What did Verizon's report find about the "human element"?

Jeff Kew, Verizon's Great Lakes communications manager, said the report found the "human element" was involved in about 60% of data breaches.

What should families do to protect themselves?

Kew recommended creating a shared password or verification phrase to confirm identity on unexpected calls or emails.

How can AI use at work pose a security risk?

Kew said entering personal or proprietary information into AI tools can create risks, and urged care not to input such data.

AI Safety & AlignmentTop Companies' AI MovesTop Companies AI3m agoOct 10, 2026, 06:31 JST

Verizon's Jeff Kew: human element in 60% of breaches

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Verizon's latest data breach report found the "human element" was involved in about 60% of data breaches, and phone phishing clicks rose 40% versus computers, Jeff Kew said.

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Context & Analysis

Kew's warning comes as smartphone and AI use grows, making phishing and social engineering attempts more convincing. The report's finding that phone users clicked malicious links 40% more than computer users points to a shift in where these attacks succeed.

He said the growing use of AI at work can create risks when employees enter personal or proprietary information into AI tools, and recommended that businesses assess how employees access information. He also noted the time to fix software vulnerabilities has increased.

Verizon offers threat-assessment resources to its business customers, and Kew pointed to AI Skills for America, a free educational program open to the public.

FAQ

What did Verizon's report find about the "human element"?: Jeff Kew, Verizon's Great Lakes communications manager, said the report found the "human element" was involved in about 60% of data breaches.
What should families do to protect themselves?: Kew recommended creating a shared password or verification phrase to confirm identity on unexpected calls or emails.
How can AI use at work pose a security risk?: Kew said entering personal or proprietary information into AI tools can create risks, and urged care not to input such data.

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