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The Top 5 Data Breaches of 2024 and What You Need to Know

This year has seen a surge in cybercrime, with major data breaches affecting companies across industries. From healthcare to entertainment, no sector has been spared. But what do these incidents mean for small to midsize businesses in New Jersey, including areas like Edison, Freehold, and Newark? The vulnerabilities that enabled these breaches are also common among SMBs, and failing to address them could lead to severe consequences. Let’s recap five of the most impactful breaches of 2024 and explore how your business can stay secure.

  1. National Public Data

In one of the most massive data breaches to date, hackers accessed 2.7 billion records from a background-check and data-brokering site. This sensitive data includes Social Security numbers, addresses, and more, with some information surfacing on the dark web. The breach affects millions, urging all to monitor financial and online identities. To protect against identity theft, consider freezing your credit until needed. Concerned your data might have been exposed? Book a call with Titan Technologies for guidance on assessing your information’s security.

  1. Ticketmaster

Ticketmaster’s breach exposed over 560 million customers’ personal and financial information, including names, emails, and payment details. The incident, linked to unauthorized transactions and identity theft, has spotlighted Ticketmaster’s security shortcomings and added to its parent company Live Nation’s legal challenges. The lesson here? Even trusted companies can suffer breaches, emphasizing the need for vigilant cybersecurity strategies.

  1. Change Healthcare

February saw Change Healthcare face a ransomware attack compromising data from over 145 million individuals. As one of the largest healthcare breaches, it exposed personal and medical records, sparking industry-wide calls for stronger cybersecurity practices to protect sensitive data.

  1. AT&T

In March, AT&T experienced a data breach affecting 73 million customers. Data from as far back as 2019 surfaced on the dark web, leading to potential legal actions and heightening scrutiny of AT&T’s cybersecurity practices. While your business may not serve millions, this incident serves as a reminder to implement strong security measures and regularly update systems to fend off attacks.

  1. Dell

A breach in May exposed 49 million records, accessed through one of Dell’s resellers. Sensitive customer data, including emails and payment information, were compromised. In response, Dell pledged to improve its security measures. As a small or midsize business, reviewing vendor security practices is critical to ensure any third-party partnerships are equally secure.

What These Breaches Mean for You Personally

If you’re concerned about your data, the most critical step is freezing your credit and checking your accounts. Tools like [Have I Been Pwned] (https://haveibeenpwned.com) can help determine if your email has been compromised.

What These Breaches Mean for Your Business

Though these incidents impacted major companies, small to midsize businesses are increasingly targeted due to often lacking the advanced security measures of larger corporations. Criminals know this and exploit SMBs, leading to severe impacts like data loss, downtime, and reputational damage.

Protect Your Business with a FREE Security Risk Assessment

These breaches serve as a wake-up call to bolster your own defenses. Titan Technologies is offering a FREE Security Risk Assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities in your network. Our specialists will examine your system, recommend critical patches, and help strengthen your business against cyber threats.

Don’t wait until it’s too late—schedule your FREE Security Risk Assessment today! Click here to book or call our office at 732-972-6665.

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