Human Error: The Silent Culprit Behind Most Data Breaches

The Most Common Mistakes That Lead to Devastating Security Incidents

Despite the headlines about sophisticated cyberattacks and zero-day exploits, many devastating data breaches start with something much simpler: human error. Learn how everyday mistakes can create open doors for attackers and how to prevent them with proper tooling and practices.

Despite the headlines about sophisticated cyberattacks and zero-day exploits, many devastating data breaches start with something much simpler: human error. Our security scanners routinely detect sensitive data exposed through everyday mistakes made during development.

The Accidental Git Commit

It happens to even experienced developers: testing a feature locally with real credentials, then accidentally pushing those secrets to version control when committing code changes.

The Dangerous Pattern

Risky Code:

// config/dev.js (Mistakenly committed to Git)

module.exports = {

  DATABASE_URL: 'postgres://user:RealPassword123@prod-db.example.com:5432/mydatabase',

  AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID: 'AKIAIOSFODNN7EXAMPLE',

  AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY: 'wJalrXUtnFEMI/K7MDENG/bPxRfiCYEXAMPLEKEY'

};

Better Approach:

// .gitignore entry:

config/*.js

*.env



// Load in code:

const config = {

  DATABASE_URL: process.env.DATABASE_URL,

  AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID: process.env.AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID,

  // ... etc. fetched from environment or secrets manager

};

Once secrets are committed to a repository—even if deleted in a subsequent commit—they remain in the Git history, potentially accessible to anyone with repository access.

Real-World Impact

Hardcoding Secrets in Source Code

Another common mistake is embedding credentials, API keys, or other secrets directly in application code. This pattern is particularly dangerous in mobile apps where decompilation is relatively straightforward.

The Dangerous Pattern

Risky Code:

// In an Android App source file

public class ApiClient {

    // API key directly in the code - easily found by decompiling the app!

    private static final String API_KEY = "shh_this_is_super_secret_12345";



    public void makeApiCall() {

        // ... code that uses API_KEY ...

    }

}

Better Approach:

// Using Android's secure storage mechanisms

public class ApiClient {

    private String apiKey;



    public ApiClient(Context context) {

        // Fetch at runtime from secure storage

        KeyStore keyStore = KeyStore.getInstance("AndroidKeyStore");

        keyStore.load(null);

        KeyStore.SecretKeyEntry secretKeyEntry = (KeyStore.SecretKeyEntry) keyStore.getEntry("api_key", null);

        this.apiKey = new String(secretKeyEntry.getSecretKey().getEncoded());

    }

}

Real-World Impact

Logging Sensitive Data

During development and debugging, it's tempting to log everything to understand application flow. However, accidentally logging passwords, session tokens, or personal information creates significant security risks.

The Dangerous Pattern

Risky Code:

# Logging sensitive details during payment processing

try:

    user_payment_info = process_payment(user_id, credit_card_details)

    # OOPS! Logging potentially full credit card details

    logger.info(f"Payment processed successfully for user {user_id}. Details: {user_payment_info}")

except Exception as e:

    # DOUBLE OOPS! Logging sensitive input data on failure

    logger.error(f"Payment failed for user {user_id}. Input: {credit_card_details}. Error: {e}")

Better Approach:

# Safe logging practices

try:

    transaction_id = process_payment(user_id, credit_card_details)

    logger.info(f"Payment processed successfully for user {user_id}. Transaction ID: {transaction_id}")

except Exception as e:

    # Log only the error type and non-sensitive context

    logger.error(f"Payment failed for user {user_id}. Error type: {e.__class__.__name__}", exc_info=True)

Real-World Impact

Building a Human-Error-Resistant Security Culture

Human mistakes are inevitable, but their impact doesn't have to be catastrophic. By implementing the right tools, processes, and developer education, most of these common errors can be prevented before they lead to a breach.

Best Practices to Minimize Risk

Centralize Secrets Management

• Never store secrets in code or commit them to Git
• Use dedicated tools like HashiCorp Vault, AWS Secrets Manager, Azure Key Vault
• These platforms provide secure storage, access control, secret rotation, and audit capabilities

Automate Secrets Detection

• Implement pre-commit hooks that prevent secrets from being committed
• Set up CI/CD pipeline scans that fail builds if secrets are detected
• Run periodic repository scans to detect secrets in existing code

Implement Secure Logging

• Create a clear list of what should never be logged (passwords, tokens, PII)
• Implement log masking for sensitive fields (e.g., "credit_card":"****1234")
• Establish appropriate access controls for logging systems

Continuous Education

• Regular training on secure coding practices
• Security-focused code reviews
• Shared post-mortems for security incidents (even near-misses)
• Recognition for reporting security issues

Why These Measures Matter

The Stats That Matter

The numbers speak volumes about the critical importance of addressing human error in security:

Conclusion: Security Is a Team Sport

Most data breaches aren't the result of sophisticated attacks—they stem from simple human errors that could have been prevented with proper tools and practices. By acknowledging this reality and implementing the preventive measures outlined above, organizations can significantly reduce their risk exposure.

Remember: security isn't just about fancy technology and complex defenses; it's about creating an environment where it's harder to make mistakes and easier to catch them when they do happen.

Key Action Items:

1. Implement automation – Secret scanning tools can prevent the vast majority of credential exposures

2. Create security guardrails – Make it easy for developers to do the right thing with proper tools and templates

3. Foster a security culture – Education and awareness are just as important as technical controls

4. Remember the human factor – Even the best developers make mistakes; design systems that catch them

Protect Against Human Error with Puaro

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Ready to implement automated secret detection that prevents human error? Contact our experts to learn how Puaro can help your team avoid costly mistakes.