→ Understanding Security Incidents
The Critical Role of Human Errors : 8% users = 80% incidents
This article explores three prevalent user behavior patterns that frequently contribute to security breaches. It then delves into practical strategies SME owners and their teams can implement to minimize human errors and fortify their defenses against cyber threats, emphasizing proactive measures and fostering a security-conscious culture within their organizations.
Human errors and mistakes are alarmingly common in cybersecurity incidents, often leading to severe consequences for businesses. A single lapse in judgment or careless action can expose sensitive data, compromise systems, and leave organizations vulnerable to crippling attacks. As the digital landscape expands, addressing this ever-present human factor becomes paramount for safeguarding operations and mitigating risks.
User Behavior Pattern 1
User Behavior Analytics (UBA) and User Entity and Behavior Analytics (UEBA) are technologies designed to analyze user behavior patterns and detect anomalies that could indicate potential security threats [1]. UBA focuses specifically on individual user behavior, while UEBA takes a more comprehensive approach by also monitoring the behavior of non-human entities like servers, devices, and applications [1].
UEBA provides more advanced contextual analysis and automation capabilities compared to traditional UBA solutions [1]. By leveraging various data sources, including log files, network traffic data, security tool and solution data, ERP and HR system data, and threat intelligence data, UEBA can uncover a wide range of security risks [1].
The key benefits of implementing UBA/UEBA in an organization include:
Detecting Malicious Insiders: UBA/UEBA can identify abnormal user behavior that may indicate malicious intent, such as unauthorized data access or exfiltration attempts [1].Uncovering Compromised User Credentials: By monitoring user activity patterns, UBA/UEBA can detect when legitimate user credentials have been compromised and are being misused by threat actors [1].Accelerating Post-Incident Investigations: The comprehensive data collected by UBA/UEBA solutions can significantly expedite the investigation process following a security incident, enabling faster incident response and remediation [1].Preventing Data Exfiltration: UBA/UEBA can identify suspicious data transfer activities, alerting security teams to potential data breaches or unauthorized data exfiltration attempts [1].Flagging Impending System Failures: By analyzing user and entity behavior patterns, UBA/UEBA can detect early warning signs of potential system failures, allowing organizations to take proactive measures to prevent downtime or disruptions [1].
Implementing UBA/UEBA is a crucial step in strengthening an organization's overall data security posture and aligning with the principles of a Zero Trust security model, which emphasizes comprehensive visibility into user, device, and entity behavior to inform access decisions [1].
User Behavior Pattern 2
Human error is the main cause of 95% of cyber security breaches, according to a study by IBM [2]. There are two main types of human error that contribute to security incidents:
Skill-based errors (slips and lapses): These are unintentional mistakes caused by a lack of attention or focus, such as misdelivering sensitive information or forgetting to apply critical security patches [2].Decision-based errors (faulty decisions): These involve conscious decisions that violate security policies or best practices, such as using weak or reused passwords, neglecting software updates, or overlooking two-factor authentication [2] [3].
Common examples of human error that lead to security breaches include:
Misdelivery of sensitive dataPassword problems (weak, reused, or shared passwords)Delayed patching or neglecting software updates [2] [3]Physical security errors (leaving devices unattended or unsecured)
Factors that contribute to these human errors include:
Opportunity: Situations that allow for errors to occur, such as lack of security controls or oversight.Environment: Distractions, time pressures, or conflicting work demands that lead employees to cut corners on security [4].Lack of awareness: Insufficient understanding of security policies, practices, and the potential consequences of mistakes [4].
To mitigate the risk of human error, SME owners and their teams should consider the following strategies:
Strategy
Description
Reduce Opportunities
Implement robust security controls, access restrictions, and monitoring to minimize opportunities for human error.
Foster Security Culture
Promote a culture of security awareness and encourage employees to report mistakes without fear of repercussions[4].
Prioritize Training
Address knowledge gaps through regular security awareness training and education programs[2].
By addressing human error through a combination of technical controls, cultural shifts, and ongoing training, SMEs can significantly reduce their exposure to security incidents and data breaches [2] [3] [4].
User Behavior Pattern 3
Coding errors and vulnerabilities in software and applications are another major source of security incidents caused by human error. Some common types of vulnerabilities include:
Injection Flaws: Failure to properly filter untrusted input can lead to injection vulnerabilities like SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS), allowing attackers to inject malicious commands [6].Broken Authentication: Issues such as leaking session IDs, weak password encryption, and session hijacking can result in unauthorized access to systems and data [6].Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): XSS vulnerabilities enable attackers to inject malicious JavaScript that gets executed by the user's browser, potentially stealing cookies or other sensitive data [6].
To mitigate these risks, it's recommended to:
Use allowlists instead of denylists for input filtering.Rely on well-tested input filtering functions provided by web frameworks.Avoid rolling your own authentication code [6].Sanitize all HTML tags and entities before returning them to the client to prevent XSS attacks [6].
Additionally, a lack of focus on security during software development can lead to code exposure and vulnerabilities. Automated code review tools like Codegrip can help identify and fix security vulnerabilities such as:
Lack of strong encryptionSensitive data exposureMisconfigured system componentsRemote code executionUsing components with known vulnerabilities [7] [8]
Vulnerability Type
Examples
Web Applications
SQL injection, XSS, path traversal
Mobile Applications
Insecure data storage, unintended data leakage
Cloud Services
Misconfigured networks/firewalls, insecure APIs, account hijacking, shared tenancy issues
IoT Devices
Hard-coded credentials, unprotected networks, lack of data protection
AI/ML Systems
Tampering with training datasets, using pre-trained malicious models
[8]
For SME owners and their teams, it's crucial to prioritize secure coding practices, conduct regular code reviews, and promptly address identified vulnerabilities to minimize the risk of security incidents stemming from coding errors and vulnerabilities.
Mitigating Strategies
Businesses can implement several strategies to mitigate the risk of human errors leading to security incidents:
Data Leak Prevention (DLP): Companies can use DLP technology to filter emails and block sensitive information from being sent externally, preventing misdelivery of confidential data [9].Cloud-based Print Management: Adopting cloud-based print management solutions with security controls can help mitigate the risk of leaving sensitive documents on the printer, especially in remote/hybrid work environments [9].Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implementing MFA and providing security awareness training can address poor security hygiene habits like password reuse and sharing, which are major contributors to account takeovers and data exposure [9].Least Privilege Principle: Applying the principle of least privilege, hardening systems, and providing security training for IT/admin roles can help prevent security misconfigurations, a top web security vulnerability [9].
Prevention Strategy
Description
Comprehensive Cybersecurity Policy
Establish clear and comprehensive security policies and procedures, ensuring they are easily accessible to employees
[10]
[12]
.
Employee Training
Develop a comprehensive training program covering essential cybersecurity topics like password security, phishing, BYOD, remote work, and GDPR
[10]
[12]
[13]
. Regularly reinforce security concepts through team activities, physical materials, and internal communication
[12]
.
Restricted Access
Limit user access rights to only what is necessary for their job functions and regularly review and update access privileges
[12]
.
Reporting Channels
Create a safe and approachable environment for reporting potential security incidents or suspicious activities
[12]
. Establish anonymous reporting channels and provide prompt feedback to reinforce the employee's role as a cybersecurity defender
[12]
.
Continuous Assessment
Periodically assess and test employee knowledge to identify gaps and areas requiring more training
[12]
. Use third-party services like security awareness and behavior research (SABR) to identify vulnerabilities stemming from employee behavior and the security culture
[12]
.
For SME owners and their teams, implementing these strategies can help create a security-conscious culture, minimize human errors, and fortify their defenses against cyber threats [10] [11] [12] [13] [14].
In Simple Words
Human error is a major contributor to cybersecurity breaches, with 95% of incidents occurring due to human mistakes, according to the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report [11]. Some common human errors that lead to security incidents include:
Using weak or easily guessed passwords [10] [11]Clicking on malicious links or attachments in emails [10]Neglecting to update software and apply security patches [10] [11]Improper handling or misdelivery of sensitive data [11]Using unauthorized software or applications [11]
The consequences of cyber-attacks caused by human error can be severe for businesses, especially SMEs and their teams. These may include:
Financial losses due to system downtime, data breaches, or ransomware attacksReputational damage and loss of customer trustLegal liabilities and regulatory fines for non-complianceTheft of intellectual property or sensitive customer data [10]Physical damage to infrastructure or operational technology systems
To mitigate the risks posed by human error, SME owners and their teams should prioritize cybersecurity awareness training for employees. This training should cover topics such as password security, identifying phishing attempts, safe browsing practices, and proper handling of sensitive data [10]. Additionally, implementing strong access controls, multi-factor authentication, and least privilege principles can help reduce the potential impact of human mistakes [11].
Preventive Measure
Description
Cybersecurity Training
Regular training on password security, phishing awareness, data handling, and safe browsing practices
[10]
Access Controls
Implement strict access controls and multi-factor authentication to limit potential damage from compromised accounts
[11]
Least Privilege
Apply the principle of least privilege, granting users only the minimum necessary access to perform their job functions
[11]
Software Updates
Establish processes for promptly installing software updates and security patches to address known vulnerabilities
[10]
[11]
Data Handling Policies
Develop and enforce policies for proper handling, storage, and transmission of sensitive data
[11]
By fostering a security-conscious culture, providing ongoing training, and implementing robust technical controls, SME owners and their teams can significantly reduce the risk of human errors leading to costly and damaging cybersecurity incidents [10] [11].
→ FAQs
What constitutes human error in the context of cybersecurity?
Human error in cybersecurity can stem from negligence, a lack of awareness, or the unauthorized dissemination of confidential information, all of which can precipitate data breaches, the theft of intellectual property, or acts of sabotage. Additionally, misconfigurations and poor security practices regarding systems, software, or network setups can introduce security vulnerabilities.
How significant is human error in contributing to security incidents?
Human error is implicated in approximately 52 percent of the foundational causes of security breaches. This statistic is drawn from a study conducted by CompTIA, the computing technology industry association, which surveyed 700 business executives and technology professionals across the United States in January 2015.
Does human error account for the majority of cybersecurity breaches?
Research conducted by Stanford University's Professor Jeff Hancock in collaboration with the security firm Tessian reveals that an astonishing 88 percent of data breaches result from employee mistakes. This finding is echoed by similar research from IBM Security, which suggests that the figure could be as high as 95 percent.
Can you provide an example of how human error can lead to a security issue?
Examples of human error leading to security concerns include accidental actions like clicking on links in phishing emails, succumbing to social engineering schemes, utilizing weak passwords, or overlooking critical security protocols. Such behaviors significantly elevate the risk of cybersecurity incidents.
THE ONEXUS ONE TEAM®
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References
[1] - https://www.immuta.com/guides/data-security-101/user-behavior-analytics/
[2] - https://blog.usecure.io/the-role-of-human-error-in-successful-cyber-security-breaches
[3] - https://blog.google/technology/safety-security/online-safety-tips-cybersecurity-mistakes/
[4] - https://360smartnetworks.com/90-of-security-breaches-are-due-to-human-error/
[5] - https://www.okta.com/identity-101/mistakes-that-lead-to-security-breach/
[6] - https://www.toptal.com/cybersecurity/10-most-common-web-security-vulnerabilities
[7] - https://www.codegrip.tech/productivity/a-look-at-security-vulnerabilities-in-code/
[8] - https://itrexgroup.com/blog/security-vulnerability-types-and-ways-to-fix-them/
[9] - https://www.infosecinstitute.com/resources/industry-insights/four-examples-of-human-error-in-cybersecurity-and-how-to-fix-them/
[10] - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/human-error-cyber-security-ben-brown
[11] - https://cio.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/digital-security/8-common-human-errors-in-cybersecurity-and-preventive-measures/92671523
[12] - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-prevent-human-error-cyber-security-thesecurityco
[13] - https://www.hutsix.io/human-error-in-information-security/
[14] - https://nevadaitsolutions.com/prevent-human-error-threats/
[15] - https://secureframe.com/blog/human-error-prevention
[16] - https://www.strongdm.com/blog/authentication-vulnerabilities