelligence Analysts

Cyber intelligence analysts help detect anomalies in time, count, and patterns in user behavior. They can assist you in monitoring signs and origins of breaches, further enhancing your cybersecurity.

Maximise Your Data’s Security

Your data is among the most valuable assets your company could have, and data exfiltration poses a significant threat to your business’s information. Preventing breaches and attacks requires you to employ various security measures, so it’s best to keep this guide in mind. Identifying your sensitive information, being on the lookout for phishing attacks, disabling unauthorised channels, and seeking the help of analysts can help protect your data from exfiltration.

If you want to maximise your data protection, it’s best to seek the help of professionals. Looking FraudWatch will provide you with the best brand protection services available worldwide, including anti-phishing, anti-malware, and cyber intelligence analysis. Maximise your business’s security—contact us today!