Essay Example on Organizational Data Breach: Prevention and Control

Introduction

The breaching of data through cybercrimes such has hacking is a common phenomenon in the current day technology. It can be a very disastrous scenario in the organization as it may cost millions of money spend in recovery the damages obtained from the breach (Manworren et al., 2016). Because of this course, organizations are encouraged to take preventive measures and others, which would minimize the impact of a data breach. It should be among some of the organization's priorities to ensure that not only data is protected, but also the employees and the organization's reputation. The unfortunate thing is that some hacks are not preventable. There is enormous research to update the current threats that the organization may face. However, some times, the hackers go ahead of the organization and hack, therefore making prevention almost impossible. In such circumstances, the company should know what to do if it is hacked. This paper aims at discussing the steps to be taken, given that a company is hacked.

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Finding the Cause of the Problem and try fixing it

The first step to take when a hack is discovered to be done is to identify the source of the problem and find ways of solving it. The organization may utilize information technology (IT) professionals in the organization or hire an external expert who would track the hack (Karunakaran et al., 2018). This is because of the assumption that, considering the hack has occurred does not mean that the hack has passed or it that the system is secure. Finding the root cause also would identify if the situation may not be a human error from the internal environment and assumed it is external pirates. Finding the purpose prevents it from happening in the future. IT professionals should find ways to fix the problem as soon as possible when the source of the problem has been identified. The company should also determine if the problem may occur in other businesses or other systems of the organization.

Cyber-security Audit and Inventory Keeping

The company would need to take an inventory of all their data and do a cyber-security audit. The audit would require three things to be involved. The first one would be to conduct a review of all the data in the company. It includes tracking where all files are or where they have been before the hack. The next thing is to follow all the routes that the information has passed, especially the most sensitive ones. The second thing would involve checking for missing files (Dickinson, 2017). This will enable identification of possible sabotage, such as the copying or transferring information to unauthorized users. The third thing is to identify if there was any leak of information to the public from the organization. The chances of retrieving or removing the data may not be possible. However, the company may be able to determine the motives of the hack. The process is extensive and may complex, depending on the inventory control and audit type that it is most applicable for the company.

Damage Control

The third step includes performing damage control. The first is that the company should explain the discovery to the key stakeholders, such as the public and investors before it reaches them under the rug. They should also be informed that the problem is under control. The company may also change passwords and the verification methods as soon as possible to ensure the strength of the security. The company should set aside resources that would be used to handle the situation. This may involve the immediate compensation of individuals who may have been affected by the hack directly. Once the job is in control, it is essential to document everything, to ensure that the subsequent follow up is in order.

Retrain and Refocus

The company needs to review the cyber protocols in the organization and device a way of training the employees within the organization (Chargo, 2018). It will improve the morale of the employee and make them more vigilant in dealing with issues, in the case of occurrence again. It may also require a refocus, which depends on the hack's nature and the company's operations. The IT professionals in the front line should undergo all the rigorous training since the impact is mostly on their department.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hacking leading to a data breach is a severe concern of the organization that needs to be looked into. This is more significant since the evolution and creativity in technology through the internet is evolving, and people are becoming smarter. The data breached would bring benefits to the hackers, depending on the motives they have. The steps provided above are just but one of the ways the organization can respond to a data breach in the organization. The information technology department and personnel are the ones in the organization with the most significant task of dealing with the hack.

References

Chargo, M. A. (2018). You've Been Hacked: How to Better Incentivize Corporations to Protect Consumers' Data. Transactions: Tenn. J. Bus. L., 20, 115.

Dickinson, C. (2017). Handling a hack: Be alert and alarmed!. Journal (Real Estate Institute of New South Wales), 68(5), 32.

Karunakaran, S., Thomas, K., Bursztein, E., & Comanescu, O. (2018). Data breaches: user comprehension, expectations, and concerns with handling exposed data. In the Fourteenth Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security ({SOUPS} 2018) (pp. 217-234).

Manworren, N., Letwat, J., & Daily, O. (2016). Why you should care about the Target data breach. Business Horizons, 59(3), 257-266.