Recent Cyber Security Breaches: Whirlpool, T-Mobile and more

Monica Morris • January 7, 2021

As a managed IT service provider it is important to us to make sure to stay in know about the latest cyber security breaches. Every few weeks we like to share our findings with you here on our blog. Please take a peek below to learn more about some of the most recent cyber attacks here and around the world.

T-Mobile (United States)

Mobile Device Network Provider

The Hack: Hacking

Quick Summary: “T-Mobile has found itself embroiled in a “malicious hacking incident” that has resulted in data exposure for an estimated 200,000 clients. The company said in a statement that Customer proprietary network information (CPNI) was accessed and may have included phone numbers, the number of lines on the account and call-related information.” -ID Agent

Whirlpool (United States)

Appliance Manufacturer

The Hack: Ransomware

Quick Summary: “The Nefilim ransomware gang struck at Whirlpool, stealing data but not impacting manufacturing operations. The gang claims that the files it published were obtained from Whirlpool during a ransomware attack in December 2020. The leaked data appeared to be proprietary and staff information including documents related to employee benefits, accommodation requests, medical information requests, background checks, and more.” -ID Agent

The Hospital Group (United Kingdom)

Private Cosmetic Surgery Services

The Hack: Ransomware

Quick Summary: “The REvil ransomware gang is claiming responsibility for a data breach at celebrity plastic surgery clinic chain The Hospital Group. The ransomware operators say that they’ve hacked essential data storage systems and have threatened to release before-and-after pictures of celebrity clients from their stash of more than 600 GB of data if the ransom is not paid, but no word on how much they’re asking for.” -ID Agent

Symrise (Germany)

Flavor and Fragrance Producer

The Hack: Ransomware

Quick Summary: “Clop ransomware disrupted operations at one of the world’s largest manufacturers of flavors and scents. Allegedly, bad actors breached security through ransomware, stole 500 GB of unencrypted files, and encrypted close to 1,000 devices. Production was temporarily shut down but most systems have been restored.” -ID Agent

Aetna (United States)

Insurance Company

The Hack: Malicious Insider

Quick Summary: “Aetna is in hot water after a debacle that involved a contractor BEC and phishing in an explosive insider incident. On Sept. 28, Aetna was informed that an EyeMed email account was accessed by an unauthorized individual and that phishing emails were sent to addresses contained in the mailbox. The email account contained information about individuals who previously or currently receive vision-related services through EyeMed, including Aetna customers.” -ID Agent

Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Scotland)

National Environmental Regulatory Authority

The Hack: Hacking

Quick Summary: “A hacking incident at SEPA has left some services offline but not severely impacted important data or functions. The Christamas Eve attack knocked communication into and across the organization offline, but core regulatory, monitoring, flood forecasting, and warning services continued unimpeded. The incident is under investigation, and complete restoration is anticipated quickly.” -ID Agent

To learn more about how to keep your company safe and secure, click  here  to explore our San Diego IT Services & IT Security plans that are offered by SDTEK.

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In today’s interconnected digital landscape, cybersecurity is more than just a necessity—it's essential to business survival. Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and evolving in sophistication, leaving companies vulnerable to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage. A robust cybersecurity strategy is critical to safeguarding your business from these growing threats. One of the most effective ways to enhance your cybersecurity defenses is by leveraging the expertise of professional IT support services. The Importance of a Strong Cybersecurity Strategy Every business, regardless of size or industry, is a potential target for cybercriminals. The consequences of a successful cyberattack can be devastating, ranging from financial losses and operational downtime to legal liabilities and damage to your brand's reputation. This is why developing and maintaining a robust cybersecurity strategy is more important than ever. A strong cybersecurity strategy helps your business: Protect sensitive data: Safeguarding customer information, intellectual property, and financial records. Ensure compliance: Meet regulatory requirements, such as CMMC, HIPAA, and SOC2, to avoid fines and legal repercussions. Maintain business continuity: Minimizing disruptions caused by cyberattacks and ensuring quick recovery when incidents occur. Build customer trust: Demonstrating to customers and partners that their data is secure, which can lead to stronger relationships and business growth. While some businesses attempt to handle cybersecurity internally, IT support services offer a more comprehensive, proactive, and scalable approach to protecting your business. Cybersecurity Services Provided by IT Support Teams IT support services can significantly enhance your cybersecurity strategy by offering a wide range of specialized services. Here’s how they contribute to protecting your business: 1. Risk Assessments and Vulnerability Audits One of the first steps in strengthening your cybersecurity strategy is understanding where your business is most vulnerable. IT support teams conduct risk assessments and vulnerability audits to identify potential weaknesses in your network, applications, and infrastructure. These assessments provide a clear picture of your business's risks, enabling you to take targeted action to mitigate those risks. 2. Implementation of Security Protocols Once vulnerabilities are identified, IT support services implement security protocols tailored to your business’s needs. This may include: Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Establishing barriers that prevent unauthorized access to your network. Data Encryption: Ensuring that sensitive data is encrypted in transit and at rest, protecting it from cybercriminals. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adding extra authentication layers ensures that only authorized personnel can access critical systems and data. Endpoint Protection: Securing all devices (laptops, desktops, mobile phones) connected to your network from malware and other threats. Applying these and other security measures can help IT support services fortify your defenses against internal and external threats. 3. Ongoing Monitoring and Threat Detection Cyberattacks can happen at any time and often occur when businesses are least prepared. IT support services provide 24/7 monitoring to detect suspicious activity in real-time. Through advanced monitoring tools and threat intelligence, IT teams can quickly identify and respond to potential threats before they escalate into full-scale attacks. This proactive approach to monitoring reduces downtime, prevents data breaches, and minimizes the impact of cyber incidents. IT support teams can continuously update and patch systems to address emerging vulnerabilities, ensuring your cybersecurity defenses remain current. 4. Incident Response and Remediation Even with robust security measures, no system is entirely immune to cyberattacks. When an incident occurs, the speed and efficiency of the response are critical in minimizing damage. IT support teams are equipped with incident response protocols to quickly isolate affected systems, investigate the root cause, and restore normal operations. With a well-coordinated incident response plan, businesses can significantly reduce downtime, prevent further data loss, and recover quickly from attacks. 5. Security Awareness Training for Employees Employees are often the weakest link in cybersecurity, with many attacks originating from phishing schemes, weak passwords, or social engineering. IT support services provide security awareness training to educate your staff about the latest cyber threats and best practices for staying safe online. Training employees on recognizing phishing attempts, using strong passwords, and securely handling sensitive data can dramatically reduce the likelihood of human error leading to a security breach. 6. Compliance Support For businesses in regulated industries, staying compliant with data protection regulations is not optional—it’s mandatory. IT support teams can help ensure your business meets all necessary compliance requirements, such as CMMC, HIPAA, or SOC2. This includes maintaining audit trails, ensuring data encryption, and implementing security controls to protect sensitive information. By working with IT support services, businesses can avoid costly penalties and demonstrate their commitment to protecting customer data. Conclusion A strong cybersecurity strategy is vital to any business's success in today’s digital world. By partnering with an IT support service, businesses can enhance their cybersecurity defenses through risk assessments, security protocol implementation, continuous monitoring, and employee training. These services protect data and help ensure business continuity and compliance with industry regulations. If your business wants to strengthen its cybersecurity posture, now is the time to consider working with an IT support provider. Doing so lets you stay ahead of evolving cyber threats and focus on growing your business with peace of mind. Ready To Strengthen Your Cybersecurity With SDTEK? Don't leave your business vulnerable to cyber threats. At SDTEK, we offer comprehensive IT support and managed cybersecurity services designed to protect your business and ensure seamless operations. Whether you need risk assessments, ongoing monitoring, or incident response, our team of experts is here to help. Contact SDTEK today for a free consultation and discover how we can enhance your cybersecurity strategy and safeguard your business. Protect your data, reputation, and future—partner with SDTEK now!
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