Why Breaches Happen Despite Cybersecurity.

Despite all of a company's best efforts, cybersecurity breaches can still happen due to human error, holes in your security, or the presence of advanced AI agents. It's important to understand why these breaches still occur so you can do your best to prevent them.

According to Security.org, cybercrime related to email accounts in 2024 cost businesses more than $90,000 per incident on average. For a small business owner, that could cripple the investment or even cause it to collapse entirely. Despite the continued occurrence of cybercrime, there are some preventative measures you can take to protect your business and clients.

Why Do Cybersecurity Breaches Still Happen?

One of the biggest misconceptions about cybersecurity is that implementing enough security tools makes a company immune to attacks. In reality, no enterprise cybersecurity system can guarantee that a breach will never occur.

Modern businesses have more complicated technology environments. Employees may access corporate systems from laptops, smartphones, and cloud applications. Companies also rely on third-party vendors, software providers, and contractors.

Every connection or application can introduce another security vulnerability. On top of that, attackers continually change their methods.

Human error is another major factor. An employee could accidentally disclose credentials or click a convincing phishing link. Even well-trained employees can make mistakes.

What Are 80% of All Data Breaches Caused By?

It's important to note that cybersecurity breach statistics vary depending on the source, year, and industry. With that said, stolen, reused, or otherwise compromised credentials remain one of the most important contributors to cybersecurity incidents.

Passwords can provide direct access to legitimate accounts. An attacker who obtains an employee's username and password may be able to bypass some traditional security controls while appearing like a legitimate user.

Phishing uses fake messages or websites to trick people into sending confidential information. An employee may think they're sending their username and password to someone on their IT team, when it's actually someone outside of the company.

Security Vulnerabilities Create Opportunities

Every piece of technology has the potential to contain weaknesses. Software may contain coding errors, operating systems could lack security updates, and cloud environments may introduce vulnerabilities.

Attackers always search for these weaknesses. Once a vulnerability becomes known, organizations jump at the opportunity to exploit it.

If your company has been expanding its hardware and software, it's important to find an IT provider who can keep up. Some signs that you need to shop around include slower response times, recurring technical issues, and unclear IT strategies.

The Human Element of Cybersecurity

Technology cannot prevent human mistakes.

Employees can have a wide variety of touchpoints, including customers, vendors, and applications. Attackers exploit these interactions through social engineering.

A fraudulent email may imitate an executive asking for a payment. A fake login page can resemble a familiar cloud service. Even a sticky note on a laptop screen in a cafe can expose your company to a cyber attack.

Third-Party and Supply Chain Risks

A company does not have complete control over every organization connected to its systems.

Businesses often use cloud providers, payment processors, and software vendors, amongst other products. These relationships can improve efficiency but also create additional cybersecurity risks.

Third-party risk management needs to be part of an organization's security strategy. Evaluate vendors, establish security requirements in contracts, and watch those connections.

What Country Is Number One in Cyber Crime?

There is no universally accepted answer to which country is "number one" in cybercrime, whether in terms of victimhood or committing the crimes. However, the Global Organized Crime Index placed Israel, Korea, and Russia tied for the top spot for cyber-dependent crimes in 2025.

It's also important to distinguish the location of the attacker, the location of the criminal infrastructure, and the country associated with a particular cybercrime group.

Why Incident Response Matters

Even the strongest cybersecurity services should prepare for the possibility of a successful intrusion. Incident response involves:

• Identifying a breach
• Containing the problem
• Investigating it
• Recovering from the security attack

Without a plan, employees may waste valuable time figuring out what to do while an attacker continues operating inside the environment.

After the incident, the focus should fall on future breach prevention. Organizations should start with strong fundamentals. These include keeping software patched, protecting administrator accounts, and encrypting sensitive information.

Businesses should also monitor their environments constantly. A security control that worked yesterday won't always work. The goal is to make future attacks harder to execute and easier to recover from.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Company Ever Be Completely Protected From a Breach?

No. Cybersecurity can dramatically reduce risk, but no organization can guarantee that an attack will never succeed. The objective is to make successful attacks more difficult and minimize their impact.

Do not trust an IT provider that promises complete protection and immunity from cyberattacks.

How Often Should a Business Conduct a Security Assessment?

The appropriate frequency depends on the organization's size, industry, and technology. They should also take into account regulatory requirements for that industry.

Many businesses benefit from regular assessments combined with continuous vulnerability monitoring.

Are Small Businesses Really Targets for Cybercriminals?

Yes. Small businesses often appear as attractive targets because they may hold valuable customer information while having fewer security resources than large enterprises. Automated attacks can also target businesses indiscriminately.

What Should a Company Do After Discovering a Breach?

The organization should activate its incident response procedures, contain the affected systems, and preserve relevant evidence. They'll then need to determine the scope of the incident and involve the appropriate security, legal, and communications professionals.

Stop Cyberthreats Before They Start

Cybersecurity breaches aren't an inevitability, but they're also not something you can completely block out. Instead, it's your company's duty to prepare for the worst and protect your customer and client information as much as possible. Train your employees against threats like phishing attempts and make sure your IT services keep all of your security protocols up to date.

EMPIST has over 26 years of experience protecting businesses with managed IT services and security built for modern threats. We offer assistance with cloud products, AI automation, and much more. Reach out to book a free strategy session and learn more about how we can help you.