What is data exfiltration?

This article explores what data exfiltration is, how cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities to steal valuable information, and why certain organisations are common targets. Most importantly, it outlines effective strategies to prevent data exfiltration, so you can protect your business.

Table of Contents

• What is data exfiltration?
• Why cybercriminals love data exfiltration schemes
• How to prevent data exfiltration

What is data exfiltration?

Data exfiltration is the deliberate extraction of sensitive data by an external organisation without permission. Data exfiltration occurs after an initial compromise and is often used in combination with phishing and other email-borne attacks.

Common data exfiltration attacks begin with phishing emails to infiltrate the organisation’s system or when an insider emails sensitive data to outside sources without approval. This technique is also commonly used in ransomware attacks for double extortion.

Why cybercriminals love data exfiltration schemes

Two factors make data exfiltration particularly useful for Hackers:

Factor 1: The type of organisations targeted

Threat actors commonly focus their exploits on businesses in essential industries such as healthcare, government, or education because these institutions often store valuable information, cannot afford disruptions to business continuity, and tend to present significant IT vulnerabilities.

Hackers are also focusing their attacks on small-to-midsized (SMB) businesses and managed service providers (MSPs), since both types of organisations lack the cybersecurity resources and budgets of larger enterprises and pose less resistance to a successful attack.  

Factor 2: The significant impact on victims

Data is one of the most important assets to your business. As with anything of value, however, it can also be a serious liability, exposing you to severe and lasting consequences in the event of a successful data breach. Yet, you can thwart data exfiltration attempts sustainably and successfully. By adopting the measures and technologies examined previously, you can also keep your clients, partners, employees, and data safe.

How to prevent data exfiltration

The best line of defense against data exfiltration is AI-powered collaborative email security, which includes advanced threat detection, user awareness training, and a continuous improvement cycle.