Anatomy of a Data Breach

Abstract

ABSTRACT In the wake of undiscovered data breaches and subsequent public exposure, regulatory compliance and security audit standards are becoming more important to protecting critical assets. Despite the increase in the number of data breaches via illicit means, internal controls seem to fail when it comes to the assurance that critical assets remain uncompromised. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, 336 breaches have been reported in 2008 alone, 69% greater than this time last year1. This is a concern for security teams, especially since a lack of dedicated resources exists to combat and revert this trend. This is significantly important to take into consideration when going through the formal audit process to certify adherence to Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), Graham Leach Bliley (GLBA), Payment Card Industry (PCI), or the Health Insurance and Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). With the significant increase in data exposure corporations cannot afford to take shortcuts when it comes to information assurance. Otherwise it is almost certain that one will become a victim of a serious exposure of sensitive information. This paper will explore the several disconnects between established and accepted security audit framework and the variable of hidden infections.