The process of investigating and assessing the impact of a cybersecurity incident.
Description
Security Breach Analysis involves the detailed examination of a cybersecurity incident to understand how a breach occurred, what vulnerabilities were exploited, and the extent of the damage. This analysis is crucial for organizations to identify weaknesses in their security posture and to prevent future incidents. It typically includes collecting and analyzing logs, reviewing access controls, and determining the type of data that was compromised. Organizations may also assess the response to the breach, including communication strategies and remediation efforts. For instance, after the Equifax breach in 2017, extensive analysis was conducted to determine the root cause and the personal information of approximately 147 million consumers that was exposed. This analysis informed the company's subsequent security improvements and legal actions taken against it. A thorough Security Breach Analysis not only helps in remediation but also aids in compliance with regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA, ensuring that organizations protect sensitive data effectively.
Examples
- The Equifax breach in 2017 resulted in a detailed analysis of how attackers exploited a vulnerability in the Apache Struts framework.
- In the Target data breach of 2013, analysis revealed that attackers accessed payment card data through compromised vendor credentials.
Additional Information
- Security Breach Analysis is a critical component of incident response plans, enabling organizations to respond effectively to breaches.
- Regular security assessments and vulnerability testing can help organizations proactively identify potential security weaknesses before they are exploited.