Welcome back to the Cybersecurity Corner! This week, we're tackling a topic that can sound a bit scary but is crucial for everyone to understand: data breaches and how to protect your identity when they occur.

You’ve probably seen headlines about major companies suffering data breaches, where sensitive customer information is stolen. While we work tirelessly to protect our district’s data, it’s important to understand that no organization is entirely immune, and you, as an individual, interact with many online services every day.

 

What is a Data Breach?

Simply put, a data breach happens when unauthorized individuals gain access to confidential, sensitive, or protected data. This data could include anything from your email address and password to your credit card numbers, Social Security number, or even health records.

These breaches can happen in many ways:

• Hacking: Cybercriminals directly attacking a company's systems.

• Phishing: Tricking employees into revealing credentials.

• Malware: Using malicious software to infiltrate systems.

• Human Error: Sometimes, it's an accidental exposure of data.

 

Recent Examples of Major Data Breaches

To illustrate just how widespread this issue is, here are a few well-known data breaches that have occurred in recent years:

• National Public Data (2024): This breach, one of the largest in history, exposed the personal data of millions of individuals. The company, a data broker that collects public records for background checks, had its database breached. Information including names, addresses, phone numbers, and most importantly, Social Security numbers, were exposed and sold on the dark web.

• AT&T (2024): A breach exposed the data of millions of current and former customers. The compromised information included names, email addresses, phone numbers, and in some cases, Social Security numbers.

• Ticketmaster (2024): The personal and financial information of over 500 million customers was compromised. Data exposed included names, addresses, phone numbers, and payment details.

• 23andMe (2023): A major breach of the genetic testing company exposed the data of millions of users, including sensitive genetic information, as well as personal details like names, dates of birth, and location.

These examples underscore the unfortunate reality that, for most people, their data has already been leaked in one of these or countless other breaches over the years. 

 

Why Should You Care? Your Identity is at Stake

When your personal information is exposed in a data breach, it can put you at risk of identity theft. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information—like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number—without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. They might open new credit accounts in your name, file fraudulent tax returns, or make unauthorized purchases.

 

What Happens After a Breach, and What Can You Do?

If a company you use experiences a data breach that affects you, they are usually legally obligated to notify you. When you receive such a notification, or if you suspect your data might be compromised, here are immediate steps to take:

1. Change Your Password IMMEDIATELY: If the breached account is one where you used a password that is also used elsewhere, change that password everywhere it was used.

2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): If you haven't already, enable MFA on all your important accounts. Even if your password is stolen, MFA provides that critical second layer of defense.

3. Monitor Your Accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for any suspicious activity.

 

Consider Credit Freezes: Your Strongest Lock

For maximum protection against identity theft, a credit freeze is your best tool. A freeze restricts access to your credit report, preventing new credit accounts from being opened in your name. It is a free service, but you must contact each of the three major credit bureaus individually:

• Equifax: Freeze and manage your report online or by phone at 1-800-349-9960.

• Experian: Freeze and manage your report online or by phone at 1-888-397-3742.

• TransUnion: Freeze and manage your report online or by phone at 1-888-909-8872.

The freeze will take effect immediately if you do it online or by phone. You can temporarily "thaw" your report when you need to apply for credit, such as a new loan or a mortgage.

 

The Importance of Protecting Your Child's Identity

This is an especially important concern for parents. Child identity theft can go undetected for years, as children typically don't have credit reports or financial accounts. The first sign of a problem might not appear until they are a young adult applying for a college loan or their first job. A fraudster could have been using their Social Security number for years, causing a massive amount of damage.

You can proactively check if your child has a credit report with each of the three bureaus. If they do, that's a red flag. You can also place a credit freeze on your child's name, which is a key step in preventing this type of fraud.

 

How Monitoring Services Can Help

The process of monitoring your identity and cleaning up your data can be a full-time job. That's where professional identity monitoring services come in. These services help by:

• Removing Your Data: They automatically send opt-out requests to data brokers and "people finder" websites to remove your personal information that is being sold online.

• Providing Active Monitoring: They continuously scan the dark web for your email, passwords, and other sensitive information that may have been exposed in a breach.

• Simplifying Alerts: They provide a single dashboard for alerts, simplifying the process of monitoring your credit and financial accounts for suspicious activity.

These services can be a valuable tool, but they are most effective when paired with your own vigilance and the key steps outlined above. Here is a Link to an external article with a list of some examples of the services available. 

 

Our District's Vigilance

At West Valley School District, protecting our community's data is our highest priority. We continuously strengthen our defenses with robust security measures, conduct regular training for all staff, and actively monitor our systems for any potential threats.

Our goal is to maintain a secure digital environment for our students and staff. Staying informed and taking proactive steps are your best defenses. By understanding data breaches and knowing how to respond, you empower yourself to protect your digital identity.

 

Stay safe, stay vigilant!

 

Jeremy Cox

IT Director

West Valley School District 208