--- title: What you can learn from data leaks explained in less than 500 words description: Data leaks remain a hot topic. Even though it often still goes wrong, it's educational. Here we explain four lessons you'll definitely want to learn image: https://www.smartlockr.io/hubfs/things-you-can-learn-from-data-leaks.webp --- [![Smartlockr logo](https://www.smartlockr.io/hubfs/Smartlockr-logo.png) ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en?hsLang=en) - Product - [Product overview ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/product?hsLang=en) - [Integrations ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/integrations?hsLang=en) - Customers - [Case studies ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/blog/tag/casestudy) - Team - [Management ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/teams/management?hsLang=en) - [IT specialist ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/teams/it-specialist?hsLang=en) - [CISO ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/teams/ciso?hsLang=en) - [End user ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/teams/end-user?hsLang=en) - Branches - [Healthcare ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/branches/secure-email-healthcare?hsLang=en) - [Municipalities ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/branches/secure-email-municipalities?hsLang=en) - [Finance ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/branches/secure-email-financial-services?hsLang=en) - [Legal ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/branches/secure-email-legal-industry?hsLang=en) - [Education ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/branches/secure-email-education?hsLang=en) - [Recruitment ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/branches/secure-email-recruiters?hsLang=en) - [Housing associations ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/branches/secure-email-housing-associations?hsLang=en) - [Pricing ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/pricing?hsLang=en) - Resources - [Blog ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/blog) - [Guides ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/resources?hsLang=en#guides) - [Webinars ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/resources?hsLang=en#webinars) - [Videos ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/resources?hsLang=en#videos) - [Partners ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/partners?hsLang=en) - Company - [Contact ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/contact?hsLang=en) - [Support ](https://support.smartlockr.io/hc/en-us?hsLang=en) - [Request more licenses ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/request-more-licenses?hsLang=en) - [Who we are ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/about-us?hsLang=en) - [Jobs ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/careers?hsLang=en) [![Free Consultation](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6122972/846d7346-3e53-4811-b976-8a3dd0a3f9ee.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6122972/846d7346-3e53-4811-b976-8a3dd0a3f9ee) # What you can learn from data leaks explained in less than 500 words [ Smartlockr ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/blog/author/smartlockr) Mar 24, 2021 --- ![What you can learn from data leaks explained in less than 500 words](https://www.smartlockr.io/hubfs/things-you-can-learn-from-data-leaks.webp) Data leaks remain a hot topic. As the latest reports from [DLA Piper](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/blog/biggest-cause-data-leaks-human-errors?hsLang=en) show that the number of data leaks in Europe has increased, we continue to read news reports about incorrectly sent information and hacked systems. As a result, countless people are duped and organizations are faced with possible fines and image damage. Yet, there is hope for the future. Data leaks tell you where the weaknesses are in security systems. You can use this knowledge for your own security strategy. That's why we have four lessons in this blog that you will definitely want to learn. ## 4 Things you can learn from data leaks   - ### Conduct penetration tests regularly to test your own systems Having a secure system is one thing, but knowing whether it is actually doing its job is a whole other story. After all, implementing security is not where it ends. In order to prevent a cyberattack you need to know if your systems are effective. Are you not doing that? Then you might get the answer in a real cyber attack, instead of a simulation. Data leaks occur in many organizations because people often do not know how secure their system really is. By regularly [testing](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/blog/why-pentesting-is-a-must-for-banks-and-financial-services?hsLang=en) and improving your systems, you will hopefully never have to report a real data leak. - ### Train your employees so that they are aware of their online activities Sending data to the wrong person: it remains the number one cause of data leaks. And that is not very strange. Speed, exhaustion and ignorance can lead to mistakes. Involve your employees in your security strategy by [training ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/blog/why-awareness-is-important-for-secure-communication?hsLang=en)them. This way you turn your weakest links into your strongest defense. - ### Schedule software updates Cyber criminals still manage to hack outdated systems. They will go places that you might have already forgotten about. And unfortunately with success. Discover where the weak spots in your systems are. Always perform updates so you know that you are working according to the latest security standards. - ### Encrypt data, both moving and at rest A lot of data is exchanged every day. But is this done the right way? And when this data has found its destination, what happens to it? Cyber attacks on servers: something you hope will not happen, but is a serious risk. This is also a common cause of data leaks. Servers contain a huge amount of sensitive data. If this data is used with wrong intentions, the consequences for many will be huge. By sending and storing your data encrypted, you reduce this risk. With [zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/blog/end-to-end-encryption?hsLang=en), only the sender and the authenticated recipient (s) have access to your data. Even if it is stored on a server, for example from a third party. If an attack is successful, your data will be unreadable for third parties. Staying up to date is the best thing to do. This way you don’t have to worry about a hacker having more knowledge than you do. And they will also try to use this knowledge, but with different goals than those you have in mind.   [![Prevent data breaches](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6122972/ef3f3dfa-44a8-4b12-a27d-49702bff6d54.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6122972/ef3f3dfa-44a8-4b12-a27d-49702bff6d54) [Cyber Security](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/blog/tag/cyber-security) [Prevent Data Breaches](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/blog/tag/prevent-data-breaches) [DLP](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/blog/tag/dlp) [![secure communication](https://www.smartlockr.io/hs-fs/hubfs/secure-communication-bp.png?width=336&name=secure-communication-bp.png)](https://www.smartlockr.eu/en/request-demo?hsLang=en)   ### Whitepapers - [Is it safe to store data in a US-based Cloud provider?](https://www.smartlockr.eu/en/whitepaper-is-it-safe-store-data-us-cloud-provider?hsLang=en) - [Good cop, bot cop: the truth about AI, ML and your privacy](https://www.smartlockr.eu/en/whitepaper-ai-ml-and-data-privacy?hsLang=en) - [The 8 things you can expect from a partnership with Smartlockr](https://www.smartlockr.eu/en/whitepaper-things-you-can-expect-from-partnetship-smartlockr?hsLang=en) - [How to choose the right secure email solution?](https://www.smartlockr.eu/en/how-to-choose-the-right-secure-email-solution-whitepaper?hsLang=en) - [Keep your organization free of data leaks](https://www.smartlockr.eu/en/keep-organization-free-of-data-leaks?hsLang=en) - [Smartlockr & Workspace 365: Prevent data breaches, work and communicate more securely](https://www.smartlockr.eu/en/safe-emailing-and-safe-workplace?hsLang=en) ### Popular Post [ Oops, I sent an important email to the wrong recipient. What now? ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/blog/sent-email-to-wrong-recipient-what-now?hsLang=en) [ Is Microsoft 365 GDPR-compliant? Spoiler alert: no ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/blog/is-microsoft-365-gdpr-compliant?hsLang=en) [ Recall sent emails to protect data: block emails, files and recipients ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/blog/recall-sent-email?hsLang=en) [ Why Pentesting is a must for banks and financial services ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/blog/why-pentesting-is-a-must-for-banks-and-financial-services?hsLang=en) [ Preventing misdirected emails with files and recipients confirmation ](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/blog/confirmation-on-files-and-recipients?hsLang=en) ## Similar posts ### [It's a bird, it's a plane, it's... the truth about Machine Learning!](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/blog/the-truth-about-machine-learning?hsLang=en) Machine Learning uses both our most powerful and vulnerable tool: our data. Discover the truth about Machine Learning and how to warrant your safety. Cyber Security Aug 4, 2021 ### [The Machine Learning lesson no one's talking about](https://www.smartlockr.io/en/blog/the-machine-learning-lesson-no-ones-talking-about?hsLang=en) Every Machine Learning technology can be used for good and bad. To prevent data breaches, we need Machine Learning to enhance human behaviour. 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