The year 2024 has been marked by some of the most significant data breaches in history, exposing billions of records and costing organizations billions of dollars.
From healthcare to finance, no sector has been immune to cyberattacks.Â
We officialy are in 2025 but it is always good to take lessons from the past, here we will explore the biggest data breaches of 2024, identifying the reason behind them, and how they were settled.Â
Common vs. Less Common Reasons for Data Breaches in 2024
| Reason for Breach | Frequency | Examples of Breaches |
| Lack of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) | Most Common | Change Healthcare, AT&T (Snowflake breach), Ticketmaster, Snowflake Cloud Breaches |
| Third-Party Vulnerabilities | Common | AT&T (Snowflake breach), Dell, Blue Yonder Supply Chain Attack |
| Ransomware Attacks | Common | Change Healthcare, Synnovis, Evolve Bank, Casio |
| Misconfigured Databases | Less Common | National Public Data (NPD) Breach |
| Brute-Force Attacks | Less Common | Dell Data Breach |
| Exploitation of Stolen Credentials | Less Common | Snowflake Cloud Breaches, Ticketmaster |
Analysis of Common vs. Less Common Reasons
Most Common Reason: Lack of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Why It’s Common: Many organizations still rely on single-factor authentication, making it easy for attackers to exploit stolen credentials.
- Impact: Breaches like Change Healthcare, AT&T, and Ticketmaster highlight how the absence of MFA can lead to massive data exposure.
Common Reason: Third-Party Vulnerabilities
- Why It’s Common: Organizations often rely on third-party vendors and platforms, which may have weaker security measures.
- Impact: Breaches like AT&T (Snowflake) and Dell demonstrate how third-party risks can compromise sensitive data.
Common Reason: Ransomware Attacks
- Why It’s Common: Ransomware remains a lucrative business for cybercriminals, especially in sectors like healthcare and finance.
- Impact: Attacks on Change Healthcare, Synnovis, and Evolve Bank caused significant operational disruptions and financial losses.
Less Common Reasons: Misconfigured databases, brute-force attacks, and exploitation of stolen credentials are less frequent but still critical. These often result from human error or insufficient security protocols.
1. National Public Data (NPD) Breach
When: April 2024
Details
The National Public Data (NPD) breach was one of the largest data breaches in history, exposing 2.9 billion records. The compromised data included Social Security numbers, addresses, phone numbers, and other personal information. The breach affected individuals across the United States, with many victims reporting identity theft and financial fraud.
Reason
The breach occurred due to a misconfigured database that was left exposed online without proper authentication. The database contained plain text credentials, making it easy for hackers to access and exfiltrate the data. The lack of encryption and basic security measures was a critical failure on NPD’s part.
Settlement
The fallout from the breach was catastrophic for NPD. The company faced multiple class-action lawsuits and regulatory penalties from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general. Unable to cope with the financial and reputational damage, NPD filed for bankruptcy in June 2024. The breach served as a stark reminder of the importance of securing sensitive data and implementing robust cybersecurity measures.
2. Change Healthcare Ransomware Attack
When: February 2024
Details
Change Healthcare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, suffered a massive ransomware attack that compromised 145 million records. The stolen data included medical histories, billing information, and insurance details. The attack disrupted healthcare services across the United States, delaying patient care and causing widespread chaos.
Reason
The breach was attributed to the lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA) on a critical Citrix portal. Hackers exploited this vulnerability to gain access to the system and deploy ransomware. The attackers, believed to be part of the BlackCat (ALPHV) ransomware group, demanded a ransom of $22 million.
Settlement
UnitedHealth paid the ransom to restore operations, but the total cost of the breach exceeded $2.4 billion, including legal fees, regulatory fines, and operational losses. The incident highlighted the need for stronger authentication protocols and better ransomware preparedness in the healthcare sector.
3. AT&T Data Breaches
When: March and July 2024
Details
AT&T experienced two major breaches in 2024. The first breach, in March, exposed 73 million customer records, including Social Security numbers, account details, and contact information. The second breach, in July, involved the theft of call and text metadata of 110 million customers from a third-party Snowflake database.
Reason
The breaches were caused by weak authentication processes and third-party vulnerabilities. In the first breach, hackers exploited a flaw in AT&T’s internal systems. In the second breach, stolen credentials were used to access the Snowflake database, which lacked multi-factor authentication.
Settlement
AT&T faced regulatory scrutiny and paid $13 million to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The company also settled multiple class-action lawsuits and pledged to enhance its cybersecurity measures. The breaches underscored the risks associated with third-party vendors and the importance of securing sensitive data.
4. Ticketmaster Breach
When: April-May 2024
Details
Ticketmaster suffered a breach that exposed 560 million records, including names, email addresses, phone numbers, and payment information. The breach affected customers worldwide and led to a surge in phishing attacks and fraudulent transactions.
Reason
The breach was linked to the exploitation of Snowflake credentials without multi-factor authentication. Hackers gained access to Ticketmaster’s database and exfiltrated the data over several weeks.
Settlement
Ticketmaster faced multiple lawsuits and regulatory investigations. While the company has not disclosed the full financial impact, it has committed to improving its cybersecurity infrastructure. The breach highlighted the risks of relying on third-party platforms without adequate security measures.
5. Synnovis Ransomware Attack
When: June 2024
Details
Synnovis, a UK-based healthcare provider, was hit by a ransomware attack that compromised 300 million patient interactions. The attack disrupted services across the National Health Service (NHS), delaying surgeries and diagnostic tests.
Reason
The attack was carried out by the Qilin ransomware gang, which exploited vulnerabilities in Synnovis’ systems. The lack of robust data security standards and outdated infrastructure made the organization an easy target.
Settlement
Synnovis refused to pay the $50 million ransom, and the UK government intervened to restore services. The breach exposed the vulnerabilities in the healthcare sector and the need for stronger cybersecurity measures.
6. Evolve Bank Ransomware Attack
When: June 2024
Details
Evolve Bank suffered a ransomware attack that exposed 7.6 million records, including Social Security numbers, financial data, and account details. The breach affected both customers and employees.
Reason
The LockBit ransomware gang exploited vulnerabilities in the bank’s systems to deploy ransomware and steal data.
Settlement
Evolve faced lawsuits and reputational damage. The financial impact of the breach has not been fully disclosed, but the incident highlighted the importance of securing financial institutions against ransomware attacks.
7. Dell Data Breach
When: May 2024
Details
Dell experienced a breach that exposed 49 million customer records, including names, email addresses, and order details. The breach affected customers in the United States and Europe.
Reason
The breach was caused by a brute-force attack on a reseller’s client portal. Hackers gained access to the portal and exfiltrated customer data.
Settlement
Dell faced regulatory scrutiny and pledged to enhance its security protocols. The breach underscored the risks of third-party vulnerabilities and the need for stronger authentication measures.
8. Snowflake Cloud Breaches
When: Spring 2024
Details
Snowflake, a cloud data platform, experienced multiple breaches that compromised 165 customer environments, including Ticketmaster, AT&T, and Santander. The breaches exposed sensitive data and disrupted operations.
Reason
The breaches were caused by the exploitation of stolen credentials without multi-factor authentication. Hackers targeted Snowflake’s customers to gain access to their data.
Settlement
Snowflake faced widespread criticism and potential lawsuits. The breaches highlighted the risks of cloud platforms and the importance of securing customer data.
9. Casio Ransomware Attack
When: October 2024
Details
Casio suffered a ransomware attack that exposed personal information of employees and customers, including HR files and invoices.
Reason
The attack was carried out by an underground ransomware gang that exploited vulnerabilities in Casio’s systems.
Settlement
Casio faced operational disruptions and potential lawsuits. The breach highlighted the risks of ransomware attacks and the need for stronger cybersecurity measures.
10. Blue Yonder Supply Chain Attack
When: November 2024
Details
Blue Yonder, a supply chain management company, suffered a breach that exposed 680 GB of data, affecting major retailers like Morrisons and Starbucks.
Reason
The breach was carried out by the Clop and Termite ransomware gangs, which exploited vulnerabilities in Blue Yonder’s supply chain.
Settlement
Blue Yonder faced operational disruptions and reputational damage. The breach highlighted the risks of supply chain attacks and the need for stronger cybersecurity measures.
How Secure IT Consult Can Help with Managed Security Services?
Secure IT Consult’s Managed Security Services (MSS) provide comprehensive solutions to address the most common and less common reasons for data breaches. By leveraging advanced tools and expertise, Secure IT Consult helps organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture and protect sensitive data.
- Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Ensures secure access even if credentials are compromised.
- Third-Party Risk Management: Assesses and monitors vendors to reduce vulnerabilities.
- Ransomware Protection: Deploys endpoint detection, regular backups, and incident response plans.
- Database Audits: Identifies and fixes misconfigurations to prevent exposure.
- Brute-Force Prevention: Uses rate-limiting, intrusion detection, and strong password policies.
- Credential Theft Prevention: Implements privileged access management and zero-trust architecture.
- Continuous Monitoring: Provides 24/7 threat detection and real-time response.
- Employee Training: Educates staff on recognizing phishing and other threats.
By partnering with Secure IT Consult, organizations can proactively address cybersecurity challenges, minimize risks, and avoid the devastating consequences of data breaches. Their tailored solutions ensure businesses stay resilient in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
Bottom Line
The data breaches of 2024 have exposed the vulnerabilities in our digital infrastructure and the devastating consequences of cyberattacks.Â
From healthcare to finance, no sector has been immune. The key lessons from these breaches include the importance of multi-factor authentication, third-party risk management, and continuous monitoring. Businesses must prioritize data protection and invest in robust security frameworks to safeguard against future attacks.
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