Data Exfiltration definition in Cybersecurity

Data exfiltration refers to the unauthorized copying, transfer, or retrieval of data from a computer or server. This can be done manually by someone with physical access or remotely by an attacker exploiting a security vulnerability.

Notable Incidents

1. The Sony Pictures hack in 2014, resulting in the leak of personal information, emails, and film data.
2. The Anthem Inc. data breach in 2015, where attackers exfiltrated personal data of millions of customers.

How to Protect Your Network against Data Exfiltration

1. Implement data loss prevention (DLP) tools.
2. Monitor and control outbound traffic through network segmentation and egress filtering.