In a recent breach, a company failed to encrypt sensitive data and lacked proper data segmentation, allowing hackers to access 277GB of unencrypted customer data, including Social Security numbers (USA Today).

This points to a systemic issue where many businesses, particularly those growing rapidly or acquiring other companies, struggle to maintain strong security protocols. Without stricter consequences for such negligence, data breaches will continue to put customers at risk.

Keep Systems Updated:

For businesses, especially small to medium-sized ones, staying secure is often as simple as keeping systems up to date. Ensuring automatic patches for software and regularly updating systems are critical steps in maintaining a strong security posture.

When working with third-party vendors, businesses should always review their security policies and ensure they align with industry standards. A lack of documentation on security practices should be seen as a red flag. Staying proactive with these updates can make a significant difference in preventing potential cyber threats.