Remote work increases data breach risk, research finds

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Remote work data breach risk overview: 

• Who: Proxy provider Proxyrack recently published research indicating that there is a connection between a rise in remote work and the recent increase in data breaches affecting companies in the U.S. 
• Why: Remote work has increased by 44% in the U.S. in the last five years, while there have been a reported 452 million data breaches in the U.S. in the last three years. 
• Where: Data breaches have affected consumers nationwide. 

Researchers have made a connection between remote work and a recent increase in data breaches affecting businesses and companies across the U.S. 

Recent research by proxy provider Proxyrack found data breaches have become a costly expense for those in the healthcare and finance sector, and that the U.S is the most targeted country in the world for data breaches.

The findings come at a time as remote work has increased by 44% in the last five years in the U.S., with companies moving their operations online and bad actors taking advantage of cyber security flaws.

The U.S. has also been found to be the most expensive place in the world for a company to suffer a data breach, with the average cost of resolving the problem costing upwards of $9 million. 

Research from Proxyrack found that there have been 452 million data breaches in the U.S. within the past three years, meanwhile, including 30 million reported so far in the new year alone. 

Companies can take steps to protect themselves from data breaches, says government advisor

With data breaches on the rise and companies increasingly implementing work-from-home policies, Benjamin Laker, a government advisor and scholar, wrote on Forbes about ways a business can help safeguard itself from falling victim to a data breach. 

In order to protect themselves, Laker said a company should establish data governance protocols, invest in employee cybersecurity training, utilize secure cloud solutions, strengthen their security systems, and ensure they are using the latest technology and software.

“Data breaches can have far-reaching consequences for companies and their customers, so it is essential to take proactive steps to protect data and maintain customer trust,” Lake wrote. 

Among the companies affected by data breaches last year included DropBox, U.S. Bank, Verizon, Microsoft, Bed Bath & Beyond, Michigan Medicine, and Advocate Aurora, among others. 

The data breaches led to the exposure of personally identifying information and/or private health information of consumers across the U.S. 

Have you been impacted by a data breach? Let us know in the comments! 

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