{"id":8817,"date":"2023-05-22T05:20:09","date_gmt":"2023-05-22T04:20:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intelliworx.wpenginepowered.com\/uk\/?p=8817"},"modified":"2025-03-31T07:54:21","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T07:54:21","slug":"how-data-breaches-happen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intelliworx.co\/uk\/blog\/how-data-breaches-happen\/","title":{"rendered":"How data breaches happen"},"content":{"rendered":"

From small businesses to large corporations, no organisation is immune to the threat of a data breach. In 2021-2022, more than 80% of UK organisations experienced a successful attack<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hackers are constantly finding new ways to infiltrate systems and steal sensitive information, causing significant financial and reputational damage. To protect your business from such attacks, it is crucial to understand how data breaches happen so you can manage a data breach<\/a> if it happens and prevent future attacks.<\/p>\n

Definition of a data breach<\/h2>\n

A data breach occurs when someone gains unauthorised access to confidential, sensitive, or personal information. This can result in files being viewed or shared without permission and used for financial gain. It’s important to note that everyone, from individuals to large organisations and governments, is vulnerable to data breaches.<\/p>\n

Usually, data breaches occur due to weaknesses in either technology or user behaviour. As technology advances, our devices are becoming more interconnected, which also means more opportunities for data breaches. The pace of technological innovation is outstripping our ability to safeguard against cyber threats. A good example of this is the Internet of Things (IoT). Many \u2018smart\u2019 home products are vulnerable to hacking due to security flaws such as a lack of encryption.<\/p>\n

Types of data breaches<\/h2>\n

Cyberattacks occur when individuals or groups exploit security vulnerabilities within technology to access and compromise confidential information. This type of data breach is prevalent, accounting for the majority of reported attacks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Data breaches can be categorised into several types. The most common types of data breaches include:<\/p>\n

1. Hacking<\/h4>\n

Hacking is when a cybercriminal gains unauthorised access to a system or network by exploiting vulnerabilities in the software or hardware. Hackers can use a variety of techniques to gain access, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and brute force attacks.<\/p>\n

2. Malware<\/h4>\n

Malware is malicious software that is designed to infiltrate a system and cause harm. Examples of malware include viruses, spyware, and ransomware. Malware can be spread through email attachments, infected websites, and malicious software downloads.<\/p>\n

3. Social engineering<\/h4>\n

Social engineering is when a cybercriminal uses psychological manipulation to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information or performing an action that is detrimental to the organisation. Examples of social engineering attacks include phishing, spear phishing, and pretexting.<\/p>\n

How do data breaches occur?<\/h2>\n

It is often assumed data breaches happen due to external hackers, but that is not always the case. Data breaches can also occur due to unintentional errors or weaknesses in a company’s system.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how a data breach can happen:<\/p>\n