What can we learn from the Equifax breach?

Last month, social media platforms were saturated with statements and reports referring to the Equifax breach that was discovered on July 29. Most people are aware that 143 million people were impacted by this event. As more and more statements surface, there’s a lot to glean from what took place at Equifax. Listed below are four areas to concentrate on as we all take steps moving forward.

Protection

First and foremost, it’s important to do your homework and know how to protect your company from a data breach. Prioritizing private information protection should be at the top of your to-do list, as well as making sure your accounts are being monitored. Make a point not to let any accounts go unnoticed and unattended. There are many ways to keep your company protected and many data breach best practices to follow. When it comes to accounts, remain diligent with password changes, validating order information and monitoring transactions.

Vulnerability

It’s a scary thing but nobody is ever completely safe from an intrusion of some form. Take the time to learn where your company may be vulnerable and ways to increase security. A breach can take place in no time, and cause a lot of damage as it remains unnoticed. If you cannot see it, it is likely that you will not detect it. Visibility continues to be key – in detecting threats and protection.

Intrusion

Speed matters when it comes to detecting an intrusion; it’s important to be timely. The earlier an intrusion is detected, the more likely you are to have an opportunity to respond properly. Detecting an intrusion can be comprised of three steps – developing a baseline for normal activity, keeping intruders from getting out and making training a priority. There are a variety of intrusion detection systems out there and it may not be a bad idea to invest in one.

Reaction

Your reaction to any data that has been compromised is extremely important. The eyes of the public will be on you and it’s crucial to have a plan in place. When all eyes were on Equifax, it wasn’t hard to see the tension between Equifax and its audience. Of course, the response depends on the incident, but transparency and communication are valuable approaches.

Overall, it is never a bad idea to educate yourselves and your loved ones. Brainstorming sessions are a great way to prepare for the impact of a data breach as a team. You can refer to our blog for more information about data breaches and what we have observed. Do you have any takeaways from the Equifax breach? Comment below!