How Do Cyberattacks and Data Breaches Begin?

Cyberattacks don’t just happen out of the blue. They are usually carefully planned and executed over time. From small businesses to major corporations, the threat is constant, and the consequences can be devastating. But how do these attacks actually begin, and more importantly, how can you identify them early and stop the attack before it happens?

Breakdown of a Cyberattack

Cyberattacks are often not as dramatic as they seem in movies. In reality, they typically follow a series of stages:

1. Reconnaissance: The first step in a cyberattack is often unnoticed. Attackers gather information about the target by scanning public resources such as social media profiles, employee details, or even open job postings. This phase is called "recon" and is essential for crafting a more sophisticated attack.

   • Example: A 2019 report by Verizon found that 72% of data breaches involved some form of human error, like clicking on phishing links or misconfigured security settings. Verizon 2019 Data Breach Investigations Report

2. Initial Access: Once attackers have sufficient information, they attempt to gain access. This is commonly achieved via phishing emails, exploiting software vulnerabilities, or through unsecured remote access points. In fact, the 2021 IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Index reported that phishing attacks were responsible for 33% of all breaches.

3. Exploitation: After successfully gaining access, attackers exploit vulnerabilities within the system. This could include elevating their privileges or accessing sensitive data. One major form of this exploitation is through malware, such as ransomware, which can lock systems until a ransom is paid.

4. Data Exfiltration: Once attackers have what they need, they exfiltrate sensitive data—customer details, financial records, intellectual property—and send it to their servers. In many cases, the data is sold on dark web marketplaces, which further fuels cybercrime.

   • Statistics: According to the 2020 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, the average cost of a data breach globally reached $3.86 million, with the most significant costs stemming from business disruption and the loss of customer trust.

5. Post-Attack Cleanup: Some attackers will linger in the network for days, weeks, or even months after the breach has occurred. By the time the breach is discovered, significant damage may have already been done, from stolen credentials to leaked personal information.

   
   

Early Indicators of a Breach

The earlier you can spot the signs of an attack, the quicker you can mitigate its effects. Here are a few red flags to watch for:

1. Unusual Network Activity: A sudden surge in data traffic or unexplained access to sensitive systems may indicate that attackers are exfiltrating data or moving laterally within your network. Regular monitoring with a SIEM tool like Azure Sentinel or Splunk can help identify these anomalies early. We monitor these tools for our clients, 24/7.

2. Phishing Attempts: Phishing attacks remain one of the most common ways for attackers to gain initial access. Look for emails that appear out of place, especially those with attachments or links that seem suspicious. A 2021 report by Cofense found that 85% of organizations experienced phishing attacks during that year. We monitor user behavior and user accounts, if an account is compromised due to phishing or other nefarious means, we can respond in real time and then assign that user remedial cybersecurity training to educate, raise awareness and avoid further incidents.

3. Sluggish Systems: A sudden slowdown in your systems could be a sign of ransomware or other malicious software taking hold. The malware could be encrypting files or exfiltrating data, both of which require considerable system resources. Through our platform we offer EDR/XDR that is managed by our SOC for you. This detects, kills and quarantine's these malicious processes in real time, reducing down time and often the need for further and costly incident response, you can keep right on working. The best news? We offer this at a fraction of the cost to hire a single employee... you'd be getting a suite of tools and an entire team!

4. Suspicious User Activity: Unusual login times, failed login attempts, or unauthorized privilege escalations are potential indicators of a breach. CISA recommends reviewing user logs regularly to detect these irregularities. Yep, we monitor that for our clients like a bunch of cyber hawks.

   
   

How to Detect Attacks Early

Implementing a proactive approach to cybersecurity can significantly reduce your chances of falling victim to a cyberattack. Here are key practices to stay ahead of attackers:

• Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): Tools like SentinelOne and CrowdStrike can help identify malicious behavior on endpoints before attackers can exploit vulnerabilities.

• Regular Security Audits: Periodic vulnerability assessments and penetration testing can uncover weak spots before they’re exploited. Use tools like Nessus or Qualys to perform scans. We offer routine scanning for our clients at no extra charge!

• Security Awareness Training: Employees are often the first line of defense. Regular cybersecurity awareness training can significantly reduce the likelihood of a successful phishing attack. KnowBe4 offers extensive resources for training employees to recognize phishing and other social engineering tactics. Yep, we often send mock phishing email to our clients user to determine who is most at risk for falling victim, then assign users additional training, its not enough to raise awareness, they need to know what to look for. Making cybersecurity part of employee culture is what will keep companies safe!

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implementing MFA adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for attackers to gain access even if they have compromised a password. Microsoft and Google offer robust MFA solutions.

  
  

Cyberattacks and data breaches can happen to any organization, but the impact can be minimized by spotting the early warning signs and reacting quickly. By implementing proactive cybersecurity measures, training employees, and monitoring your network continuously, you can reduce the risk and protect your organization from devastating data breaches.

Stay safe, stay vigilant, and remember that early detection is key to keeping your systems and data secure.