You or someone you know probably received a letter in the past year breaking the news to you: your confidential information *may* have been exposed in a breach.
Massachusetts saw a roughly 6% decrease in data breaches from 2023 to 2024, according to the Attorney General’s website. Despite a decrease, there were still millions of Massachusetts residents affected by the 2,290 that were successful.
The financial sector was heavily targeted in 2024, with numerous banks and credit unions reporting breaches. For instance, Rockland Trust Company experienced multiple breaches throughout the year. Similarly, smaller, local banks and credit unions also reported several incidents, including breaches that compromised sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and financial account details.
Healthcare providers were not spared, with several high-profile breaches reported. American Addiction Centers, Inc. reported a massive breach affecting over 115,000 individuals living in Massachusetts, compromising sensitive health information. Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport faced a significant breach affecting over 81,000 Massachusetts residents.
Government agencies and educational institutions were also targeted. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation reported breaches that exposed sensitive information. The Ohio Lottery also had a breach affecting around 150 Massachusetts residents.
Educational institutions like Greater Lowell Technical High School faced breaches that compromised student and staff data.
The year 2024 saw businesses adopt common-sense tools like two-factor authentication (2FA) to curb unwanted access. Yet, a good number of organizations still struggle to recognize when they’re leaving their door wide open. Consequently, customer data continues to be exposed by companies that either take shortcuts or fail to treat cybersecurity as a serious, tangible concern. As we move further into the 21st century, it’s imperative for companies to step up and prioritize robust cybersecurity measures.