How Cybersecurity Protects You from Data Leaks in the Digital Age?
In our current digital age, data has become more than just information stored on devices and servers; it has turned into a "strategic currency" used in economic and political extortion.
With the increasing reliance on digital transformation, the risks associated with data breaches and leaks are growing, representing one of the biggest threats facing nations, companies, and even individuals.
A single breach can change the lives of many people and threaten national security.
* Risks of Data Leaks and Their Impacts
Dr. Mohamed Mohsen Ramadan, head of the Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Unit at the Arab Center for Research and Studies, warned that data breaches involve unauthorized access to sensitive information, whether viewing, copying, or sharing it.
He added that this includes personal identification information, financial data, trade secrets, and even sensitive government files.
The risks here are not limited to large companies but also include individuals, government institutions, and national infrastructure.
* A Reality Greater than the Stereotype
Ramadan explained that breaches do not always occur at the hands of external hackers as commonly believed; most are the result of human errors, internal threats, or even weaknesses in technical infrastructure.
Sometimes, a non-malicious employee may access data they are not authorized to view, or they may share files via email or cloud storage without oversight.
Worse still, in some cases, an employee may exploit their legitimate access for personal gain or to retaliate against the organization, which represents a threat that is difficult to detect in its early stages.
* The Most Common Attacks: Phishing and Malware
One of the most common methods in cyber attacks is "phishing," which relies on deceiving users with fake messages or links to steal their personal data.
Other techniques include malware such as spyware, Trojans, and ransomware, which target sensitive data like identity, financial information, and trade secrets.
* Data Leaks: A Threat to National Security
Lieutenant General Abu Bakr Abdel Karim, former Assistant Minister of Interior of Egypt, pointed out that data leaks can have catastrophic effects on institutions and companies, leading to reputational damage and financial losses, in addition to legal penalties.
For governments, data leaks can pose threats to national security, as sensitive military or political information may be revealed that could be used in cyber wars.
Regarding individuals, identity theft and financial fraud represent a long-term risk.
* "The Tsunami of the Digital Age": The Importance of Digital Security Culture
Abdel Karim added that protecting against data breaches should not be viewed as merely a technical task but must be part of a comprehensive digital security culture that starts from the individual up to the highest levels of leadership in institutions.
He emphasized that best practices for data protection include regularly updating systems, implementing advanced encryption, using multi-factor authentication, and training employees on data protection.
He also noted that using tools like password managers and enforcing strict access policies for personal devices can help reduce risks.
* Data is the New Oil
In conclusion, Abdel Karim stressed that in today's world, where wars and economies are managed by data, information leaks are no longer just a technical incident but a strategic event that can alter power balances.
Therefore, investing in cybersecurity must be a top priority, as the saying goes, "data is the new oil," and its leakage could lead to what he described as the "tsunami of the digital age."
From here, we can understand that data protection is no longer a luxury but a strategic security necessity in a rapidly changing world.
