National Public Data Breach: A Wake-Up Call for Data Security

The Massive National Public Data Breach

August 22, 2024

In August 2024, the United States experienced one of the largest data breaches in its history. National Public Data, a company specializing in criminal background checks, fell victim to a massive cyberattack that exposed sensitive information of nearly every American. Hackers accessed names, email addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, and mailing addresses—essentially everything someone would need for identity theft and financial fraud.

The breach was traced back to a vulnerability in National Public Data's internal security framework. Despite using modern security solutions, the attackers managed to bypass safeguards and gained access to the company's full database. The stolen data was soon found for sale on the dark web, increasing the risk of widespread identity fraud and financial exploitation.

The Fallout

The fallout from this breach was immediate and severe. Financial institutions reported a rise in fraudulent activities, including unauthorized credit card openings, false tax filings, and illegal loans. Affected individuals have already filed multiple class-action lawsuits, and regulatory bodies have launched investigations to determine whether National Public Data followed proper security protocols.

The company's reputation has been severely damaged. Trust is hard to rebuild after a breach of this scale, especially when Social Security numbers and other permanent identifiers are involved. Once this data is out, it cannot be undone—it can circulate on the dark web indefinitely.

How Businesses Can Protect Themselves

The National Public Data breach is a wake-up call for businesses of all sizes. No company is immune from cyberattacks, but there are steps businesses can take to minimize risk:

- Implement Zero Trust: Trust no one—every user and device should be verified before accessing company resources.
- Encrypt All Data: Encryption makes stolen data useless to hackers.
- Monitor and Respond: Use real-time monitoring to detect and respond to suspicious activity immediately.
- Strengthen Access Controls: Use multi-factor authentication and limit access based on role.
- Regular Security Audits: Continuously test and improve your security framework to find and fix vulnerabilities.

Take Action Now

Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated every year, and businesses cannot afford to be complacent. The National Public Data breach serves as a stark reminder that data security should be a top priority for every organization.

Not sure where to start? Contact DE Solutions today to strengthen your security framework and protect your business from data breaches.