Title: An Analysis of Inadvertent Data Disclosure Incidents, 2005-2017

Issue Number: Vol. 6, No. 2
Year of Publication: Jun - 2017
Page Numbers: 84-91
Authors: John W. Coffey
Journal Name: International Journal of Cyber-Security and Digital Forensics (IJCSDF)
- Hong Kong
DOI:  http://dx.doi.org/10.17781/P002272

Abstract:


End-user error remains a very serious security problem. Inadvertent data disclosures account for a large percentage of end-user error. This article reports on a detailed analysis of the unintended data disclosures reported in the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse’s comprehensive database of data breaches since 2005. This database contains descriptions of more than 5400 data breaches that have occurred in the United States in that time span. This article identifies the most common modalities of breach by organization type and provides guidance on particulars of how breaches occur. These data are important because they elucidate the nature and scope of the problem across organization type and they provide details that can yield highly targeted training programs to ameliorate unintended data disclosures.