Public Cloud Security Breaches

Hackers from China managed to gain access to around 60,000 emails from U.S. State Department accounts due to vulnerabilities in Microsoft's email system. The main impact of this breach was on State Department accounts focused on East Asia and the Pacific. This event highlights the importance of implementing robust security protocols and regularly updating software patches to mitigate the risk of future breaches.

Personal Touch Holding settled a lawsuit with the NY Attorney General after a ransomware attack compromised the personal and medical information of over 300,000 individuals. The breach highlighted the company's inadequate security measures and the importance of data protection.

In September 2021, the American division of Great Star Industrial Co. fell victim to a ransomware incident that led to the breach of three databases associated with key subsidiaries of the organization. The attack exploited vulnerabilities in the company's security protocols, utilizing the Kerberos authentication system. In order to avoid the exposure of confidential information, Great Star Industrial Co. opted to engage in discussions with the ransomware perpetrators, ultimately agreeing to pay a ransom of $1 million.

Earlier this year, Proliance Surgeons, a healthcare entity, experienced a ransomware incident that impacted around 437,392 patients. Nevertheless, specific details about the attack, data that was exposed, implications for the organization, and steps taken to prevent future breaches have not been disclosed.

The Electoral Commission faced a data breach compromising personal information of 40 million individuals due to outdated security measures. The breach highlighted the significance of timely updates, strong password policies, and proactive security measures.