The proliferation of communication tools within organizations has significantly increased cybersecurity risks, as each new tool adds a potential entry point for attackers. Research highlights that companies using more than seven communication tools face a 3.55x higher risk of data breaches compared to the average, with significantly higher litigation costs. Common vulnerabilities arise from decentralized tool use, such as departments adopting different platforms for the same tasks, casual data sharing over insecure channels, and insufficient governance of sensitive data exchanges.
Data breaches lead to severe consequences, including customer loss, reputational damage, operational downtime, and increased costs for compliance and remediation. The 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report notes that breach costs have risen to an average of $4.88 million, a 10% increase from the previous year, driven by rising business expenses. Additionally, managing diverse tools increases the chances of human error, compliance failures, and overlooked security warnings, compounding the risk.
To reduce risks, organizations should streamline communication tools by cataloging platforms, eliminating redundancies, and consolidating multifunction tools. Ensuring employees have access to tools that meet their job requirements reduces the likelihood of unapproved alternatives being used. This proactive approach simplifies governance, reduces vulnerabilities, and strengthens security.
Gregory, Jennifer. 2024. “Communication Platforms Play a Major Role in Data Breach Risks” Security Intelligence. Nov. 19. READ: https://bit.ly/4ePQicP
