This year has been a busy one for cybercriminals, with some massive data breaches making headlines and costing companies millions. From health care giants to project management platforms, no industry is immune to the risks. But what do these breaches mean for small to midsize businesses? The same vulnerabilities exist for you, and the consequences of not addressing them can be catastrophic.
Let's recap five of the most significant breaches of 2024 so far and
discuss how your business can stay protected.
1. National Public Data
A couple of months ago, a hacking group claimed to have stolen 2.7 billion personal records from a background checking and public data-brokering site. The data includes sensitive information like Social Security numbers, addresses and more. Portions of the data have been released on the dark web, though experts are still evaluating its accuracy, as the combined populations of the countries listed amount to only about half a billion. However, it's likely that many Social Security numbers have been compromised.
Since this breach affects so many people, everyone now has an incentive
to monitor their financial and online identities closely, and it's imperative
that they do so immediately. A practical step is freezing your credit to
protect against identity theft and unfreezing it when needed for activities
like applying for loans or credit cards. Find out if you were exposed here!
2. Ticketmaster
A significant data
breach at Ticketmaster exposed the personal and financial information of over
560 million customers. Hackers accessed the company's database during April and
May, stealing sensitive details such as names, e-mails, phone numbers and
payment information. This breach exposed serious flaws in Ticketmaster's
security, raising concerns among consumers. Many victims reported unauthorized
transactions and identity theft following the incident. Additionally, this breach
added to the legal troubles of Ticketmaster's parent company, Live Nation,
which was already facing a lawsuit from the US Department of Justice for
anticompetitive practices.
3. Change Healthcare
In February 2024,
Change Healthcare was hit by a massive ransomware attack that exposed the
personal information of over 145 million people. This breach, one of the
largest in health care history, compromised sensitive data, including names,
addresses, Social Security numbers and medical records. The incident had
far-reaching effects on patients, health care providers and insurance
companies, prompting many in the health care industry to reconsider their
cybersecurity strategies to prevent similar attacks in the future.
4. AT&T
In March, AT&T was the victim of a data breach that compromised the
personal information of approximately 73 million current and former customers.
This giant breach included sensitive data such as Social Security numbers,
account details and passcodes. The breach was linked to data from as far back
as 2019, which surfaced on the dark web in March 2024. This incident is part of
a series of attacks on AT&T, following a 2023 breach that impacted 9 million
users. In response, AT&T launched an investigation to contain the malware
while maintaining services for current customers. The breach has also opened
the company up to the possibility of multiple class action lawsuits.
While you may not manage millions of customers like AT&T, your
business can still fall victim to cyber-attacks. It's crucial to protect your
network by implementing robust security measures, training employees on
password and phishing prevention, and maintaining an active cybersecurity
strategy.
5. Dell
In May, Dell experienced a security breach when a hacker known as
Menelik used a brute-force attack to infiltrate one of their resellers' client
portals. This breach exposed 49 million records containing sensitive data,
including customer names, e-mail addresses, payment information and account
details. The incident sparked significant concerns about Dell's cybersecurity
practices, leading the company to issue a public apology and pledge to enhance
its security protocols. In response to the breach, Dell has faced increased
regulatory scrutiny and may encounter legal challenges as more details about
the impact emerge.
What Does This Mean For You Personally?
We have several blogs on what to do if you're affected by a data breach,
but the most important action is to freeze your credit and check your bank
account. Websites like www.haveIbeenpwnd.com can tell you if your e-mail has been exposed
in a breach.
What Does This Mean For Your Business?
While these breaches happened to major players, small to midsize
businesses are far from off the radar. In fact, SMBs are increasingly targeted
because they often lack the robust security measures that larger companies
have. Cybercriminals know this, and the stakes couldn't be higher: a single
breach could cost your business thousands in downtime, lost data and damaged
reputation.
Protect Your Business With A FREE Security Risk Assessment
If these stories have you thinking about your own vulnerabilities,
that's a good thing. The best defense is a proactive one. We're offering a FREE
Security Risk Assessment to evaluate your network for potential risks. Our
experts will assess your system's vulnerabilities, help you patch the holes and
ensure your business is fortified against attacks.
Don't wait until you're the next headline - get your FREE Security Risk Assessment! Contact us today!
