2024’s Most Shocking Data Breaches and How to Protect Your Business
This year has been a stark reminder of the growing cyber threats facing organizations worldwide. With billions of sensitive records compromised, businesses and individuals alike are left scrambling to protect their information. As a trusted provider of SOC 2-compliant Managed IT services, Capital Network Solutions, Inc. (CNS) is here to break down 2024’s most significant data breaches and provide actionable tips to safeguard your data.
Notable Data Breaches in 2024
1. National Public Data: Over 2 Billion Records Stolen
What Happened: Hackers breached a leading background-check company’s systems in late 2023. By April 2024, over 2.7 billion records were leaked on the dark web.
Who Was Affected: Individuals in the US, Canada, and the UK.
Compromised Data: Full names, addresses, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and phone numbers.
2. Change Healthcare: 38 Million Records Exposed
What Happened: A Russian ransomware group infiltrated this UnitedHealth subsidiary due to a lack of multifactor authentication.
Who Was Affected: Approximately one-third of the US population, including patients and healthcare providers.
Compromised Data: Payment details, Social Security numbers, test results, and medical diagnoses.
3. AT&T Breaches: Two Strikes
What Happened: In separate incidents, hackers stole data on 73 million customers in March and breached Snowflake-stored AT&T data in July.
Who Was Affected: Over 110 million customers and potentially anyone contacted by AT&T users.
Compromised Data: Social Security numbers, phone numbers, and personal details.
4. Synnovis: 300 Million Patient Interactions Breached
What Happened: This UK-based pathology lab was attacked by ransomware, disrupting healthcare operations across London. Synnovis refused the $50 million ransom demand.
Who Was Affected: Millions of past and current patients in the UK.
Compromised Data: Blood test results for diseases like HIV and cancer.
5. Snowflake: 600 Million+ Records Exposed
What Happened: Hackers used stolen credentials to access Snowflake’s cloud system, impacting major clients such as Ticketmaster and Santander Bank.
Who Was Affected: Millions of customers from various sectors.
Compromised Data: Customer and corporate records, including financial details.
How to Protect Your Business and Personal Data
While you can’t control how other companies handle your data, you can mitigate risks by taking the following precautions:
Audit Your Accounts Regularly: Monitor bank statements, healthcare communications, and credit reports for unusual activity.
Enable Credit Freezes: Prevent unauthorized loans or credit cards in your name.
Update Credentials: Use strong, unique passwords and enable multifactor authentication wherever possible.
Beware of Phishing Scams: Verify emails and messages before clicking links or providing information.
Why Partner with Capital Network Solutions?
At CNS, we understand the stakes of protecting sensitive information in today’s digital age. Our SOC 2-compliant Managed IT services offer robust security solutions tailored for industries that handle critical data, including mortgage companies, CPAs, financial advisors, and property management firms. Here’s what sets us apart:
Unmatched Security Standards: Meet SOC 2 requirements for data protection.
Exceptional Support: Our team delivers industry-leading response times, with an average hold time of just 90 seconds.
Comprehensive Solutions: From cybersecurity services to IT management, we’ve got you covered.
Secure Your Business with CNS Today
Don’t let your organization become the next headline in a data breach report. Partner with Capital Network Solutions, Inc. to safeguard your business and ensure peace of mind.
Contact us today at www.callcns.com or call 916-365-4707 to learn more about our Managed IT services.
