Where are data breaches likely to occur in 2015?

Each year the annual data breach industry forecasts come out, indicating where experts feel public data breaches are headed for in the coming year. This can help identify security concerns for businesses and individuals alike. Data breaches today are more than just an individual problem, it’s more than just an IT issue today.

Healthcare data breaches are expected most of all, an expected increase due to the increase in use of electronic medical records (EMRs). The introduction of wearable technologies as well has impacted the healthcare system and possibility of data breaches.

The challenge of securing a significant amount of the information which is incredibly sensitive stored on a network is one many aren’t up to task for. A recent report estimates that the potential cost of a breach in the healthcare industry could be as high as $5 billion annually. Data security is big business today.

Today consumers aren’t confident in the ability to keep information secure. Healthcare organizations have to step up their game if they want to be able to keep information safe. Being prepared and using best practices to ensure servers are safe and patient information is kept out of the wrong hands is key.

In Experian’s Data Breach Industry Forecast they alluded to the issue of credit card data breaches and that organizations are focusing too much on external attacks. Internal attacks are significantly a larger threat, when they are focused on cloud-based services and data therein.

Coming up in 2015 retailers must upgrade to point-of-sale (POS) systems which are capable of processing “chip-and-PIN credit cards”, a much more secure card which is harder to replicate and perpetrate credit card fraud.

There’s no doubt, expert’s state, that data breeches will be much more signifgant in 2015 and they are expected to grow more in time. The rise in actual breaches is also proportionate the amount of technology now available to find when breaches have occurred. Over time more organizations are aware of the risk their business has, and are putting individuals in place to realize when fraud is happening in the first place.

As consumers it’s important to understand the risks involved and as an organization understand where your business may need added protection. Companies that provide data recovery services are extremely helpful to businesses and individuals in two ways. First, they provide necessary knowledge needed to help secure your own personal information or within your organization. Second, when data is destroyed or security must be addressed companies like these are available to help in all facets.

In 2015 everyone should be prepared to up the ante when it comes to keeping data secure. From your own personal data on your home computer to the data at your organization, it’s time to make it a priority. What will you do to keep your data private in the coming year? Share with us in the comments below.

This article is published in collaboration with SAP Community Network. Publication does not imply endorsement of views by the World Economic Forum.

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Author: Tim Cohen writes for SAP.

Image: A hand is silhouetted in front of a computer screen in this picture illustration taken in Berlin. REUTERS/Pawel Kopczynski