The Top 5 Data Breaches of 2024 and What Oregon Businesses Need to Know

Overview

This year has been busy for cybercriminals, with massive data breaches making headlines and costing companies millions. No industry is immune to the risks, from healthcare giants to project management platforms. But what do these breaches mean for Oregon’s businesses?

The same vulnerabilities exist for you, and the consequences of not addressing them can be catastrophic.

Here’s a recap of five significant breaches in 2024 and what they mean for your business here in Oregon.

National Public Data

Earlier this year, a hacking group claimed to have stolen 2.7 billion personal records from a background-checking and public data-brokering site. Sensitive information like Social Security numbers and addresses was exposed. While the accuracy of the data is still under evaluation, the sheer volume of compromised records is alarming.

What can you do? Everyone should monitor their financial and online identities. Freezing your credit is crucial to protecting against identity theft, especially for businesses handling customer data. This breach serves as a reminder that proactive cybersecurity measures are critical for protecting sensitive information.

Ticketmaster

Ticketmaster’s breach exposed over 560 million customers' personal and financial data, highlighting severe security flaws. This incident is a wake-up call for small to midsize businesses: just like a giant corporation, you need to ensure your payment processing systems are secure.

Unauthorized transactions and identity theft following the breach show the importance of multi-layered security. At 10D Tech, we help businesses like yours implement these protections so you don’t face the same risks.

Change Healthcare

In one of the largest healthcare breaches in history, Change Healthcare suffered a ransomware attack that affected 145 million people. The stolen data included Social Security numbers and medical records—an absolute nightmare for patients and healthcare providers alike.

Does your business handle sensitive client data? If so, the impact of a breach could be devastating. A single attack could expose confidential information, leading to reputational damage and financial losses. In industries like healthcare, where compliance is key, ensuring your systems are protected is critical.

AT&T

AT&T’s breach affected 73 million customers, exposing Social Security numbers, account details, and more. Small businesses aren’t immune to similar attacks; cybercriminals target smaller companies because they often have weaker security infrastructures.

Your business is still vulnerable even if you’re not managing millions of customers like AT&T. That’s why 10D Tech focuses on protecting businesses just like yours. We help you implement strategies like employee training on phishing and maintaining an active cybersecurity plan to defend against the inevitable.

Dell

Dell’s May breach exposed 49 million records after a brute-force attack on one of its reseller client portals. This breach highlighted vulnerabilities even within the supply chain—something all businesses should be concerned about.

Have you assessed your third-party vendors and the security of your supply chain? We work with businesses to fortify their cybersecurity strategies, ensuring all entry points are secure, from internal systems to external partners.

What This Means for Oregon Businesses

While these breaches happened to major corporations, Oregon businesses from Portland to Ashland and Newport to Ontario are also on the radar. In fact, small to medium-sized businesses are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals because they often lack the robust security measures of larger enterprises. A single breach could cost your business thousands in downtime, lost data, and damaged reputation.

Protect Your Business with a FREE Security Risk Assessment

If these stories have you thinking about your vulnerabilities, that’s good. The best defense is a proactive one. At 10D Tech, we offer a FREE Security Risk Assessment to evaluate your network for potential risks. Our team will identify vulnerabilities, patch the holes, and ensure your business is fortified against future attacks.

Don’t wait until you’re the next headline—schedule your FREE Security Risk Assessment today! Call our offices in Corvallis or Portland (541) 243-4103 or (971) 915-9103 or click here to book your appointment. Let 10D Tech help you protect your business and your reputation.

FAQs

Q: Which data breaches had the biggest impact in 2024?
A: National Public Data, Ticketmaster, Change Healthcare, AT&T, and Dell were among the most impactful—each exposed sensitive customer data at massive scale.

Q: Why should Oregon SMBs care about these big-company breaches?
A: The same tactics used on enterprises are used on small businesses—often with greater success because defenses are weaker.

Q: How do I reduce my risk right now?
A: Start with a Security Risk Assessment, enable MFA everywhere, keep reliable backups, train staff, and use managed cybersecurity to monitor and respond 24/7. In case of emergency, you need a partner that can act fast.