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Fear of data breaches: Companies work to bolster cybersecurity
Data breaches are nothing new in the enterprise and cybersecurity sectors. However, this doesn't mean that news of a new widespread breach doesn't strike fear into organizational leaders that fear their firm could be next.
Recent breaches: Typical and accidental
While news of a breach is less surprising these days due to the sheer number that occur, there is continued interest in what happened in the security incident, and what lessons other groups can learn from it. Several breaches have happened recently, painting the picture of the classic data breach, as well as one that was completely accidental.
One such event involved Benjamin F. Edwards & Co., a brokerage firm that recently came forward to announce that an unauthorized third party had gained access to its computer systems in late May. This incident revolves around a typical security breach, where hackers broke into their infrastructure without the company's knowledge. However, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the organization reacted immediately and has yet to find evidence that any content stolen during the attack is being utilized fraudulently.
This type of breach occurs more than the business industry would like. However, some breaches, including the one that happened recently with the World Cup security center, are unique. The Score reported that a picture ran in a Brazilian newspaper which featured a behind-the-scenes look at the security hub. However, the image also included the center's Wi-Fi information - the network name and password - clearly visible in the background. This type of incident shows that even when a group has the best protections in place, accidents can still happen that expose sensitive information.
The industry reacts to breaches
According to Forbes contributor Danny Yadron, corporations everywhere are reacting to the news of such data breaches by racing to shore up their information protection strategies. This includes the safeguarding of not only sensitive details related to customers, but to company-owned intellectual property and industry secrets as well.
Such is the case at Kellogg Co., where administrators are calling upon their dedicated security group to improve the company's security.
"Kellogg's management is especially worried that cyberattackers might try to steal the company's know-how, like the way it puts the 'Snap, Crackle and Pop' in Rice Krispies or the curve in Pringles potato chips, according to two people briefed on its computer defenses," Yadron wrote.
Whatever the situation, organizations across nearly every sector are working to improve their data protection with the use of bolstered safeguards including authentication credentials, monitoring software and encryption.
Protect data in transit with an SSL certificate today.
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