The adoption of IGA solutions exposes organizations to the risk of data breaches where confidential, sensitive, or protected information is accessed or disclosed by unauthorized parties. Data breaches can have severe consequences for organizations, such as reputational damage, financial losses, legal liabilities, and regulatory penalties. Data breaches can also harm the individuals whose data is compromised, such as customers, employees, or partners, by exposing them to identity theft, fraud, or other malicious activities.
According to a recent report by Thales, 45% of businesses have experienced a cloud-based data breach or failed audit in the past 12 months, up 5% from the previous year. The report also reveals that 66% of organizations store 21%-60% of their sensitive data in the cloud, but only 25% can fully classify all data. Moreover, 32% of respondents admitted to having to issue a breach notification to a government agency, customer, partner, or employees.
Common causes of data breaches involving IGA solutions include human error, malicious insiders, and external attackers. To prevent or mitigate such breaches, organizations should implement best practices. Data discovery and classification help identify and label sensitive data, aiding in prioritizing protection efforts. Data encryption and key management ensure that data remains secure, whether at rest or in transit. Data minimization and retention strategies reduce exposure and ensure compliance with data protection regulations. Additionally, access management and monitoring, involving policy definition and activity tracking, help detect and respond to unauthorized access and potential violations.
Data breaches are a nightmare scenario for any organization that handles sensitive data. Organizations can manage their identities and access privileges more efficiently and securely with IGA solutions, but they also introduce new challenges and risks. Human oversight and governance remain essential to ensuring that IGA solutions serve the public interest and don’t overrule human values.
