The Top 5 Data Breaches Of 2024 and What You Need to Know About Them

This year has seen a surge in cybercriminal activity, with several high-profile data breaches making headlines and costing companies millions. But what can small businesses learn from these events? Let’s recap five of the most significant breaches of 2024 and discuss how Framework IT can help keep your business protected.

Side view of hands on keyboard, internet security and data protection concept

Small Business Aren’t Immune to Cybercrime

From healthcare giants to project management platforms, no industry is immune to the risks that cybercrime poses. In a year where this threat continued to rise and threaten businesses, there were significant cases that cost companies millions of dollars—and we’ll cover them soon.

But what do these breaches mean for small to midsize businesses like yours? It’s fairly simple: though your business may look different, the same vulnerabilities exist, and the consequences of not addressing them can be catastrophic.

So, let’s break down the most significant breaches of 2024 and how you can keep your business out of similar disastrous situations with the help of Framework IT.

#1: National Public Data

A couple of months ago, a hacking group claimed to have stolen 2.7 billion personal records from a background checking and public data-brokering site. The data includes sensitive information like Social Security numbers, addresses and more.

Portions of the data have been released on the dark web, though experts are still evaluating its accuracy, as the combined populations of the countries listed amount to only about half a billion. However, it’s likely that many Social Security numbers have been compromised.

Since this breach affects so many people, everyone now has an incentive to monitor their financial and online identities closely, and it’s imperative that they do so immediately. A practical step is freezing your credit with the major credit reporting agencies to protect against identity theft and unfreezing it when needed for activities like applying for loans or credit cards.

Find out if you were exposed here.

#2: Ticketmaster

A significant data breach at Ticketmaster exposed the personal and financial information of over 560 million customers, exposing serious flaws in Ticketmaster’s security and raising concerns among consumers.

Hackers accessed the company’s database during April and May, stealing sensitive details such as names, e-mails, phone numbers and payment information. Many victims even reported unauthorized transactions and identity theft following the incident.

Additionally, this breach added to the legal troubles of Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation, which was already facing a lawsuit from the US Department of Justice for anticompetitive practices.

#3: Change Healthcare

In February 2024, Change Healthcare was hit by a massive ransomware attack that exposed the personal information of over 145 million people. This breach, one of the largest in health care history, compromised sensitive data, including names, addresses, Social Security numbers and medical records.

The incident had far-reaching effects on patients, healthcare providers and insurance companies, prompting many in the healthcare industry to reconsider their cybersecurity strategies to prevent similar attacks in the future.

Discover how cybersecurity consulting from Framework IT can help you rethink your approach to securing your business and its sensitive data.

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#4: AT&T

In March, AT&T was the victim of a data breach that compromised the personal information of approximately 73 million current and former customers. This giant breach included sensitive data such as Social Security numbers, account details and passcodes.

The breach was linked to data from as far back as 2019, which surfaced on the dark web in March 2024. This incident is part of a series of attacks on AT&T, following a 2023 breach that impacted 9 million users.

In response, AT&T launched an investigation to contain the malware while maintaining services for current customers. The breach has also opened the company up to the possibility of multiple class action lawsuits.

While you may not manage millions of customers like AT&T, your business can still fall victim to cyberattacks. It’s crucial to protect your network by implementing robust security measures, training employees on password and phishing prevention, and maintaining an active cybersecurity strategy.

#5: Dell

In May, Dell experienced a security breach when a hacker known as Menelik used a brute-force attack to infiltrate one of their resellers’ client portals. This breach exposed 49 million records containing sensitive data, including customer names, e-mail addresses, payment information and account details.

The incident sparked significant concerns about Dell’s cybersecurity practices, leading the company to issue a public apology and pledge to enhance its security protocols. In response to the breach, Dell has faced increased regulatory scrutiny and may encounter legal challenges as more details about the impact emerge.

What Does This Mean for You?

Framework IT has several blogs on what to do if you’re affected by a data breach, but the most important action is to freeze your credit and check your bank account. Websites like www.haveIbeenpwnd.com can tell you if your e-mail has been exposed in a breach.

While these breaches happened to major players, it’s important to note again that small to midsize businesses are far from off the radar. In fact, SMBs are increasingly targeted because they often lack the robust security measures that larger companies have.

Cybercriminals know this, and the stakes couldn’t be higher: a single breach could cost your business thousands in downtime, lost data and damaged reputation.

Protect Your Business With A Free Security Risk Assessment From Framework IT

If these stories have you thinking about your own vulnerabilities, that’s a good thing. The best defense is a proactive one, and Framework IT is offering a free security risk assessment to evaluate your network for potential risks.

Our experts will assess your system’s vulnerabilities, help you patch the holes and ensure your business is fortified against attacks. Don’t wait until you’re the next headline—get your risk assessment today! Click here to schedule or call our office at 312-564-5446.