Some massive data breaches have made headlines this year and have costed companies millions — a busy year for cybercriminals. Unfortunately, no industry is immune. So, what do these breaches mean for small to midsize businesses? The same vulnerabilities exist and not addressing them can be catastrophic in consequences.
Here are 5 of the most significant breaches of 2024:
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. Sensitive information like Social Security numbers, addresses and more were hacked — some info was unfortunately released on the dark web. Experts are still evaluating the accuracy of the info on the dark web, 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, people have an incentive to monitor their financial and online identity closely and immediately. One way is to freeze your credit to protect against identity theft and then unfreeze it when needed for activities like applying for loans or credit cards. Find out if you were exposed here!
2. Ticketmaster
A significant Ticketmaster data breach exposed personal and financial information of over 560 million customers. This breach exposed serious flaws in Ticketmaster’s security, raising concerns among consumers. During April and May of 2024, hackers accessed the company’s database and stole sensitive details — names, emails, phone numbers and payment information. Many victims reported unauthorized transactions and identity theft following the incident. This breach also added to the legal troubles of Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation, which was already facing a lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice for anticompetitive practices.
3. Change Healthcare
In February 2024, Change Healthcare was hit by a massive ransomware attack, exposing the personal information of over 145 million people including names, addresses, Social Security numbers and medical records. This breach has been one of the largest in healthcare history. The incident effected patients, health care providers and insurance companies, prompting many in the industry to reconsider their cybersecurity strategies to prevent similar attacks in the future.
4. AT&T
In March 2024, AT&T was the victim of a data breach compromising the personal information of approximately 73 million current and former customers. This breach included sensitive data such as Social Security numbers, account details and passcodes 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 2024, Dell experienced a security breach when hacker Menelik used a brute-force attack to infiltrate one of their resellers’ client portals, exposing 49 million records containing sensitive data, including customer names, email 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, 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 blog articles 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 email has been exposed in a breach.
What Does This Mean For Your Business?
While these breaches happened to major companies, small to midsize businesses are far from reach. In fact, SMBs are increasingly targeted because they often lack the robust security measures that larger companies have — they are an easier target. 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 today! Click here to schedule or call our office at 888-500-9111.
