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Recent Data Breaches You Should Know About - August 2019

Recent Data Breaches You Should Know About - August 2019

Record-Breaking Cyberattack Affects Canadian Credit Card Holders

“Cyber Criminals Love Small Businesses”

Recent data released by CIRA’s 2018 Cybersecurity Survey Report revealed nearly three-quarters of reported data breaches in Canada are targeted towards small businesses. In addition, of the 500 business owners and IT-related employees who responded, one-third indicated the time and resources associated with cyberattacks bore the largest impact on their day-to-day operations. 88% of those surveyed also stated concern about future attacks, with an additional 28% expressing an interest in recruiting extra cybersecurity-based staff over the next 12 months.

Canadian Cyber Security Breaches

Record-Breaking Cyberattack Affects Canadian Credit Card Holders

August revealed one of the largest cybersecurity breaches in Canadian history after an attack on financial giant Capital One compromised the personal information of roughly 106 million credit card users across North America. Of the approximate six million Canadians concerned (those who have received a Capital One card between 2005 and 2019), it is predicted that at least one million social insurance numbers were exposed along with names, incomes, birthdates, addresses, phone numbers and more (this number includes both individuals and small businesses).

In response to the data hack, Capital One is committed to notifying affected individuals and organizations via various means of communication, as well as providing free credit monitoring and identity theft services.

Other News for August:

Canada Launches CyberSecure Canada Program

In response to concerns from small and medium-sized Canadian businesses, the federal government launched the CyberSecure Canada Program – an initiative aimed at boosting cybersecurity among businesses as well as confidence among consumers. Beginning August 2019, small to medium businesses can now receive a certification from a federally governed body that proves they meet minimum cybersecurity standards.

Once certified, participating organizations can display an approved logo on their sites and will be listed on a searchable, federal registry that verifies their commitment to cybersecurity standards.

Other Breaches:

Below are other notable, global cybersecurity breaches for August:

Untitled design (18)

 

Name of the Organization

Type of Exploitation

Type of Company

Location

Amertias

Phishing Attack

Insurance Company

Lincoln, NE, US

Washoe County School District

Unauthorized Database Access

Public School District

Washoe Country, NV, US

Georgia Department of Public Safety

Ransomware

Government Agency

GA, US

Los Angeles Police Department

Unauthorized Database Access

Police Agency

Los Angeles, LA, US

Poshmark

Unauthorized Database Access

Social Commerce Marketplace

US

City of Lodi

Ransomware

Municipality

Lodi, CA, US

University of York

Unauthorized Database Access

Public Research University

UK

Sephora

Unauthorized Database Access

Personal Care and Beauty Provider

France

City of Naples

Phishing Attack

Municipality

Naples, FL, US

Broken Arrow Public School

Ransomware

School District

Broken Arrow, OK, US

Presbyterian Health Services

Phishing Attack

Healthcare Provider

US

Earnin

Malware Attack

Mobile Finance App

US

Indian Prairie School District

Unauthorized Database Access

School District

Aurora, IL, US

Oyster

Credential Stuffing Attack

Transit Smartcard System

UK

Air New Zealand

Phishing Attack

Airline

New Zealand

New Zealand Institute of Doctors

Unauthorized Database Access

Professional Organization

New Zealand

Grays Harbor Community Hospital

Ransomware

Healthcare Provider

US

National Baseball Hall of Fame

Malicious Code Script

History Museum

US

Camp Verde Unified School District

Ransomware

School District

Camp Verde, AZ, US

Hy-Vee

Unauthorized Database Access

Supermarket Chain

US

Choice Hotels

Ransomware

Hotel Chain

US

Tribal Group PLC

Unauthorized Database Access

Educational Software Provider

Australia

European Central Bank

Unauthorized Database Access

Central Bank

Germany

Rhode Island Ear, Nose, and Throat Physicians Inc.

Unauthorized Database Access

Healthcare Provider

RI, US

Massachusetts General Hospital

Unauthorized Database Access

Teaching Hospital

Boston, MA, US

City of Borger

Ransomware

Municipality

Borger, TX, US

Fargo Public Schools

Unauthorized Database Access

School District

Fargo, NODAK, US

Tivoli

Intelligent Brute Force Attack

Amusement Park

Denmark

Fanatec

Unauthorized Database Access

Gaming Peripheral Marketer and Distributor

Germany

New Payments Platform Australia

Exposed Database

Payment Platform

Australia

Astro Malaysia Holdings

Unauthorized Database Access

Media Holding Company

Malaysia

 

As one of Calgary’s top-rated IT service providers, GAM Tech specializes in delivering “big business” managed IT services to small and medium-sized organizations in Alberta and beyond. From disaster recovery and cloud solutions to VCIO services and strategic around-the-clock network security, GAM Tech has reliable, affordable solutions to keep you up and running. 

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