Not the Greatest Year for Cybersecurity Management
The cybersecurity management landscape in 2023 has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by a series of major data breaches and cyberattacks.
- This year’s cybersecurity incidents have raised questions about the security of even the most sensitive information, such as that held by Boeing.
2023 has been a rollercoaster of a year for the cybersecurity sector. I don’t know whether to be impressed or increasingly worried about companies’ cybersecurity management and 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.
So, please join me on this walk down memory lane to discuss some of the biggest data breaches and cyberattacks we’ve had the misfortune of dealing with this year.
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 that compromise a number of individuals. Do with THAT information as you will.
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.
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
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…
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? Boeing of all companies has very sensitive information. HOW DOES ONE HACK THEM?
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