In today’s world, data is as good as gold, so it is not shocking that hackers are now after such vital information more than ever.
Be it financial records or confidential chats, hackers have been able to access and manipulate millions upon millions of them in recent years.
These massive data breaches serve as a lesson on the importance of cyber security and offer some insight on improving data protection measures.
1. Equifax (2017): The Cost of Ignoring Software Updates
The 2017 breach of Equifax, one of the top credit bureaus, led to the exposure of SSNs, birth dates and other private information for 147 million individuals. The reason? Equifax failed to timely patch an identified software vulnerability.
Key Lessons
- Stay Up to Date on Patches: Regular software updates could have prevented this breach. Business owners must thus remain vigilant in updating their systems.
- Only Keep What You Need: Storing large amounts of data increases the risk. However, the risk is minimized in case of a breach if you collect and store only what is strictly necessary.
- Watch Out for Third-Party Risks: The weakness in Equifax was actually a vulnerability in some third-party tool which they had utilized. It is important to screen and oversee the safety of third party vendors and tools and use only reliable solutions like Moonlock antimalware.
2. Marriott International (2014-2018): A Risky Merger Surprise
In 2018, Marriott found out that cyber criminals had accessed Starwood’s reservations database, which they had bought two years earlier, over the previous four years. This breach resulted in the exposure of customer information for 500 million people, such as names, addresses, and even passport numbers.
Key Lessons
- Check Security in Acquisitions: Planning to merge with another company? If so, ensure that you have looked at their security very closely.
- Network Segmentation: Had Marriott maintained the segregation of Starwood’s system until they were certain about its safety, perhaps they would have reduced the harm.
- Ongoing Security Audits: Despite a merger, regular security checks can still detect weaknesses and prevent them from being exploited.
3. Facebook (2019): Internal Oversights and Privacy Risks
During the year 2019, Facebook underwent various challenges relating to the safety of the data. Passwords for millions of accounts were stored in plain text and third-party apps could get user information without permission.
Key Lessons
- Store Passwords Properly: It is important to ensure that sensitive information such as passwords is not kept in plain text. Encryption and hashing are necessary for the protection of data from unauthorized users.
- Educate Users on Privacy: Users should be able to determine the people that see their data by understanding and controlling privacy settings on social media platforms.
- Keep an Eye on Third-Party Access: Facebook’s issues indicate that it is crucial to control and monitor the information that other applications can get from the users.
4. Capital One (2019): The Dangers of Misconfigured Cloud Storage
In 2019, a hacker managed to break through the firewalls of Capital One’s cloud storage and accessed more than 100 million records. This incident highlights the danger posed by insecurely configured cloud storages.
Key Lessons
- Secure Cloud Configurations: With the increasing number of companies migrating to the cloud, it is important to observe the best practices in cloud security, such as being cautious with access.
- Train Staff on Cloud Security: To prevent errors such as misconfigurations, workers must be aware of the security dangers related to cloud computing.
- Monitor for Unusual Activity: Misconfigurations in cloud environments can be detected early through regular monitoring for any signs of suspicious activities.
5. SolarWinds (2020): A Wake-Up Call on Supply Chain Attacks
SolarWinds breach was a complex cyberattack in which hackers placed malware in software updates for SolarWinds clients, such as U.S. government agencies and large companies.
Key Lessons
- Secure the Development Process: The attack by SolarWinds indicates that it is important for organizations to ensure a secure software development lifecycle, including code reviews and threat detection.
- Zero Trust Is Key: The implementation of a Zero Trust model, which assumes that no device or user is inherently trustworthy, could mitigate damages resulting from an attack.
- Plan for Redundancy: In case one sector is attacked, the operation can still continue with the help of backup systems.
In Summary
The vital lessons exposed by these large-scale data breaches should be seriously considered by all. Security is not something that can be left alone – it requires ongoing effort, vigilance, and smart practices. From prompt patching to careful monitoring and secure cloud configurations, there are actionable steps that can help prevent similar breaches in the future. Such measures taken will prevent other similar attacks in future.
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