All Aboard the Offboarding Express
A recent major data breach brings with it a crucial lesson to be learnt.
A couple of weeks ago, reports of a major data breach hit the news.
Cyber attacks are happening all over and at an alarming rate. We have grown well accustomed to hearing about them so this breach comes as no surprise, but it should still be unnerving, nonetheless.
In this instance, the hacker gained access to highly sensitive customer data, including names, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers. But the way in which this data was obtained was particularly interesting and highlights an integral learning point for all businesses, regardless of company size, location or industry.
The breach occurred when the hacker gained access to internal company systems using an old admin account that had lay dormant following a staff member leaving.
Staff turnover is a routine part of business operations. But the process of correctly offboarding a user from company systems following them leaving their post is significantly important from a security standpoint, and this data breach perfectly illustrates just why that is.
It can be a lengthy administrative process of revoking access to systems, deleting email accounts and suspending licenses. But if you’re a Nitec customer, the good news is that we remove the hassle for you using the offboarding tool in the Nitec Portal. That’s not the main takeaway of this article, but we thought it was a good opportunity for a shameless plug nonetheless! On a serious note, though, the tool is there for you to use as a Nitec client, complete with a quick and easy ‘how-to’ tutorial, so take advantage of it.
At the end of the day, this data breach serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of properly offboarding employees to maintain robust cybersecurity. While cyber-attacks have become a common occurrence, each incident highlights the need for vigilance in protecting your data. This particular breach illustrates a crucial vulnerability that is easily overlooked by so many businesses. So next time a staff member moves on, make sure to thoroughly follow user offboarding procedures to avoid leaving your business vulnerable to a cyber-attack.
Remember, proactive steps today can prevent costly breaches tomorrow.
To find out more about the Nitec Portal, please email solutions@nitec.com.