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Data Loss
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Table of Contents

 

What is data loss?

Data loss refers to the permanent removal or destruction of sensitive information from an organization's control. It can occur from intentional or unintentional actions, technological errors or system malfunctions, or external attacks.
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How does data loss happen? 

Data loss can happen through various means, including:

 

  • Accidental deletion: Employees mistakenly delete important files or data without a backup.
  • Hardware failure: Malfunctions or damage to storage devices can result in the loss of data.
  • Cyberattacks: Malicious threats such as ransomware can encrypt or delete data, making it irretrievable for a targeted company.
  • Natural disasters: Fires, floods, or other disasters can physically destroy hardware and data.
  • Insider threats: Disgruntled employees or individuals with authorized access may intentionally delete or destroy data.

How to protect your organization against data loss

To safeguard your organization against data loss, consider the following measures:

 

  • Regularly back up data: Implement reliable backup systems to ensure that critical data is regularly and securely backed up.
  • Use reliable storage solutions: Invest in reliable hardware and cloud storage solutions to minimize the risk of data loss due to hardware failures.
  • Implement access controls: Restrict access to sensitive data only to authorized individuals and enforce strong password policies.
  • Train employees on data handling: Educate employees on proper data handling procedures, including the risks associated with accidental deletion.
  • Implement disaster recovery plans: Develop and test disaster recovery plans to ensure that data can be recovered in the event of a natural disaster or cyberattack.

Data loss vs. data leakage

While data loss and data leakage are related, they have distinct differences. Data loss primarily focuses on the permanent removal or destruction of sensitive information, whether intentional or unintentional. On the other hand, data leakage refers to the disclosure of sensitive information from an organization's internal systems or networks, most often accidentally but in some cases intentionally. Both data loss and data leakage can result in severe consequences, including those financial, legal, regulatory, and reputational in nature.

Data loss vs. data breach

Also used interchangeably, data loss and data breach carry different meanings. While data loss refers to the permanent removal of sensitive data, a data breach involves unauthorized access to protected data. A data breach can lead to data loss if the stolen information is permanently removed or destroyed. However, data loss can also occur due to other factors such as accidental deletion or hardware failure, without involving unauthorized access.
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How Vade protects against data loss

Vade offers comprehensive cybersecurity solutions to protect against data loss. Our integrated email security suite detects and blocks email-borne cyberthreats that can lead to data loss, including phishing, business email compromise (BEC), and email-based malware. Vade also secures users from browser-based malware attacks that originate from email through Vade Remote Browser Isolation (RBI).

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