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Data leak detection software identifies an organization’s data leaks – the accidental public exposure of sensitive data due to software misconfigurations and poor network security. Data leaks quickly become data breaches when cybercriminals identify and exploit this exposed data.
The following scenario demonstrates the progression of a cyberattack facilitated by a data leak attack vector:
Stage 1: An e-commerce company operates its website using the unsecured HTTP protocol, exposing customer transaction details.
Stage 2: A hacker identifies this vulnerability and undertakes a man-in-the-middle attack, intercepting customer contact details, credit card numbers, and other personal data.
Stage 3: The hacker posts this data for sale on a dark web forum.
If the e-commerce company was aware of this exposure, they could have patched it immediately, potentially avoiding a serious data breach. Data leak detection software fills this knowledge gap by proactively identifying vulnerabilities that lead to data breaches. Organizations can then prioritize their remediation workflows based on the severity of these threats.