Cybercriminals have been busy in 2024, with some significant data breaches targeting major companies across various industries. From healthcare giants to tech platforms, no sector is fully shielded from the threat. For small and midsize businesses (SMBs), the lessons from these breaches are clear: understanding these incidents can help you stay vigilant against similar threats. Let’s break down five of the most prominent data breaches this year and explore actionable steps to protect your business.
1. National Public Data Exposure
Earlier this year, a notorious hacking group claimed access to 2.7 billion records from a public data brokerage site, compromising sensitive information like Social Security numbers, addresses, and more. Despite questions around the data's accuracy, as the combined populations of the countries listed amount to only about half a billion, this breach emphasizes the need for vigilance in protecting personal information. For businesses and individuals alike, credit freezes and regular monitoring of financial accounts are essential steps to limit exposure to identity theft and fraud.
2. Ticketmaster’s Database Compromise
A major breach at Ticketmaster in April and May led to the exposure of sensitive data for over 560 million customers, including payment information and contact details. With multiple victims reporting unauthorized transactions, this breach has highlighted gaps in the company's data protection and contributed to the legal troubles facing Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation. For SMBs, the takeaway is clear: reinforcing payment processing security and safeguarding customer information are critical steps in building and maintaining trust.
3. Change Healthcare Ransomware Attack
One of the largest healthcare data breaches in history struck Change Healthcare in February, affecting more than 145 million people. This ransomware attack compromised medical records, Social Security numbers, and other personal information, urging healthcare providers and insurers to reconsider their cybersecurity strategies. For small businesses in healthcare and other sectors handling sensitive information, this incident underscores the importance of proactive ransomware defense and employee training to spot phishing threats.
4. AT&T Customer Data Breach
AT&T experienced a massive data breach in March, affecting around 73 million customers. This breach, tied to data as far back as 2019, exposed Social Security numbers, account details, and security codes, leading to increased scrutiny and potential class-action lawsuits. The lesson for SMBs? It is crucial to have data retention policies and a robust incident response plan. Even if your customer base is smaller, any breach could have significant consequences.
5. Dell’s Security Breach via Brute Force Attack
In May, Dell faced a brute-force attack that compromised 49 million records by accessing a reseller’s client portal. Sensitive information like customer names, payment details, and account information was exposed. This breach has heightened awareness around the importance of secure authentication and the risks of compromised vendor systems. For SMBs, ensuring strong passwords and multi-factor authentication for all access points is a practical step toward a more resilient security posture.
How Should You Respond to These Alarming Trends?
For individuals and businesses alike, data breaches are a growing concern. If you’ve been affected by a breach, start by freezing your credit and monitoring your financial accounts. Websites like https://haveibeenpwned.com can help you determine if your email has been compromised.
What’s the Risk for Small Businesses?
While these breaches have hit big companies, small and midsize businesses are not immune. In fact, SMBs are often seen as easier targets due to limited cybersecurity resources. A data breach could lead to significant losses from downtime, lost data, and reputational damage.
If these breaches raise concerns about your business’s security, now is the time to act. We offer a FREE Cyber Security Risk Assessment to identify vulnerabilities in your network and recommend ways to bolster your defenses. Our team will work with you to ensure your business is prepared against cyber threats.
Don’t let your business become a statistic. Click here to schedule your FREE Cyber Security Risk Assessment today or call us at 281-646-1200.
