Data breaches are an ongoing concern, even though in the first half of 2022, the number of data breaches in the U.S. were down 4% compared to the same period last year. Still, that’s 817 data breaches through June 2022, affecting 53.4 million people.
Although data breaches and data theft can happen a variety of ways, Sutcliffe & Co. has identified the eight most common causes of a breach.
- Weak or stolen passwords (solution: use complex passwords and never share passwords)
- Application vulnerabilities (solution: keep all software and hardware solutions fully patched and up to date)
- Malware (solution: be wary of emails from unknown senders and don’t click links or attachments)
- Social engineering (solution: if it looks too good to be true, then assume it is)
- Too many permissions (solution: keep it simple; provide permissions only to those who truly require them)
- Insider threats (solution: know who you are dealing with)
- Physical attacks (solution: be vigilant and look for anything suspicious)
- User error (solution: implement relevant and robust processes and procedures)
Insider Threats
The above eight causes are not in rank order, but if they were, it is very likely that insider threats would top the list. Why? Consider this: Between 2018 and 2020, there was a 47% increase in the frequency of incidents involving insider threats, according to the Verizon 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report. Verizon’s research suggests that insiders are responsible for around 22% of data breaches.
Most experts agree encryption is the most effective way to secure sensitive data. Heck, TechTarget recently went as far to write that “even if cybercriminals gain access to the drives or intercept communications to or from them, encryption makes the data unreadable to anyone who does not have the cryptographic key.”
However useful is encryption, there is an additional step that is both affordable and easy to implement: A physical USB port lock, which is a device that fits snuggle into a USB port to render it useless.
Compared to the cost of a data breach – the average cost in 2022 stands at $4.35 million, a record amount, according to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report – the cost of a USB port lock is dirt cheap. For instance, a USB port lock made for professional use by Smart Keeper, considered to be one of the leading physical cybersecurity companies offering such products, is $4. Sure, the key costs another $46, but considering that same key can unlock more than 20 types of port locks – including HDMI, DB9, DVI, and more – the cost of the key is a bargain.
In short, USB port locks are an easy an affordable way to prevent unauthorized users from connecting USB flash drives, external hard drives, smart phones, and any other peripheral device to a computer or laptop USB port.
Top Benefits of USB Port Locks
Still not convinced of a USB port lock’s efficacy. Then consider these four benefits.
- Prevents unauthorized connection of USB devices to computers and laptops
- Protects against data theft
- Keeps dirt and dust from entering unused ports
- Helps achieve CISPA, PCI-DSS, CCPA, NIST, and HIPAA compliance
Unless you want your company to be the next headline of an insider data breach, we strongly urge you to consider adding USB port locks to your cybersecurity defense perimeter.
