The 5 Biggest Data Breaches of 2024 and How They Could Impact Your Business
2024 has seen significant data breaches that serve as a stark reminder that no organization, regardless of size or industry, is immune to cyber-attacks. From large corporations to small businesses, cybercriminals are constantly evolving their methods to exploit vulnerabilities. These breaches not only impacted big names like AT&T and Dell, but they also highlighted the growing risk for businesses of all sizes, including yours.
Let’s look at five of the largest breaches in 2024 and, more importantly, what your business can learn to stay protected.
1. National Public Data Breach
In 2024, National Public Data, a background check and data-brokering company, reported a breach that exposed the sensitive information of approximately 2.7 billion individuals. Hackers gained access to records that included Social Security numbers, home addresses, and other personally identifiable information (PII). Much of this data was posted on the dark web, and although some records may have been outdated or incomplete, the potential for identity theft remains enormous.
What You Can Do: Monitor your credit and freeze it if necessary to protect against unauthorized access. Businesses should implement stronger encryption practices and ensure PII is always secured and limited to essential access. Find out if you were exposed here!
2. Ticketmaster: 560 Million Users Exposed
Ticketmaster made headlines when it revealed that the personal and financial information of over 560 million users had been compromised. The breach occurred over a two-month period and led to unauthorized transactions for many victims. Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation, was already embroiled in a lawsuit for anticompetitive practices, further complicating the company’s position after the breach.
What You Can Do: Regularly review your financial transactions for any suspicious activity. For businesses, ensure your payment systems are secure, and regularly audit third-party vendors and service providers to ensure they maintain high cybersecurity standards.
3. Change Healthcare: A Healthcare Wake-Up Call
In February 2024, Change Healthcare suffered one of the biggest breaches in healthcare history, with over 145 million people affected. The ransomware attack exposed medical records, Social Security numbers, and other critical data. This breach prompted healthcare providers and insurers to rethink their cybersecurity practices, given the sensitive nature of medical data.
What You Can Do: For individuals, regularly monitor your healthcare accounts and communications. For businesses, especially in regulated industries like healthcare, it’s crucial to comply with data protection regulations and prioritize advanced security measures like encryption, multi-factor authentication, and endpoint security.
4. AT&T: 73 Million Customers Compromised
In March 2024, AT&T reported a breach that affected 73 million current and former customers. Hackers obtained Social Security numbers, account details, and other sensitive information. This breach was linked to attacks dating back to 2019, highlighting the importance of regularly updating security protocols.
What You Can Do: Regularly update passwords and use multi-factor authentication for your accounts. Businesses need to maintain up-to-date software, patch vulnerabilities, and ensure that sensitive data like Social Security numbers are stored securely and accessed only when absolutely necessary.
5. Dell Breach Exposes 49 Million Records
In May 2024, Dell became a victim of a brute-force attack when hackers infiltrated the client portals of a reseller. This resulted in the exposure of 49 million customer records, including names, payment details, and other sensitive information. This attack highlighted the importance of securing third-party relationships and access points.
What You Can Do: Always ensure that any third-party vendors or partners have strong cybersecurity measures in place. For businesses, employ rigorous security testing and verification protocols for all external partners who access your systems.
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 may have targeted large corporations, small and midsize businesses are far from off the radar. In fact, SMBs are increasingly becoming prime targets for cyber-attacks because they often lack the robust security measures that larger organizations have. Cybercriminals are aware of this, and a single breach could cost your business thousands in downtime, lost data, and reputational damage.
Protect Your Business With A FREE Security Risk Assessment
If these breaches have you reconsidering your cybersecurity, you’re not alone. The best defense is a proactive one. We are offering a FREE Security Risk Assessment to evaluate your network for potential vulnerabilities. Our cybersecurity experts will assess your systems, patch any security gaps, and ensure your business is fortified against potential attacks.
Click here to schedule your FREE Security Risk Assessment. Or call us at (702) 879-7111 to get started today. Protect your business and ensure a secure future.