Glossary
Dumpster Diving
Old-school but effective: criminals literally search through your trash. Discarded documents can contain passwords written on sticky notes, financial statements, customer lists, or technical manuals. Shredding isn't paranoia - it's basic security.
What is Dumpster Diving?
The practice of searching through trash to find sensitive information that can be used for attacks, identity theft, or competitive intelligence.
Why Should You Care?
Understanding dumpster diving is essential for building a strong security posture. This knowledge helps organizations identify threats early and respond appropriately.
Is your business exposed?
Real-World Example
Security teams regularly encounter dumpster diving in their day-to-day operations. Recognizing and responding to these scenarios is a core security competency.
How to Protect Against Dumpster Diving
- 1.
Cross-cut shred all sensitive documents
- 2.
Secure trash bins and dumpsters
- 3.
Establish clear desk and document disposal policies
Related Terms
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