The Top 5 Data Breaches Of 2024 And What You Should Know

This year, cybercriminals have been relentless, with several high-profile data breaches making waves and costing companies millions. From major healthcare providers to popular project management tools, no sector has been spared from these threats. But what does this mean for small and mid-sized businesses? The same risks apply, and failing to address them could have severe impacts.

Here’s a rundown of five of the most impactful breaches of 2024 so far, along with tips on how your business can stay secure.

1. National Public Data Breach
   
   A few months back, a hacking group claimed to have accessed 2.7 billion personal records from a site specializing in background checks and public data brokerage. The stolen information includes sensitive data like Social Security numbers, addresses, and more. While parts of this data have been leaked on the dark web, experts are still verifying its accuracy, given that the combined population of the affected countries is only about half a billion. Nevertheless, it’s likely that many Social Security numbers have been compromised.
   
   With so many individuals potentially impacted, it’s crucial for everyone to actively monitor their financial and online security. One effective step is to freeze your credit, which can help prevent identity theft; you can easily unfreeze it if you need to apply for a loan or credit card. Check here to see if your data may have been part of the breach!


2. Ticketmaster Breach
   
   Ticketmaster experienced a major data breach, compromising the personal and financial information of more than 560 million customers. Between April and May, hackers infiltrated the company’s database, extracting sensitive information such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, and payment details. This incident highlighted critical security gaps within Ticketmaster’s systems, leading to a wave of consumer concerns. Many affected individuals reported unauthorized charges and cases of identity theft as a result. The breach has also intensified legal issues for Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation, which is already under scrutiny in a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit over alleged anticompetitive behavior.


3. Change Healthcare Breach
   
   In February 2024, Change Healthcare fell victim to a large-scale ransomware attack, compromising the personal data of over 145 million individuals. This breach, among the most extensive in healthcare history, exposed highly sensitive information such as names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and medical records. The impact was widespread, affecting patients, healthcare providers, and insurance companies alike. In response, many organizations within the healthcare sector are now re-evaluating their cybersecurity measures to guard against similar attacks going forward.


4. AT&T Data Breach
   
   In March 2024, AT&T suffered a significant data breach affecting approximately 73 million current and former customers. This breach exposed sensitive data, including Social Security numbers, account details, and passcodes, with some compromised information dating back to 2019 appearing on the dark web. This incident follows a previous breach in 2023 that impacted 9 million customers. In response, AT&T initiated an investigation to address the malware threat while ensuring service continuity for its customers. The company now faces potential class action lawsuits due to the breach.
   
   Even if your business doesn’t manage millions of accounts like AT&T, it’s still vulnerable to cyber threats. Protecting your network with strong security protocols, educating employees on password security and phishing risks, and keeping an updated cybersecurity plan are essential steps in reducing risk.


5. Dell Breach
   
   In May 2024, Dell fell victim to a security breach when a hacker, identified as Menelik, used a brute-force attack to gain access to a reseller’s client portal. This attack exposed 49 million records, including sensitive customer data such as names, email addresses, payment information, and account details. The breach raised serious concerns about Dell’s cybersecurity measures, prompting the company to issue a public apology and commit to strengthening its security practices. As a result, Dell is facing heightened regulatory scrutiny and may face legal challenges as more details of the breach come to light.

What Does This Mean for You Personally?

We've covered steps to take if you’re affected by a data breach in previous blogs, but the most critical actions are to freeze your credit and monitor your bank accounts closely. You can also use websites like www.haveIbeenpwned.com to check if your email has been exposed in any breaches.

What Does This Mean for Your Business?

While these breaches have targeted large corporations, small and mid-sized businesses are far from exempt. In fact, SMBs are increasingly attractive to cybercriminals due to often weaker security measures compared to larger organizations. Cybercriminals are well aware of this vulnerability, and the risks are significant: a single breach can result in thousands in downtime, lost data, and a damaged reputation for your business.

Protect Your Business with a FREE IT Systems Assessment

If these breaches have made you consider your own business vulnerabilities, you're on the right track. The most effective defense is a proactive approach. We’re offering a FREE IT Systems Assessment to identify potential risks within your network. Our experts will evaluate your system, help you address any security gaps, and ensure your business is protected from cyberattacks.

Don’t wait until you become the next headline—schedule your FREE IT Systems Assessment today! Click here to book it, or call us at 704-470-9009.