Exfiltration is the unauthorized theft or transfer of data from a secure system to an external location. Cybercriminals, insider threats, or advanced persistent threats (APTs) use various methods to exfiltrate sensitive data, including malware, phishing attacks, or compromised accounts. This stolen data can then be sold, leaked, or used for further cyberattacks.
For businesses, data exfiltration poses significant risks, including financial loss, reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and operational disruptions. It is particularly dangerous in industries like finance, healthcare, and defense, where data confidentiality is critical.
To prevent exfiltration, organizations should implement robust security measures such as data loss prevention (DLP) solutions, network monitoring, encryption, access controls, and employee training. Proactive security strategies can help to detect and block unauthorized data transfers before they cause harm.