Every day, cybercriminals are seeking new techniques to extract data and infiltrate networks; one of these techniques is data exfiltration. To prevent these kinds of cyber threats, we must learn how data exfiltration works, the methods used to execute attacks, and how companies can secure their network from further data breaches.
Let’s take a closer look.
What is data exfiltration?
Data exfiltration is the term used to describe an unauthorized transfer of data from a computer to another device (either manually or through an automated process) conducted with malicious intent. Data exfiltration can also be used to describe the data extrusion, data leakage, or data theft of sensitive data. If data is successfully exfiltrated, companies face serious reputational and financial damage of up to $4.24 million as a result of insufficient data security operations.
How does data exfiltration occur?
Data exfiltration can happen through outsider attacks and insider threats, both of which are critical risks for any organization.
An outsider attack occurs when a threat actor invades a network to steal user credentials or corporate data. In most cases, cybercriminals gain access by injecting malware onto a device (smartphone, computer, tablet, etc.) connected to the organization’s network. Depending on the kind of malware used, organizations may be vulnerable to an attack that spreads across the entire corporate network, where any sensitive information found is at risk of exfiltration. Other kinds of malware will remain dormant within a network, gradually collecting data over time or until data is exfiltrated subversively.
Data exfiltration can also occur from insider threats. In this form of attack, someone within the organization steals, collects, and sends documents to their email or storage service with malicious intent. Insider threats can also come from uneducated or careless employees who passively see data fall into the hands of cybercriminals and do nothing about it.
Attack techniques for data exfiltration
As mentioned above, data exfiltration occurs via outsider attacks or insider threats. However, there are a combination of methods and techniques that cybercriminals use to successfully exfiltrate data. Here are some of the most common techniques for data exfiltration.
Phishing attacks
Phishing attacks have become one of the most common forms of cyberattacks since the first attack in the mid-1990s. In the case of data exfiltration, phishing is an attack method that leverages social engineering tactics to make the user go against their best interests or trick users into downloading malware or revealing sensitive information (such as usernames or account credentials). Most phishing attacks come in the form of an email and often look legitimate at first glance. However, when the victim unknowingly clicks the malicious link, the gateway to your network opens for cybercriminals to exfiltrate data.
Downloads to unmonitored devices
Cybercriminals can also take advantage of an unknowing employee that grants access to a trusted device or sensitive network information. From there, the cybercriminal can transfer data to an insecure device within the network (like security cameras, external hard drives, smartphones, and tablets). Since most unmonitored devices are not protected by an organization’s security policies or solutions, this makes unmonitored devices an easy target for cybercriminals, as they are able to successfully exfiltrate data time and time again.
Outbound emails
Outbound emails are an attack on an organization’s email systems where cybercriminals steal any information located within those platforms. This can include (but is not limited to) images shared in emails, planning documents, shared databases, and calendars. When an attack on outbound emails is used, cybercriminals can steal any information that is located on these platforms, even the ones found through text and email messages, file attachments, and more.
Human error
There will inevitably be human error within an organization, and cybercriminals target exactly that. Human error occurs from inadequate training or negligence on the part of an employee at your organization. And in many cases, human error occurs when utilizing cloud services. While there are benefits from using these services, authorized users may grant access to cybercriminals without realizing it by signing on in an insecure manner. A result of this human error allows cybercriminals to deploy malicious software and code, submit requests to cloud services with malicious intent, or make changes to the virtual machine itself.
Uploads to external networks
In this data exfiltration technique, malicious intent comes from an insider within the organization. A user with secure access uploads sensitive information and data to external networks, such as a USB drive, hard drive, laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Once the data is extracted, the user can sell or pawn off information to cybercriminals for monetary gain.
How to detect data exfiltration
Detecting data exfiltration is largely based on the kind of technique used by the cybercriminal. As cybercriminals become more sophisticated in exploiting specific vulnerabilities, it becomes harder to prevent an attack. Cybercriminals can often lurk within your network for months or even years without an organization realizing it. To best detect data exfiltration, organizations must leverage tools that identify unusual traffic patterns throughout their network.
Implementing a tool that operates in real-time, such as an intrusion detection system (IDS), is a great way to continuously monitor the unknown and new threats coming from malicious traffic. IDS automatically detects questionable traffic or potential threats, and then an alert is sent to the organization’s security teams and IT department. Intrusion detection systems integrate directly with the network’s software and protect any data within the network or cloud environment. Once a risk has been identified, organizations can categorize and analyze the risk, enabling them to better understand the potential impact these threats may have had on their organization.
Prevent data exfiltration with SecurityScorecard
Failure to properly secure and store sensitive data and information ultimately leads to data exfiltration. However, if organizations do not prioritize data security, cybercriminals will continue to take advantage of vulnerabilities. SecurityScorecard Security Ratings allow organizations to gain an outside-in view of their security posture, identify unknown vulnerabilities, and prevent future threats. Security Ratings offer easy-to-read A-F ratings across ten groups of risk factors including hacker chatter, application security, endpoint security, DNS health, and more.
Interested in learning about the security rating of your organization? Request your free instant scorecard today and gain the insight necessary to prevent data exfiltration for your organization.
