Creating a Data Exfiltration: Alongside pandemics, recessions, and labor shortages, the modern business owner already has a plateful of priorities, so cyber security might not be high on the agenda for many.
However, it should be an extremely dangerous and fairly common threat to companies everywhere, particularly in the wake of a mass digital transformation.
One such crime is data exfiltration, a tricky subject as often the threat comes from within the company.
Developing a policy can be a good way to ensure you have a set of protocols to follow should you find your company becomes the unfortunate victim of cyber-crime. Here are some tips to hopefully help you find out how.
Recognize Communication Channels
By recognizing your network’s communication channels, you can make a note of what you need to restrict following the detection of data loss.
To act quickly (and acting quickly is a must) you need to ensure that you acknowledge potential breach points in your network. You may want to click here to learn more about detecting data exfiltration and how exactly it can take place.
Possible channels worth considering might include:
- Company emails
- Fax machines (old school but still a vulnerability)
- Your company website
- Social media
- Remote devices that operate on the company network, such as phones and tablets
- The intranet
Assign Roles
Creating a data loss response team that can act fast in the event of a successful breach is essential.
It not only allows you to save time in securing your network, but it can help you get to the bottom of the issue as soon as possible.
Assigning roles to various team members can be a good way to create a cohesive security detail, so you may want to think about appointing people to the response team from a range of departments to cover all of your bases.
Write a Customer Statement
Informing your customers about your data breach is required by law in many places, but even if it is not, reaching out to them anyway is a good way to start strengthening bonds in a time of turmoil.
Failing to do so can damage your reputation, make your brand look untrustworthy, and potentially have some extremely harmful legal repercussions should you need to engage in a legal dispute.
Your statement should reassure the customer, let them know what you are doing to fix the issue, and how your company will be more secure in the future.
The Recovery Process
Sometimes, acts like data exfiltration are difficult to preempt, particularly when the issue comes from a single actor like a disgruntled employee.
However, it is still possible to reduce this risk, so it should be addressed in the recovery process.
The recovery process should include your timeline for getting back up and running, how you aim to resolve the data breach, and any extra security methods you aim to put in place for the future.
Sourcing an expert cyber security company to consult should the worst come to the worst can also enable you some extra support in your time of need.