In our experience, these are some of the most common causes of data breaches from human error:
- Clicking phishing links
- Weak or reused passwords
- Sending sensitive data to the wrong recipient
- Misconfigured access controls
- Poor patch management
- Falling for social engineering scams
The impact of human error can lead to serious consequences for your business:
- Data breaches and loss
- Financial damage
- Reputational harm
- Regulatory penalties
- Operational disruption
When cybersecurity incidents happen, the aftermath can be devastating for small and medium-sized businesses. With 95% of breaches involving some form of human error, addressing this vulnerability isn’t optional—it’s essential for your business survival.
Our cybersecurity solutions help businesses like yours minimize human-related security risks through tailored training and robust protection systems.
What is human error in cyber security?
Human error in cybersecurity refers to any unintentional action or mistake made by an employee that compromises the security of your organization’s data or systems. These errors happen regardless of technical safeguards in place.
⚖️ At CMIT Solutions, we help businesses reduce security incidents through comprehensive employee training and security awareness programs. Our experience shows that addressing the human element is just as vital as implementing technical controls.
While system vulnerabilities exist independently, human-induced security risks often create the openings that attackers exploit most frequently. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), human error continues to be the primary entry point for cybercriminals.
Types of human errors in cybersecurity
1. Clicking phishing links
Phishing attacks remain one of the most common entry points for cybercriminals. These deceptive emails or messages trick employees into clicking malicious links that appear legitimate but actually download malware or capture login credentials.
According 2020 data from the United Nations, a 350% increase in phishing websites was reported in the first quarter of the pandemic and continued to evolve in sophistication. Many employees click suspicious links simply because they’re in a hurry or don’t recognize the warning signs of a fraudulent message.
2. Weak or reused passwords
Despite years of warnings from security professionals, weak password practices continue to plague organizations of all sizes. Many employees still use predictable patterns, common words, or personal information that’s easily guessable.
⚠️ Password reuse across multiple accounts presents an even greater danger. When credentials are stolen from one service, attackers immediately try them on other platforms, potentially compromising your entire business network through just one leaked password.
3. Sending sensitive data to the wrong recipient
Misdirected emails happen more often than most businesses realize. An employee rushes to send information, autocomplete suggests the wrong recipient, and suddenly confidential data is in unauthorized hands.
This error often occurs due to simple oversight, like not double-checking the “To” field or accidentally clicking “Reply All” instead of “Reply.” The consequences can be severe, especially when the information contains personally identifiable information (PII) or intellectual property.
4. Misconfigured access controls
Inappropriate permission settings frequently lead to security incidents when users have access to information beyond what they need for their roles. This commonly happens when IT staff improperly configure cloud storage, databases, or file-sharing services.
A single misconfiguration can expose sensitive company data to the entire internet. In fact, misconfigured cloud resources were responsible for exposing over 200 million records in 2023, according to IBM’s 2024 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index—proving how a simple setting error can lead to massive consequences.
5. Poor patch management
Delaying software updates creates unnecessary vulnerability windows. Employees often postpone critical security patches to avoid interruptions, unaware that these updates address known exploits that hackers actively target.
Many major breaches could have been prevented with timely patching. The challenge intensifies in remote work environments where IT teams have less control over update schedules on employee devices, making education about the importance of updates essential.
6. Falling for social engineering scams
Social engineering attacks manipulate human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities. These scams leverage emotions like fear, curiosity, or urgency to bypass logical thinking and security protocols.
Common tactics include urgent requests supposedly from executives (CEO fraud), fake IT support calls, or impersonating vendors to gain access credentials. These attacks succeed because they exploit human trust and helpfulness rather than technical weaknesses.
💡Hypothetical scenario: An employee received what appeared to be an email from their department head requesting an urgent wire transfer. The employee, wanting to be responsive, bypassed verification procedures and authorized the payment—resulting in a $28,000 loss before the fraud was discovered.
✔️For a deeper look at how IT professionals can support staff through cybersecurity culture and guidance, check out our Cybersecurity and the Trusted Advisor e-book.
Consequences of security breaches caused by employees
1. Data breaches and loss
Data breaches resulting from employee errors can expose sensitive customer information, intellectual property, or financial data. Once this information is compromised, it’s nearly impossible to fully contain.
💡 Hypothetical scenario: An administrator accidentally configured a cloud storage folder with public access instead of restricting it to specific team members. This mistake exposed hundreds of client financial documents for nearly three weeks before discovery, requiring extensive notification and remediation efforts.
2. Financial damage
The financial impact of human-error breaches extends far beyond the immediate incident. Businesses face costs related to investigation, remediation, legal fees, potential ransom payments, and customer compensation.
For small to mid-sized businesses, these unexpected costs can be devastating. According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average cost per compromised record continues to rise, with smaller organizations experiencing disproportionately higher costs relative to their size and resources.
3. Reputational harm
Customer trust takes years to build but can be destroyed by a single security incident. When word spreads about a data breach—especially one caused by employee negligence—potential customers may choose competitors they perceive as more secure.
⚠️ This reputational damage often lingers long after the technical issues are resolved. Many small businesses never fully recover their market position after a significant breach becomes public knowledge, as customers remain wary of entrusting their data again.
4. Regulatory penalties
Modern data protection regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and industry-specific rules carry significant penalties for security lapses, even when unintentional. These fines can reach millions of dollars depending on the severity and extent of the breach.
Regulatory bodies show little leniency for breaches resulting from basic human errors that could have been prevented through proper training and protocols. Additionally, these incidents often trigger mandatory audits and ongoing compliance monitoring that create long-term administrative burdens.
5. Operational disruption
Security incidents frequently cause substantial operational downtime as systems are taken offline for investigation and remediation. This disruption affects productivity, customer service, and revenue generation.
In ransomware situations triggered by employee errors, businesses may lose access to critical systems for days or weeks. Even with backup systems, the recovery process typically involves significant disruption, creating a ripple effect through all business operations.
We help implement safer processes and deploy real-time monitoring tools to reduce human-error risks—reach out to our team to protect your business today.
What percentage of cyber attacks are caused by human error?
Human error contributes to an astonishing 95% of cybersecurity breaches, according to the latest research from the World Economic Forum. This statistic highlights that despite technological advances, the human element remains the most vulnerable security aspect for most organizations.
According to a 2024 survey, 66 percent of respondents among Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in the United States said human error is their organization’s most significant cyber vulnerability. This gap suggests that many organizations may still underestimate the risk of human action—or inaction—in cyber security.
Comparison of Breach Causes Across Major Reports:
| Source | Human Error % | Other Vulnerabilities Overview |
|---|---|---|
| IBM Security | 95% | Includes malicious attacks, system glitches, and third-party failures—showing that while technology plays a role, human actions dominate. |
| Verizon DBIR | 85% | The remaining causes include hacking, malware, and credential misuse—highlighting a blend of technical and behavioral threats. |
| Stanford/Tessian | 88% | Other factors include insider threats and system flaws, though they account for a much smaller share of incidents. |
✔️ The consistency across multiple independent studies confirms that human factors overwhelmingly dominate the cybersecurity risk landscape. Even sophisticated technical defenses can be easily circumvented when employees make critical errors.
Human error cybersecurity statistics you need to know
- Of the breaches involving the human element, phishing is the most common attack vector (Verizon DBIR)
- The average cost of a breach caused by human error is $3.33 million per incident
- 55% of employees admit to reusing passwords across personal and work accounts
- Administrative staff often represent a higher cybersecurity risk not due to malice but because they typically receive less specialized security training despite having access to sensitive systems and data.
- Only 32% of organizations conduct regular phishing simulations to test employee awareness
Cost Impact by Type of Human Error
| Error Type | Average Cost Per Incident | Frequency | Detection Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phishing-related | $4.65 million | 36% | 250 days |
| Misconfigurations | $3.86 million | 21% | 312 days |
| Password issues | $2.95 million | 18% | 149 days |
| Misdirected emails | $2.25 million | 15% | 91 days |
| Social engineering | $4.47 million | 10% | 230 days |
Why human vulnerabilities in cyber security occur
Human vulnerabilities persist because of fundamental psychological and workplace factors that affect decision-making. Cognitive biases, like optimism bias (“it won’t happen to me”), lead employees to underestimate security risks and overestimate their ability to identify threats.
💡 Security experts distinguish between skill-based errors (slips and lapses that occur despite knowing better) and knowledge-based mistakes (errors due to incomplete understanding). This distinction helps organizations develop more effective training and controls targeted to specific vulnerability types.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) highlights that human errors often stem from competing priorities—when security procedures conflict with productivity goals, employees frequently choose efficiency over caution.
We design secure, efficient systems that protect your data without slowing down your team—get in touch with us to see how we can help.
How to reduce the risk of human security breaches
- Provide regular security awareness training: Implement ongoing education programs that teach employees to recognize threats and understand their security responsibilities. Effective training uses real-world examples, interactive elements, and frequent refreshers rather than annual compliance sessions.
- Enforce MFA and password policies: Require multi-factor authentication for all accounts, especially those with administrative privileges or access to sensitive data. Implement password managers to help employees maintain unique, complex passwords without resorting to reuse or written notes.
- Limit access using role-based permissions: Apply the principle of least privilege by restricting user access to only the resources necessary for their specific job functions. Regularly audit access rights, particularly after role changes, to prevent permission creep over time.
- Automate security updates and backups: Remove human decision-making from critical security processes by implementing automated patch management and backup systems. This ensures that updates are applied promptly and recovery options remain current without relying on manual intervention.
- Use endpoint protection and monitoring: Deploy comprehensive endpoint security that can detect and block suspicious activities even when users make mistakes. Modern solutions use behavioral analysis to identify potential threats based on unusual patterns rather than known signatures.
- Run phishing simulations and tabletop exercises: Conduct regular simulated attacks to test employee awareness and response. These exercises provide practical experience in identifying threats and following proper reporting procedures when suspicious activities occur.
Hypothetical scenario: A manufacturing firm implemented monthly phishing simulations and gamified their security training. After three months, their phishing click rates dropped from 32% to just 7%, demonstrating how consistent, engaging training dramatically reduces human error risks.
Human error doesn’t have to be your business’s weak point
While human error represents the largest security vulnerability for most organizations, people can also become your strongest defense with proper support. Employees who understand threats and have appropriate tools can serve as an effective human firewall against attacks.
The key is balancing technical controls with human-centered security design. By implementing systems that account for natural human behaviors and limitations, your organization can significantly reduce the likelihood and impact of user-related security incidents.
Remember that cybersecurity is not solely an IT department responsibility—it requires a culture of security awareness throughout your organization, from leadership to frontline employees. This cultural shift, combined with appropriate tools and training, creates a resilient security posture.
Ready to strengthen your human security defenses? Contact our team at (800) 399-2648 or schedule a consultation to develop a comprehensive security strategy that addresses the human element.
FAQs
How can I tell if my employees are the weak link in my cybersecurity strategy?
Look for warning signs like frequent security incidents, employees bypassing security policies for convenience, or resistance to security training. Conduct a security audit or vulnerability assessment that includes phishing simulations and policy compliance reviews to identify specific human-related vulnerabilities.
What are the signs that human error might be putting my business at risk?
Watch for indicators such as employees sharing passwords, using unauthorized applications, falling for simulated phishing tests, or sending sensitive information through insecure channels. Multiple password reset requests or account lockouts can also signal potential security issues with user behavior.
These issues often surface during a thorough cybersecurity audit that reviews both technical safeguards and human vulnerabilities.
Can small mistakes really lead to major data breaches?
Absolutely. Many catastrophic breaches began with seemingly minor errors like clicking a malicious link or misconfiguring a cloud storage permission. Small businesses are particularly vulnerable because they often lack the detection and response capabilities to contain these incidents before they escalate into major breaches.
How do I create a culture of cybersecurity awareness in my company?
Build a security culture by making awareness visible throughout your organization. Start with leadership commitment, implement engaging training programs, recognize and reward secure behaviors, and ensure policies are practical for daily work. Creating a blame-free reporting environment encourages employees to speak up when they make or witness security mistakes.
How can CMIT Solutions help reduce the risk of employee-related security issues?
CMIT Solutions provides comprehensive human-focused security services including customized awareness training, phishing simulations, secure password management solutions, and user behavior monitoring. We also help businesses implement zero-trust data security frameworks that assume no user or device is inherently trusted—reducing the chances of internal mistakes leading to major breaches.
