How to make your SharePoint data of zero value in a zero day attack!

In recent years, Microsoft SharePoint® has become one of the most widely-used platforms for document management and collaboration in businesses worldwide. However, like many digital tools, it has found itself the target of cyberattacks. In this blog, we will explore the details of a significant hack on SharePoint® , who is at risk, and how technologies like ShardSecure can provide robust protection for both structured and unstructured data.

How the SharePoint® Hack Occurred

In a notable cyberattack, vulnerabilities in Microsoft SharePoint® were exploited by hackers. The attack typically involved exploiting security weaknesses that allowed unauthorized individuals to gain access to sensitive information stored on the platform. Often, these vulnerabilities stemmed from outdated software versions, misconfigurations, and improper access controls, among others. This breach highlighted the critical need for companies to regularly update their systems and employ strong security policies.

Who is at Risk?

Organizations that rely extensively on SharePoint® for managing sensitive data are primarily at risk. Although currently the situation seems to be a global attack on government agencies and businesses in the past few days, breaching U.S. federal and state agencies, universities, energy companies and an Asian telecommunications company, according to state officials and private researchers. Currently tens of thousands of such servers are at risk, experts said, no patch has been issued by Microsoft for the flaw, leaving victims around the world scrambling to respond.

Why the Hack Happened

Cybercriminals are constantly seeking high-value targets, and SharePoint® ’s widespread use makes it an attractive option. The main motivations behind these hacks include data theft, espionage, and ransom demands. Furthermore, the complexity and scope of managing a widely-used enterprise platform like SharePoint® mean that even minor lapses in security can be exploited.

Protecting Data with ShardSecure

In the wake of such vulnerabilities, it’s crucial for businesses to adopt advanced data protection solutions and deploy additional layers of protection. Here’s how ShardSecure can play a pivotal role in safeguarding both unstructured data and structured:

• Unstructured Data Significance: Unstructured data, such as emails, documents, social media posts, and multimedia files, is a critical asset for businesses. It accounts for a large portion of all generated data and contains valuable insights that drive decision-making, product development, and marketing strategies. However, its diverse formats and sources make it challenging to secure effectively.
• Agentless Encryption Technology: ShardSecure offers Agentless Encryption Technology, which breaks data into small fragments and distributes them across multiple locations. This process makes it virtually impossible for hackers to reconstruct the original data, adding a significant layer of security.
• Data Resilience and Obfuscation: By breaking unstructured data into small pieces, ShardSecure enhances its resilience against breaches. Additionally, data obfuscation ensures that even if a breach occurs, the data remains indecipherable and useless. Additionally, its self-healing capabilities automatically detect and repair any fragmented components, ensuring continuous data integrity and availability without manual intervention.
• Seamless agentless Integration: ShardSecure can integrate with existing IT infrastructure without disrupting operations or impacting user performance or systems. For organizations using SharePoint® , this means enhanced security without sacrificing functionality or efficiency.
• Enhanced Compliance: For industries bound by stringent data privacy regulations (like GDPR or HIPAA), utilizing ShardSecure ensures that data handling complies with such legal requirements, thereby avoiding hefty penalties.

Conclusion

The Microsoft SharePoint® hack serves as a powerful reminder of the digital threats businesses face daily. By exploiting vulnerabilities, cybercriminals have unprecedented opportunities to cause damage. Currently it seems that only SharePoint® servers housed within an organization are impacted — not those in the cloud, such as Microsoft 365, however, organizations need to ensure that data wherever it resides is protected from these types of attacks.

However, through proactive steps, such as implementing ShardSecure’s data security solutions, organizations can protect their data assets from breaches. It’s essential to regularly review and update security protocols and leverage innovative technologies to stay ahead of potential threats. Transforming data management strategies with new technologies such as ShardSecure’s platform today can safeguard businesses tomorrow.

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