Stop Causing Your Own Data Breaches

When most people think of a data breach, they imagine an external hacker. But in 2025, research shows that a growing number of incidents stem from inside organisations - through mistakes, weak processes, or insider threats.

The hidden risk: insider threats

Not all insider breaches are deliberate. Many result from poor cybersecurity training, careless mistakes, or a lack of system safeguards. Still, intentional acts from disgruntled employees or poorly managed third-party providers remain a major insider threat management concern.

Why internal breaches matter

The cost of insider breaches can rival - or exceed - external cyberattacks. Common impacts include:

• Financial losses and recovery costs

• Damage to customer trust and brand reputation

• Non-compliance fines under regulations like GDPR

• Exposure of intellectual property and trade secrets

• Compromised customer data and privacy

  
  

Real-world examples

2022 - Police records lost: A new employee accidentally deleted millions of files. They had the wrong access permissions, weren’t properly trained, and IT systems lacked adequate data protection backups. Most of the data was unrecoverable.

2021 - Luxury hotel chain hacked: Staff used work devices for social media, and their stolen credentials allowed hackers into the hotel’s systems. Sensitive data such as passports and credit cards were exposed. Poor monitoring delayed detection for months, resulting in significant fines.

How to prevent DIY data breaches

Strong security requires more than technology. Organisations must combine structure, culture, and external oversight:

• Cybersecurity training programs: Educate staff at onboarding, throughout employment, and at exit.

• Governance and compliance: Implement standards like ISO 27001 certification and ISO 27701 to build a resilient framework.

• Independent security testing: Use regular audits and penetration testing to identify and fix weak spots.

  
  

Nothing is foolproof - but preparation works

No company can eliminate data breaches entirely. But with structured training, governance frameworks, and external audits, you can dramatically reduce the likelihood and impact of incidents.

Frameworks such as ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 won’t guarantee safety, but they provide a proven, systematic approach to managing information security and privacy in today’s digital landscape.