The Role of Human Error in Successful Cyber Security Breaches

The Role of Human Error in Successful Cybersecurity Breaches

When we talk about cybersecurity, we often focus on advanced technologies like firewalls, encryption, and sophisticated software. But there’s one critical factor that can undermine even the best security systems: human error. No matter how advanced the technology, mistakes made by people are often the weakest link. According to a study by IBM, an astonishing 95% of cybersecurity breaches result from human error, highlighting just how crucial the human element is in protecting sensitive data.

Human errors can take many forms—from clicking on a malicious link to using a weak password. A Stanford study showed that 88% of data breaches come from these types of mistakes.

So why do people keep making these errors? It boils down to the complicated relationship between human behavior and technology. Daily distractions, pressure at work, and a lack of awareness about current threats all make mistakes more likely, even for well-trained employees.

In this blog post, we’ll break down the main reasons human error happens, look at real-world examples of breaches caused by mistakes, and explore ways to reduce these risks.

What Is Human Error in Cybersecurity?

Human error happens when people unintentionally make decisions or take actions that lead to a security breach. This can be as simple as using a weak password or clicking on a phishing email. These mistakes may seem minor but can have a serious impact, putting an entire organization’s data at risk.

With so many digital tools and platforms available today, employees are often overwhelmed by the number of passwords they have to manage and the security protocols they need to follow. This increases the chance of making mistakes like forgetting to update software or incorrectly configuring security settings.

Why Does Human Error Happen?

Human error in cybersecurity isn’t just about carelessness. It usually stems from a few key factors. One of the biggest reasons is pressure and distractions. Tight deadlines, multiple tasks, or constant notifications can easily lead to someone overlooking critical security steps. Another big factor is a lack of awareness. Many employees aren’t trained well enough to spot phishing emails or understand the importance of basic security practices. Decision-based errors also play a role, where someone makes a mistake based on incomplete or incorrect information. For instance, an employee might delay an important software update, not realizing how critical it is, or fall for a well-disguised phishing scam.

Common Examples of Human Error in Cybersecurity

Here are some of the most common ways human error shows up in cybersecurity:

• Misdelivery: This happens when sensitive information is accidentally sent to the wrong person, like emailing a confidential document to an unintended recipient.
• Misclicks: Clicking on a malicious link in an email or downloading a harmful attachment is a common mistake, often made when employees are rushed.
• Weak Passwords: Using easily guessable passwords, reusing the same password for multiple accounts, or storing passwords insecurely are all examples of password-related human errors.
• Failure to Patch: Many breaches occur because employees or IT teams don’t install critical security updates in time, leaving systems exposed to vulnerabilities.
• Physical Security Lapses: Leaving devices unlocked or unattended, or failing to securely store physical copies of sensitive data, can also lead to breaches.

Major Data Breaches Caused by Human Error

Human error has been responsible for some of the biggest data breaches in recent years. Here are a few high-profile examples:

• Equifax (2017): A missed software patch led to the personal information of 147 million people being exposed. This mistake cost Equifax an estimated $4 billion.
• Capital One (2019): A firewall was misconfigured, allowing unauthorized access to 100 million customer records. This breach ended up costing around $150 million.
• Twitter (2020): Hackers used social engineering techniques to target Twitter employees, gaining access to high-profile accounts. This incident wiped out about $1 billion in Twitter’s stock value.

Mitigating Human Error with Keepnet’s Human Risk Management Platform

Human error is one of the leading causes of cybersecurity breaches, but businesses can take significant steps to mitigate this risk using Keepnet’s Unified Human Risk Management Platform. Keepnet offers a powerful combination of phishing simulations, security awareness training, and fast incident response, all designed to reduce the likelihood and impact of human mistakes.

Keepnet’s phishing simulations immerse employees in realistic attack scenarios, including email phishing, vishing (voice phishing), and smishing (SMS phishing). By exposing staff to these threats in a controlled environment, organizations have seen a 90% reduction in high-risk behaviors.

On the training side, Keepnet’s Security Awareness Training provides engaging and diverse content, using gamification and SMS delivery to boost engagement. With a tailored 12-month training plan, success rates have increased from 50% to 94%, and training completion rates have reached 99%.

In the event of a potential security breach, phishing forensics and incident response tools help businesses respond quickly. By integrating with SOAR platforms and using automated workflows, Keepnet speeds up phishing investigations by 168 times and boosts phishing reporting by 92%, allowing organizations to act swiftly to mitigate damage.

Keepnet provides a comprehensive, all-in-one solution for managing human risk. By leveraging these tools, businesses can transform human error from a cybersecurity vulnerability into a key line of defense.

Watch the video below to learn more details about Keepnet’s Human Risk Management Platform.

Editor's Note: This article was updated on February 14, 2025.