https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-50132533
Exploit: Unauthorized database access
Home Group: Housing association
Risk to Small Business: 2 = Severe: Hackers gained access to a limited subset of customer data that includes personally identifiable information. The breach was detected by a third-party cybersecurity expert, and the company was able to repair the issue in 90 minutes. Unfortunately, the rapid response time wasn’t enough to protect the information for thousands of their customers who now have to grapple with the long-term effects of a data breach. At the same time, Home Group will likely face intense regulatory scrutiny under GDPR’s data protection guidelines.
Individual Risk: 2.28 = Severe: The data breach compromised customer names, addresses, and contact information, but financial data was not accessible to hackers. This information can quickly spread on the Dark Web, and those impacted by the breach should enroll in identity monitoring services that can help detect data misuse.
Customers Impacted: 4,000
How it Could Affect Your Customers’ Business: The cost of a data breach continues to increase, and legal penalties are one of the most significant drivers of these expenses. Since the regulatory landscape is quickly moving towards more stringent requirements along with more costly consequences, every company should ensure that their cybersecurity posture is ready to address today’s threats and tomorrow’s vulnerabilities.
