2024 Marks Record-Breaking Year for Data Breaches, Over 1 Billion Records Stolen
In a year that has seen unprecedented levels of cybercrime, 2024 has emerged as a record-breaking period for data breaches, with over 1 billion records stolen. This surge in cyber attacks has not only impacted countless individuals but has also significantly empowered cybercriminals, raising concerns about data security on a global scale.
AT&T Suffers Double Data Breach Blow
Telecommunications giant AT&T faced two major data breaches this year, affecting millions of customers. In July, a breach involving phone numbers and call records from a Snowflake account exposed sensitive metadata, potentially putting high-risk individuals at greater risk. Earlier in March, a more severe incident compromised 73 million customer records, including encrypted passcodes. AT&T has responded with an ongoing investigation into the origins of these data leaks.
Change Healthcare Hack Disrupts U.S. Healthcare System
A ransomware attack on Change Healthcare in 2024 resulted in the theft of sensitive health data affecting a substantial portion of the American population. The attack, which exploited a vulnerability due to the lack of multi-factor authentication, led to widespread disruptions in healthcare services across the country, with consequences still unfolding.
Synnovis Ransomware Attack Impacts London Healthcare
In June, Synnovis, a pathology lab in London, fell victim to a cyberattack that disrupted patient services and led to the declaration of a critical incident. A Russia-based ransomware gang claimed responsibility for the attack and data theft. Synnovis’ refusal to pay the ransom has raised questions about potential government intervention.
Snowflake Data Breaches Affect Major Companies
A series of data thefts from Snowflake, a cloud computing company, has impacted numerous major corporations. Cybercriminals used stolen credentials to access vast amounts of customer data from companies including Ticketmaster and Advance Auto Parts. Cybersecurity firm Mandiant has released a report detailing the extent of compromised Snowflake customers.
Other Notable Breaches
Several other significant data breaches have occurred in 2024, including Cencora’s February incident affecting over a million patients, MediSecure’s ransomware attack impacting half of Australia’s population, and Kaiser’s inadvertent sharing of health data with advertisers. The U.S. Postal Service faced scrutiny for improper data sharing with tech giants, while Evolve Bank’s ransomware attack affected numerous fintech customers. National Public Data filed for bankruptcy following a massive data breach.
As the year progresses, cybersecurity experts are calling for enhanced prevention strategies and increased vigilance to combat the rising tide of data breaches and protect sensitive information.