What are common signs of a network security breach?

Identifying common signs of a network security breach is crucial for timely detection and response. Unusual account activity and spikes in network traffic are significant indicators that something may be amiss within a network.

When a network is breached, malicious actors often engage in activities such as unauthorized access to accounts, creating unauthorized user accounts, or manipulating existing ones. This can lead to unexpected behaviors within the accounts, including unusual login times, access to sensitive data that the user normally wouldn’t handle, or changes in account settings.

Additionally, spikes in network traffic can suggest that data is being exfiltrated from the network or that malware is communicating with an external command and control server. Normally, network traffic patterns follow predictable paths based on user activity and legitimate business practices; deviations from these patterns can indicate that unauthorized processes are running or that malicious activity is taking place.

This choice effectively captures two critical aspects of monitoring that security professionals need to focus on to detect and respond to potential breaches before they can cause significant harm.