What Are the Common Causes of Data Breaches?

Data breaches typically stem from a combination of human mistakes, technical oversights, and deliberate attacks. One of the most common contributors is simple human error. Employees might accidentally send sensitive information to the wrong person, store data in unprotected folders, or misconfigure access settings that allow unauthorised individuals to view or download restricted content. Even physical mishandling, like losing laptops, phones, or USB drives containing confidential information, can lead to serious security incidents.

Another widespread vulnerability lies in weak or compromised login credentials. Many breaches occur because passwords are too easy to guess, reused across systems, or stolen through phishing scams. When attackers gain access to valid login information, they can often move through systems unnoticed, especially if companies aren't enforcing strong authentication measures or monitoring privileged accounts closely.

Insider threats also play a significant role. Not all data breaches involve outside hackers; some are caused by people inside an organisation, either through malicious intent or carelessness. A disgruntled employee might deliberately leak data, while another might unknowingly expose it by mishandling files or ignoring security protocols. In both cases, inadequate oversight and poor access control increase the risk.

Phishing and social engineering attacks continue to be a major issue, especially as attackers grow more sophisticated in their tactics. Fake emails or calls can trick even well-meaning staff into revealing passwords or clicking on dangerous links. These attacks often target the human element, bypassing technical defences entirely.

Outdated or unpatched software introduces another layer of risk. When systems and applications aren’t updated regularly, they may contain known vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit with ease. Similarly, malware and ransomware attacks remain a persistent threat, often entering networks through infected files or websites and either locking up systems or quietly harvesting data.

Physical theft shouldn’t be underestimated either. Devices like smartphones, laptops, and hard drives often contain large amounts of sensitive information. If stolen or misplaced, these devices can become a goldmine for attackers, especially if they aren’t encrypted or password-protected.

Breaches can also be traced to weaknesses in third-party vendors or supply chain partners. Even if a company maintains strong internal controls, it’s still vulnerable if one of its service providers has lax security practices. In some cases, attackers will target smaller partners specifically to gain access to larger organisations through backdoor routes.

Finally, the rise of cloud-based services has introduced new risks, particularly when systems are set up without proper security configurations. If privacy settings are misconfigured, it can result in sensitive data being exposed to the public without the company even realising it.