Beware of data erasure tools, hackers on the inside

A host of tools can go a long way toward making sure that confidential data stays confidential, but organizations must do more to ensure themselves against insider data breaches. One example is the availability of data erasure tools online, which allow hackers to steal data, transfer it, then wipe drives clean and digitally shred file data so that recovery is impossible. IT managers must be aware of these data-wiping utilities, which may be installed on their own company's PCs. IT managers also must be careful in the handling of PCs that have been maliciously wiped. It's important not to touch it because the courts will want to know why the drive was tampered with after being discovered. But all is not lost: insiders will often perform a logical delete rather than wiping a drive clean. If that occurs, the files still exist on a physical level and as long as the person doesn't overwrite the data, it can be recovered.

Learn more about sophisticated insider hacking:
- read the article at InformationWeek

Related article:
- read this about stopping insider threats in their tracks
- and this on the security enemy within