Data exfiltration

Data exfiltration, commonly known as data extraction or data theft, is the unauthorized removal of digital information or data from an organization or individual. It involves a malicious insider or outsider who is able to access and transfer sensitive data without authorization from the rightful owner or user. Data exfiltration can take place through network connections, malicious software, physical theft, compromised accounts, rogue devices or other means. The purpose of data exfiltration is usually to monetize information or to gain an advantage of some kind against an organization.

Data exfiltration poses a serious threat to organizations because the stolen data may contain sensitive customer or employee information, such as Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, and/or proprietary data. This data can then be sold on the black market or used for malicious purposes, including fraud, identity theft, or blackmail. Organizations of all sizes should have safeguards and monitoring in place to prevent data exfiltration, such as two-factor authentication, access logs, strong passwords, and ensuring that all data is encrypted when in transit or at rest.

Data exfiltration is increasingly becoming one of the top cyber security threats facing businesses, governments, and individuals alike. As such, it is important for organizations and individuals to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect themselves from data exfiltration.