The Most Common Causes of Data Breaches in 2025—And How to Prevent Them?

What do Tesla, Okta, and IBM have in common? All were victims of major data breaches, despite having world-class security teams.

Okta’s breach exposed customer credentials. Tesla dealt with insiders leaking sensitive data. IBM’s cloud vulnerabilities were exploited, shaking client trust. Even leading organizations face security challenges, underscoring the need for strong data protection across all businesses.

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By 2025, cybercrime is expected to cost the world $10.5 trillion annually. It’s not just an IT problem, it’s an economic threat. And if you're not prepared, your organization could be next.

In this article, we’re going to cover:

• What a data breach is.
• The biggest causes of breaches in 2025.
• Best practices to avoid them. 

Let’s start with the basics.

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TL;DR 

• Cybercrime damages are projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, making data breaches a critical economic threat for organizations worldwide, affecting operations, trust, and finances.
• The most common causes of data breaches in 2025 include social engineering/phishing attacks, weak authentication practices, insider threats, malware/ransomware, unpatched software, access control breaches, business email compromise, DDoS attacks, supply chain attacks, and keyloggers.
• Phishing remains the top attack vector, enhanced by AI-driven personalization, and can be mitigated by advanced email filters, employee training, and enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Weak authentication and excessive permissions are major vulnerabilities; prevention includes enforcing MFA, password managers, role-based access control, just-in-time access, and regular audits of user permissions.
• Best practices to prevent breaches emphasize layered security: implementing MFA broadly, adopting the principle of least privilege (PoLP), automated patch management, continuous employee training, endpoint protection, and monitoring vendor security to reduce risks associated with SaaS and interconnected systems.

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1. What is a Data Breach?

A data breach occurs when confidential or protected data is accessed, taken, or exposed by an unauthorized person. This can be sensitive customer details, proprietary information, or even internal employee records.

Breaches can happen from outside attacks, like phishing or malware, or internal failures, like misconfigured software or credential misuse. Now, in the SaaS era, where companies use dozens of cloud-based tools, the area for breaches has only expanded.

For example, if a vendor app like Slack is granted more permissions than necessary, or if terminated employees still have access to Google Workspace, your organization becomes vulnerable without any active intrusion.

In our daily interdependent environments, even minor slip-ups can trigger massive repercussions. Data breaches don’t just cost money, they cost reputation, trust, and legal safety.

To fully understand how you can avoid breaches, you first need to know what’s likely to cause them in the first place.

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2. The Most Common Causes of Data Breaches in 2025

The rise of SaaS adoption and digital interconnectivity means there are more ways to breach than ever. In the following, we break down the top breach types hitting businesses in 2025, with examples and tips for mitigation.

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A. Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks

Phishing remains the No. 1 attack vector in the world, and it’s not hard to see why. Cybercriminals create fraudulent emails, text messages, or phone calls that mislead victims into disclosing sensitive information. 

With advances in artificial intelligence, these attacks now have incredible personalization. For example, a phishing email that pretends to be from Google Meet might bypass security filters and successfully deceive employees into surrendering their credentials.

a. How to prevent it:

• Implementing advanced email filters and anti-phishing tools.
• Develop and train employees with real-time simulations. 
• Enforce MFA to prevent the use of stolen credentials.

Weak authentication opens a wide door for attackers. In the modern security landscape, relying on usernames and passwords alone is a significant vulnerability. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a culture of vigilance within the organization.

A major way to protect against phishing is continuous training for employees, like simulated attacks that mimic real-world threats. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and monitoring for suspicious email behaviors helps to mitigate the risk of a successful phishing attempt. 

B. Weak Authentication Practices

A simple password is no longer enough to keep sensitive accounts safe. Weak authentication practices, such as reusing passwords across platforms or not implementing 2FA, make it far too easy for cybercriminals to gain access. 

This issue is especially alarming for SaaS platforms, such as Slack, Google Workspace, or Office 365, where a compromised single login can lead to vast amounts of company data.

a. How to prevent it:

• Enforce the use of password managers and 2FA
• Use Single Sign-On (SSO) and identity federation.
• Audit and rotate credentials frequently.

Weak authentication is like a wide-open door for attackers. Using only usernames and passwords as part of the modern security strategy is a gaping security hole. This works to combat unauthorized access as it requires several layers of verification, such as entering a one-time code sent to a device, preventing an attack. 

This not only eliminates the human factor from setting passwords (as many use the same password for multiple accounts), but also prevents brute-force software and dictionary attacks. Additionally, the continuous monitoring and rotation of credentials reduce the attack surface, meaning that even if credentials are compromised, the opportunity to exploit them is limited.

C. Insider Threats

Not every data breach comes from outside actors; insider threats, whether intentional or accidental, are a big risk. Disgruntled employees, contractors, and even unintentional data breaches caused by ignorance can still lead to significant harm.

Examples include downloading sensitive customer lists to a personal device or maintaining access to critical platforms like Dropbox or Salesforce after leaving the company.

a. How to prevent it:

• Automated offboarding and role-based access controls.
• Monitor user behavior for unusual activity.
• Privileged access should be limited with a least privilege approach.

Insider threats can be especially difficult, as the attacker usually has valid access to the systems involved. To mitigate these threats, you must enforce strict access control. 

Role-based access limits employees to access only the information they require to perform their tasks, while pre-configured offboarding processes ensure access is revoked quickly when someone leaves an organization. 

D. Malware and Ransomware

Ransomware attacks have evolved significantly. Nowadays, attackers not only encrypt files but also steal sensitive information, which they then leak to pressure the victim or company into paying the ransom. 

For instance, if an employee clicks on a malicious link in a Slack message, it can trigger a malware infection that spreads throughout the entire network, affecting shared drives and any SaaS applications connected to the company’s system.

a. How to prevent it:

• Use endpoint and EDR solutions.
• Restrict executable downloads and limit administrative rights.
• Regularly back up data and test recovery plans.

While malware and ransomware can lead to serious financial losses, operational disruptions, data loss, and reputational damage, they cause can be even worse. Organizations need to have robust endpoint protection, like EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response), to detect and eliminate threats before they can inflict harm. 

Reducing the risk of malware infections can also be achieved by limiting user permissions and blocking the download of unverified executable files. Additionally, conducting regular backups and testing recovery procedures ensures that companies can quickly restore operations after an attack.

E. Unpatched Software and System Weaknesses

Outdated software systems are prime targets for cybercriminals. In recent years, it has become widely recognized that many organizations delay patching software vulnerabilities, especially in third-party applications. 

Cybercriminals know that unpatched systems are weak links in a network, and they often exploit these known vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access. A notable example is the Log4j vulnerability discovered in 2021, which left millions of systems worldwide exposed due to delayed patching.

a. How to prevent it:

• Automate Patch Management for Systems and SaaS Applications.
• Use vulnerability scanners to identify gaps early.
• Maintain a centralized inventory of all tech assets.

Hackers take advantage of unpatched software because these vulnerabilities remain open. To combat this issue, organizations should adopt an automated patch management system to ensure timely software updates. 

Additionally, vulnerability scanners are essential for identifying outdated applications and operating systems that require patches. Maintaining a comprehensive inventory of all technology assets allows businesses to monitor what needs updating and ensures that no critical systems are overlooked.

F. Access Control Breaches

Having excessive permissions can create unnecessary security risks. When employees have more access to systems and data than they actually need, it increases the chances of breaches significantly. This is especially true in SaaS-heavy environments.

For instance, an HR employee might have single sign-on access to platforms like Salesforce or financial systems that are irrelevant to their role, potentially giving them admin rights they shouldn't have.

a. How to prevent it:

• Regularly audit user roles and permissions.
• Implement Just-In-Time (JIT) access for tasks that require elevated privileges.
• Monitor actual usage to rightsize access levels.

Poorly managed permissions can lead to access control breaches. To mitigate this risk, companies should routinely assess access roles and adopt the principle of least privilege, ensuring that employees only have access to what is necessary. 

Just-in-time (JIT) access management allows employees to temporarily elevate privileges for specific tasks, reducing the risk of long-term exposure. Additionally, monitoring user behavior can provide insights into whether access levels align with actual job responsibilities, helping to prevent privilege creep.

G. Business Email Compromise (BEC)

BEC is one of the most dangerous types of cybercrime, especially when it comes to our finances. In a BEC attack, cybercriminals either spoof or take over the email account of a company leader, tricking employees into sending money or sensitive information. 

According to the FBI, BEC scams have become a major threat to businesses in 2024, resulting in losses of $2.7 billion.

a. How to prevent it:

• Implement domain spoof protection (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
• Use anomaly detection to identify suspicious email behavior.
• Train finance and HR teams to independently verify requests.

BEC attacks can be very deceptive, making them hard to recognize. Organizations can protect themselves by using domain spoofing protection systems like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to ensure normal email communication.

For instance, tools can identify harmful actions, such as emails asking for unusual transfers or sensitive information. It’s also crucial to train employees, particularly those in finance and HR, to verify any suspicious requests directly before taking action.

H. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks flood systems with enormous amounts of fake traffic, making them unreachable. While DDoS attacks don’t usually cause data breaches directly, they can help attackers mask more serious threats or highlight weaknesses in system availability. 

a. How to prevent it:

• Utilize cloud-based DDoS protection services like Cloudflare or AWS Shield.
• Implement rate limiting and block suspicious IP addresses.
• Ensure system redundancy and keep an eye on traffic patterns.

DDoS attacks can severely impact an organization’s ability to serve customers and operate effectively. Cloud-based DDoS protection services are scalable, meaning they can handle significant traffic surges. 

Rate limiting and IP blacklisting are effective methods for managing traffic and securing APIs. Additionally, incorporating redundancy into the system and continuously monitoring traffic can help detect and mitigate DDoS attacks.

I. Supply Chain Attacks

In supply chain attacks, hackers focus on third-party vendors to infiltrate their clients' systems. Instead of attacking the main target directly, they take advantage of weaknesses in a vendor's system to gain access and then compromise the final target. 

For instance, if a breach occurs in a SaaS vendor's system, like a customer relationship management (CRM) tool or an email service, it can trigger a series of attacks across connected systems.

a. How to prevent it:

• Evaluate vendors for their security certifications and past breaches.
• Limit data sharing to only what is necessary.
• Regularly monitor vendor access and associated risks.

Supply chain attacks can often go undetected until they cause serious harm. To avoid this, companies should perform detailed security evaluations of their third-party vendors and ensure they adhere to robust security measures.

By minimizing the data shared with external parties, organizations can lower their risk, and ongoing monitoring of vendor access can help catch potential threats early.

J. Keystroke Recording (Keyloggers)

Keyloggers are harmful software that record every keystroke a user makes. This can include sensitive data such as passwords, private messages, and email content. They are commonly spread through phishing emails or deceptive browser extensions. If a keylogger is successfully installed, it can compromise credentials for various platforms, including Google Workspace and Slack.

a. How to prevent it:

• Utilize antivirus software with behavior-based detection.
• Keep an eye out for unauthorized extensions and downloads.
• Implement application whitelisting and strict endpoint controls.

Keyloggers can be tricky to spot since they run quietly in the background. To defend against them, it's important to use antivirus programs that feature advanced behavior-based detection to identify suspicious activities. Regularly checking user devices for any unauthorized extensions or software downloads can help stop keyloggers from being installed. 

Additionally, enforcing application whitelisting and strict endpoint controls ensures that only approved applications and downloads are permitted, which helps prevent keyloggers from running.

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3. How to Prevent Data Breaches: Best Practices for 2025

Preventing data breaches requires more than just firewalls and antivirus software. It’s about building a strong security culture through layered protection across people, processes, and technology.

A. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

In a world where login credentials are stolen and sold within minutes on the dark web, relying on just a username and password is a huge gamble. One stolen credential could expose your entire SaaS environment, from emails and shared documents to admin consoles and cloud storage. That’s why MFA is more than a recommendation.

a. Best practices:

• Enforce MFA across all business-critical apps like Google Workspace, Salesforce, Slack, and Zoom.
• Prioritize authentication apps or hardware tokens (like YubiKey) over SMS-based codes, which are more vulnerable to SIM swapping.
• Require MFA for all privileged accounts, including IT admins, finance roles, and vendor accounts.
• Regularly audit MFA adoption to ensure no user or tool is bypassing the requirement.

MFA by itself won't eliminate all threats, but it's one of the simplest methods to prevent unauthorized access. When implemented correctly, it can stop over 99.2% of account takeover attempts, as reported by Microsoft. For a stronger security approach, pair MFA with additional strategies like SSO and monitoring user behavior.

B. Implement the Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP)

Not every employee needs access to all resources. In many organizations, users often gain more permissions than they require, which can lead to privilege creep, a subtle yet serious risk. The Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP) restricts access rights for users, accounts, and systems to only what is necessary for their job roles.

a. Best practices:

• Assess access levels during onboarding and ensure they match job duties.
• Utilize role-based access control (RBAC) to streamline privilege management.
• Regularly review and remove any unused or excessive privileges every three months.
• Automatically reduce privileges after a project ends or when employees change departments.

PoLP is not only about enhancing security; it also promotes accountability. With fewer privileges, there are fewer users who can make significant changes or access sensitive information, which makes audit trails more effective. When applied consistently, PoLP fosters a culture of minimal exposure, accuracy, and control.

C. Automate Offboarding Processes

When employees leave your company, either voluntarily or involuntarily, they often retain access to applications longer than necessary. This can create significant security risks, especially if accounts are forgotten or ignored. Implementing automated offboarding processes guarantees that access is revoked promptly and completely across all platforms.

a. Best practices:

• Connect HRIS systems (like BambooHR or Workday) with identity providers to enable automatic offboarding.
• Quickly deactivate SSO credentials and remove access to SaaS applications, shared folders, and email accounts.
• Make sure deprovisioning scripts cover API-connected applications and shared credentials.
• Archive important data before deletion to ensure continuity and compliance.

A well-organized offboarding process minimizes human error, accelerates response times, and closes potential security gaps. It’s not just about turning off user accounts; it’s about safeguarding your data even after someone has left.

D. Continuously Monitor for Shadow IT

Shadow IT refers to unauthorized applications or services that employees use without the IT department's awareness, like personal Dropbox accounts, AI tools such as ChatGPT, or unapproved browser extensions. While these tools can boost productivity, they can also introduce serious risks if not managed properly.

a. Best practices:

• Utilize SaaS discovery tools to scan your network for unfamiliar applications and integrations.
• Create a formal process for app requests to ensure all tool adoption goes through IT/security.
• Assess and categorize Shadow IT applications based on their risk level, and immediately block any high-risk tools.
• Inform employees about the risks of using unapproved software and offer safe alternatives.

Shadow IT isn’t always harmful; it often arises from employees seeking to work more efficiently. However, having visibility is crucial. By proactively identifying and managing these tools, you can strike a balance between flexibility and control, ensuring that nothing goes unnoticed.

E. Evaluate the Risk of Third-Party Vendors 

Third-party vendors often handle sensitive information, making them prime targets for cyberattacks. More than 60% of data breaches today involve some aspect of third-party services, such as supply chain applications, contractors, or API connections. It's essential to assess their risk before allowing them access to your systems.

a. Best practices:

• Perform security evaluations of vendors before bringing them on board, including reviewing SOC 2, ISO 27001, or penetration testing results.
• Keep a centralized list of all third-party integrations that have access to data.
• Assign a risk level to each vendor and regularly check their compliance and performance.
• Establish alerts for any suspicious activity from third-party accounts or linked tools.

While not all vendors pose the same level of risk, each one does introduce some degree of vulnerability. By thoroughly vetting and continuously monitoring them, you can reduce the likelihood of being affected by another party's security breach.

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4. How CloudEagle.ai Helps Prevent Data Breaches 

Now that you know the root causes and how to prevent them, let’s talk about how CloudEagle.ai is the most effective choice to prevent data breaches proactively. 

A. Role-based access control (RBAC)  

CloudEagle.ai offers role-based access control (RBAC), which allows you to set access permissions according to the roles of employees within the organization. This means that users can only reach the resources necessary for their job tasks.  

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For instance, HR staff can view payroll information, finance team members can access financial records, and marketing personnel can utilize campaign resources. With CloudEagle.ai’s RBAC, everyone gets the access they require, which helps lower the chances of excessive access rights.

B. Auto-provisioning and deprovisioning  

A great way to avoid over-provisioning is by automating the onboarding and offboarding processes for employees. This guarantees that users get the right level of access when they start working at the company, and that their access is removed when they leave.  

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Using CloudEagle.ai, you can automate both the onboarding and offboarding of user accounts, making access management more efficient and reducing the risk of excessive access rights.

C. Real-time monitoring & privileged access management (PAM)  

CloudEagle.ai offers real-time tracking of user activities, providing CISOs with ongoing visibility into who is accessing sensitive information and when. This helps identify suspicious actions before they escalate into security problems.  

CloudEagle.ai enhances your organization's security through privileged access management (PAM) by ensuring that only authorized individuals can reach critical systems. With real-time monitoring and automated audits, CloudEagle.ai keeps a record of who accesses what and when, helping detect unusual activities early.

D. Automated Access Reviews and Audits  

Conducting regular access reviews is essential to ensure that employees have the appropriate access to applications. CloudEagle.ai  simplifies this process with its automated access reviews, allowing security teams to work more efficiently and streamline the process of regular checks to verify permissions. 

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What makes CloudEagle.ai unique is its capability to provide real-time audit trails and comprehensive logs throughout your entire SaaS environment. These logs are useful for monitoring permission changes, identifying suspicious activities, and offering a transparent record of who accessed what and when. 

E. Time-Based Access Management  

Failing to revoke access for temporary or contract workers can pose significant security threats. CloudEagle.ai addresses this issue with time-based access management, enabling administrators to set expiration dates for access rights. Once the designated time expires, access is automatically revoked, with no need for manual intervention.

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This feature is particularly beneficial for roles that are project-based, as well as for interns and third-party vendors, where access is intended to be temporary. You can assign permissions that come with built-in expiration, significantly lowering the chances of privilege creep and 

unauthorized access in the future. 

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5. Conclusion 

In 2025, the threat landscape is more complex than ever, cybercriminals are smarter, attack vectors are broader, and even your most trusted tools can be weaponized. From phishing to insider threats and SaaS misconfigurations, every layer of your stack is a potential entry point.

But here’s the good news: most breaches aren’t inevitable, they’re preventable. With proactive security hygiene, continuous employee training, and robust access control, you can significantly reduce your risk surface. Prevention isn’t just about having the right tools; it’s about creating the right culture.

That’s where CloudEagle.ai steps in. With automated access reviews, adherence to the principle of least privilege, and real-time monitoring and alerts, it helps streamline your security from a single platform. 

Schedule a demo today and let CloudEagle.ai secure your SaaS ecosystem from the inside out.

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6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are the 4 common causes of data breaches?‍

The top causes of data breaches are phishing attacks, weak passwords, misconfigured cloud settings, and insider threats.‍

2. What is the most likely cause of a data breach?

Phishing attacks are the most common cause of data breaches, exploiting human errors to access sensitive information.‍

3. What are the three biggest data breaches of all time?

The three biggest data breaches are:

• Yahoo: 3 billion accounts
• Marriott: 500 million records
• Equifax: 147 million records

4. What makes up 90% of cyber attacks?‍

Approximately 90% of cyber attacks are caused by phishing and social engineering tactics, targeting human vulnerabilities.

5. How can I prevent a data breach?‍

Prevent a data breach by enforcing strong password policies, enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA), regularly training employees, and ensuring proper cloud configuration.