Cybersecurity

2023, Not the Greatest Year for Cybersecurity Management

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Join me on this walk down memory lane to discuss some of the biggest data breaches and 2023 cybersecurity trends and failures.

Please join me on this walk down memory lane to discuss some of the biggest data breaches and cyberattacks, and 2023 cybersecurity trends we’ve had the misfortune of dealing with this year.

2023 has been a rollercoaster of a year for the cybersecurity sector. I don’t know whether to be impressed or increasingly worried about our security. While ethical hacking is an option, it’s not everyone’s favorite. And the 830 or so cyberattacks we’ve seen this year attest to that.

1. Scattered Twitter

Starting our year off strong with the Twitter (now known as X) leaks. Hackers have leaked records of 235 million Twitter accounts, including the email addresses used to register them. These records were likely compiled in late 2021 and were posted on an online hacking forum. At the time, Twitter chose to ignore the hacker rather than pay him. So, he published the emails, compromising a number of individuals. Do with THAT information as you will.

2. Wrecked Background Checks

Then in February, PeopleConnect, the organization responsible for background check services like TruthFinder and Checkmate, experienced a data breach. A 2019 backup database was leaked by criminal hackers, affecting 20 million individuals. The compromised data includes email addresses, hashed passwords, first and last names, and full names. I really hope stalkers out there are tech-incompetent.

3. Grand Theft Loans

Latitude Financial, a Melbourne-based company providing personal loans and credit cards in Australia and New Zealand, experienced the largest confirmed data breach, affecting over 14 million records. It resulted in the theft of:

  • 8 million driver’s licenses
  • 53,000 passport numbers
  • Numerous monthly financial statements
  • 6 million records

4. Burglary ID

A cybercriminal accessed the system of Shields Health Care Group, a Massachusetts-based medical services provider, affecting 2.3 million individuals. The breach compromised Social Security numbers, dates of birth, home addresses, healthcare provider information, healthcare history, billing information, insurance numbers, and other financial details. Identity theft made easy…

5. Shoeing Boeing

Ransomware group LockBit breached the aerospace giant Boeing and threatened to release sensitive data if ransom demands aren’t met by November 2. The group states that a significant amount of sensitive data has been exfiltrated and is ready for release if Boeing doesn’t comply. LockBit alleges it accessed Boeing’s systems through a zero-day vulnerability. Boeing has confirmed the breach but has yet to disclose the extent of the damage. That is not good…

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. I just want to know one thing: How is it, that Boeing, of all companies, has very sensitive information. How does one hack them?

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