The Most Shocking Data Loss Incidents in 2024 and How They Could Have Been Prevented

In 2024, a number of alarming data breaches served as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities businesses face. Among the most significant data loss incidents reported were those at Interserve, Three mobile, and Tangerine Telecom.

Here, we’ll explore each of these major incidents, how they happened, and the strategies that could have prevented them.

By understanding the causes of these breaches, we hope to give you the knowledge you need to protect your company from similar threats.

#1 Interserve data breach

Interserve, a UK construction company, was hit with a major data breach that compromised the personal details of 113,000 employees.

The breach started with a phishing email. The attackers sent a fake message to trick employees into giving up sensitive information or downloading malicious software. The breach led to 283 systems and 16 accounts being compromised, with Interseve being fined £4.4 million as a result.

How this incident could have been prevented

The Interserve data breach is a reminder of the importance of anti-phishing measures. Here’s what Interserve could have done to prevent it:

• Phishing detection software: By installing advanced email filtering and phishing detection systems, Interserve could have prevented phishing emails from reaching employees in the first place. These systems look for known phishing patterns and behaviours and filter out threats before they reach inboxes.
• Employee training: Regular security awareness training programs to educate employees on the latest phishing techniques and how to spot them could have also prevented the breach. For example, simulated phishing tests will examine employees’ ability to spot and report phishing attempts, reducing the risk of human error.
• Incident report plan: With a clear incident response plan, the Interserve team would have known exactly what to do when the phishing attack occurred, allowing them to act quickly and minimise any damage from the data leak before it got worse.

#2 Three data breach

Three, one of the UK’s largest mobile network providers, had their customer records compromised in a data breach earlier this year.

The attackers used an employee’s login credentials to enter the database and gain unauthorised access to customer data.

While the initial confirmed figure was 130,000 compromised records, investigations later suggested that the breach could potentially have affected millions of customers.

How this incident could have been prevented

This breach highlights the importance of stringent access controls and regular security audits. With these tools and practices in place, Three might have avoided this disaster:

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Requiring multiple forms of verification (e.g., a password and a fingerprint) could have prevented unauthorised access to Three’s customer database. Even if the hacker got hold of the employee’s password, they still couldn’t log in without their fingerprint.
• Strengthening access controls: Strict access control measures can help reduce the impact of data breaches like the one at Three. Companies can better protect themselves by ensuring that only authorised personnel have access to sensitive systems and data and regularly reviewing and updating access permissions to match changes in roles and responsibilities.
• Monitoring tools: Using advanced real-time monitoring tools to detect and respond to suspicious activities could have provided an early warning about unauthorised access.

#3 Tangerine Telecom data breach

Tangerine Telecom, another key player in the telecommunications industry, experienced a data breach that resulted in over 200,000 customer records thefts. Like Three, the Tangerine Telecom attack was caused by compromised login credentials, highlighting how prevalent password-related attacks are in 2024.

How this incident could have been prevented

To safeguard against similar breaches, companies should consider the following strategies:

• Stronger password policies: Enforcing stricter password rules—like requiring complex, unique passwords and regular updates—can help prevent breaches like the one at Tangerine Telecom. Using password management tools can also make it easier for employees to maintain secure passwords without the hassle of having to remember them.
• Regular security audits: Continuous monitoring and audits of security systems could have helped Tangerine Telecom and others identify weaknesses and potential breaches before they happened. These audits should include reviewing login attempts and flagging any unusual activity that might indicate a compromised account.
• Monitoring for unusual login activities: Setting up real-time monitoring systems to detect and respond to suspicious login activities—like logins from unfamiliar locations or devices—could have given the company an extra layer of security.

The importance of third-party backups and how they could have helped

In all three major data breaches in 2024—Interserve, Three mobile, and Tangerine Telecom—third-party backups could have been crucial in avoiding the damage and speeding up recovery. Here’s how:

1. Data loss prevention

Up-to-date backups offer extra protection against data loss. If primary systems are breached, backups stored offsite or in the cloud rapidly recover essential information, reducing downtime and disruption.

2. Business continuity

Access to current backups during a breach helps keep business operations running with minimal interruption. Backup data supports critical functions and services while the breach is being fixed.

3. Faster incident response

Third-party backups enable a faster response to breaches by allowing quick restoration of compromised data. This helps assess damage and resume normal operations while maintaining customer service.

Closing thoughts

The 2024 data breaches at Interserve, Three mobile, and Tangerine Telecom highlight how vulnerable businesses are to data breaches.

But we can learn from their example by recognising the importance of strong security measures like phishing detection, multi-factor authentication, and regular security audits.

Third-party immutable backups play a crucial role in reducing the impact of breaches by ensuring quick data recovery, maintaining data integrity, and keeping business operations running smoothly.

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