Four Ways to Ensure a Breach

You may be thinking, “That’s an odd title for a blogpost. Most people want to know how not to get hacked.” And while that’s a valid question that most companies would like the answer to, it’s also useful to look at it from the other perspective. You may be surprised to know that some of the measures your company is currently taking (or not taking) are actually asking for a hacker to come in and say hello.

In 2017, the average cost of a data breach in the U.S. was $7.35 million.

Going cheap with physical security
While it’s tempting to spend less, it could cost you in the long run – big time. A recent study showed that the average cost of a data breach in the U.S. was $7.35 million. And when the physical security of that data is dependent upon the cabinet housing it, most companies just can’t afford to (and shouldn’t) go cheap. Keep reading for more on just how significant the physical threat is compared to digital.

Solely focus on digital threats
While there’s no denying that cybersecurity is a critical issue, it’s not the only type of security companies should focus on. Physical security is and will always be a concern for companies with data to protect. By solely focusing on cybersecurity, many companies are leaving their doors wide open (literally and figuratively) to hackers. In fact, unauthorized access from within data centers (both accidental and malicious) accounts for between 9% and 18% of total data breaches, costing more than $400 billion annually. That’s why Great Lakes Case & Cabinet recently launched their SEAL line of enclosures. Fully customizable and nearly impenetrable, SEAL provides the superior security required by agencies and organizations that store critically sensitive data.

Unauthorized access from within data centers costs the global industry more than $400 billion annually.

Settling for off-the-shelf solutions
You’ve heard the expression “one size fits all,” right? More like “one size fits none.” Whether you deploy physical or virtual protection solutions, a common vulnerability is when organizations purchase and install “one size fits all” protections but never fully configure or customize them for their enterprise. Especially with expensive software and “black box” firewall integrations, the cost and headache of vetting options and deciding on a solution is often so much work that IT stakeholders never really follow through to confirm 100% installation success. Add to this the fact that so many non-technical software and security buyers don’t really understand how most products even work and you’ve got a recipe for an 80% effective solution. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned it’s that if the door is left open even a little bit, hackers will kick it open all the way. Sometimes off-the-shelf is what’s needed. Oftentimes, it’s a vulnerability disguised as a deal.

76% of organizations said they experienced phishing attacks in 2017.

Putting employee training on the back burner
From phishing scams to poor passwords, the saying, “Loose lips sink ships” holds true. No matter the cost and scope of your physical and digital security, the fact is that people use your devices, not machines. And people can get tricked. According to Wombat Security’s 2018 State of the Phish report, 76% of organizations said they experienced phishing attacks in 2017. Workforce training is a must for organizations with robust IT infrastructure. But since it’s not a dollar-producing activity, most organizations push it to the back-burner since many haven’t had an issue in the past. This is a ticking time bomb for a hack. If you forget about training your workforce on anything related to passwords, phishing, shared WiFi, remote access, spear-phishing, or anything else, you’re just asking for a hack.

So, if you want to get hacked, follow the above instructions. Or, if you’re committed to keeping your data safe, call Accu-Tech and talk with us about Great Lakes Case & Cabinet. We provide customized solutions to meet your company’s specific needs and, in the long run, keep your data out of harm’s way.