Last Tuesday, Quebec’s Minister of Cybersecurity and Digital Technology faced an embarrassing situation: a data leak due to an internal error. An employee transferred the personal information of 117 civil servants to his personal e-mail address.
The Ministry reacted swiftly, demanding that the files be irreversibly deleted, and gave assurances that the data had not been maliciously shared or exploited. All employees concerned were notified and an internal investigation was carried out.1
Human error and cybersecurity: a formidable duo
This incident reminds us that the threat does not always come from the outside. Human error is one of the leading causes of security breaches, and even with procedures in place, a simple misstep can expose sensitive information.
At My Technician, we prefer a pragmatic approach: cybersecurity isn’t just a question of technology, it’s also a question of good everyday reflexes. Training your teams and putting in place simple but effective barriers is real prevention.
Prevention is better than repair
Waiting for an incident to happen before taking an interest in cybersecurity? Not a good idea. Here are some key measures to put in place:
- Prohibit the use of personal e-mail for sensitive data: this is not a whim, it’s a real need to limit accidental leaks.
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA): because a simple password is no longer enough.
- Access segmentation based on the principle of least privilege: limiting access to what is strictly necessary reduces the risks and impact of vulnerabilities.
- Active monitoring: detect suspicious behavior before it becomes a problem.
- Ongoing awareness: cybersecurity isn’t a one-off training course, it’s a reflex that needs to be nurtured.
An investment that avoids many worries
Data loss, reputational damage, business interruptions… the consequences of a breach can be costly. A good cybersecurity strategy is above all an intelligent investment to protect what matters.
Thought for the day
“We always imagine the hacker in a hoodie in a dark basement… but sometimes, the data leak comes from a simple e-mail sent too quickly! A reminder that prevention is like a good anti-virus: it saves a lot of headaches.”
Don’t let a simple mistake become a big problem. We’re here to help you keep your data safe. Contact us for an audit and make sure your company isn’t next in line for the headlines.
1: https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/2025-01-28/breche-de-securite-au-ministere-de-la-cybersecurite.php?sharing=true