The Anatomy of a Near Miss in Data Security

Introduction

“A near miss” in data security refers to an incident that doesn’t result in a data breach but draws attention to possible weaknesses in an organisation’s data protection approach. Such events serve as warning signals and provide crucial lessons without the consequences of a complete data breach.

Defining Near Misses

Near misses can be thought of as “close calls” or incidents that had the potential to become serious but were averted due to timely intervention or sheer luck.

Examples include

An employee identifying and reporting a phishing email before any information is disclosed
A malware attack that is stopped by security software before infecting the network.
A responsible colleague could find a misplaced laptop containing unencrypted personal data before it falls into the wrong hands, averting a potential data disaster.
Or, an IT team might discover a vulnerability in their system during a routine check just before hackers exploit it, allowing the organisation to patch the security hole in time. Each of these examples underscores the importance of vigilance, prompt action, and continuous improvement in data protection strategies to prevent actual breaches.

Learning from Near Misses

Every near miss is an opportunity for learning and improvement. That starts with recording it on your incident form. They provide insights into potential vulnerabilities and help organisations to:

Identify weak points in their security infrastructure.
Test the effectiveness of their incident response plans.
Enhance employee awareness and training programs.

Case Studies

Imagine an employee receiving a phishing email but being able to identify it and report it promptly to the IT department. This incident highlighted the necessity for more effective email filtering and providing staff training on spotting and avoiding phishing attempts. Another scenario could be an unsuccessful login attempt that was prevented by two-factor authentication, demonstrating the importance of having multiple layers of security.

Conclusion

Near misses are a crucial feedback mechanism for any data protection strategy. They allow organisations to preemptively address vulnerabilities and strengthen their defences without the fallout of a data breach. Our next blog will provide a step-by-step guide to reporting data incidents and near misses effectively.

Book your free clarity call today if you need support around incident reporting.