The Week in Cyber Security and Data Privacy: 15 – 21 April 2024

16,482,365 known records breached in 241 newly disclosed incidents

Welcome to this week’s global round-up of the biggest and most interesting news stories.

At the end of each month, these incidents – and any others that we find – will be used to inform our monthly analysis of data breaches and cyber attacks.


Publicly disclosed data breaches and cyber attacks: in the spotlight

Criminal hackers threaten to leak World-Check screening database

A criminal group known as GhostR claims to have stolen 5.3 million records from World-Check, a database used to screen potential customers for links to illegal activity and government sanctions.

Compromised data includes names, passport numbers, Social Security numbers, online crypto account identifiers and bank account numbers.

A spokesman for the London Stock Exchange Group, which maintains the database, confirmed the data was illegally obtained from a third party and didn’t dispute the amount of data stolen. GhostR says it obtained the records from a Singapore-based company with access to the database.

Data breached: 5,300,000 records.

Almost 1.5 million accounts compromised in Le Slip Français data breach

The French underwear manufacturer Le Slip Français has suffered a data breach. The alleged perpetrator, who goes by the name ShopifyGUY, claims to have obtained more than 1.5 million emails, including 690,000 sets of customer details comprising email addresses, names, postal addresses, phone numbers and purchase data.

ShopifyGUY is the same person who posted the Giant Tiger data last week. According to Troy Hunt of the data breach notification service HIBP (Have I Been Pwned), “it looks like they’re finding @Shopify keys somewhere then just dumping all the data. I’m told the JSON format these breaches all appear in is consistent with that, so it stands to reason that’s the common vector for all these breaches”.

Hunt has added 1,495,127 Le Slip Français accounts to the HIBP database.

Data breached: 1,495,127 accounts.

Mobile Guardian app hacked, compromising Singaporean parent and teacher data

The names and email addresses of parents and teachers from 5 primary and 122 secondary schools in Singapore have been compromised after a mobile app was hacked. Mobile Guardian, which is used to help parents manage their children’s device usage, was hacked on 19 April, according to the Singaporean Ministry of Education.

Mobile Guardian, which is based in the UK, said that its investigations detected unauthorised access to its systems via an administrative account on its management portal. Account records from the US were also accessed.

Data breached: unknown.


Publicly disclosed data breaches and cyber attacks: full list

This week, we found 16,482,365 records known to be compromised, and 241 organisations suffering a newly disclosed incident. 227 of them are known to have had data exfiltrated, exposed or otherwise breached. Only 6 definitely haven’t had data breached.

We also found 8 organisations providing a significant update on a previously disclosed incident.

Organisation(s)SectorLocationData breached?Known data breached
World-Check, and a Singapore-based firm with access to it
Source
(New)
Finance and unknownUK and SingaporeYes5,300,000
Digi Yatra
Source
(New)
SoftwareIndiaYes>3,300,000
Le Slip Français
Source 1; source 2; source 3
(Update)
RetailFranceYes1,495,127
XD Connects
Source
(New)
RetailNetherlandsYes1 TB
DISB (District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking) and Tyler Technologies
Source 1; source 2; source 3; source 4
(Update)
Public and softwareUSAYes800 GB
Smoke Alarm Solutions
Source
(New)
Professional servicesAustraliaYes762,856
City of St. Cloud, FL
Source
(Update)
PublicUSAYes719,597
Regulator Marine Inc
Source
(New)
ManufacturingUSAYes630 GB
Risas Dental and Braces
Source 1; source 2
(New)
HealthcareUSAYes618,189
HUB International
Source
(New)
InsuranceUSAYes514,477
Lee University
Source 1; source 2
(New)
EducationUSAYes387.49 GB
Village Family Dental
Source 1; source 2
(New)
HealthcareUSAYes240,214
Cherry Health
Source 1; source 2
(Update)
HealthcareUSAYes184,372
Arby’s
Source 1; source 2
(New)
HospitalityUSAYes175 GB
Albatros
Source
(New)
ManufacturingRussiaYes>100 GB
T2 Tea
Source 1; source 2
(New)
RetailAustraliaYes85,894
Argentinian database of driving licences
Source
(New)
PublicArgentinaYes70,000
sa.global
Source
(New)
IT servicesUSAYes41 GB
Blackstone Valley Community Health Care
Source 1; source 2
(Update)
HealthcareUSAYes34,416
Green Diamond Resource Company
Source
(New)
EnvironmentalUSAYes27,896
Kisco Senior Living
Source
(New)
HealthcareUSAYes26,663
Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
Source
(New)
ReligiousUSAYes23,853
Bi-State Development
Source
(New)
PublicUSAYes21,953
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Source 1; source 2
(New)
EducationUSAYes19,353
Township of Montclair
Source
(New)
PublicUSAYes17,835
Carl Buddig and Company
Source
(New)
HospitalityUSAYes11,830
Asteco Property Management
Source
(New)
Real estateUAEYes11.4 GB
Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance
Source
(New)
PublicDominican RepublicYes>8,000
Island Ambulatory Surgery Center
Source 1; source 2
(New)
HealthcareUSAYes7,900
Federal Penitentiary Service
Source
(New)
PublicArgentinaYes7,115
Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
Source 1; source 2
(Update)
LegalUSAYes5,980
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
Source
(New)
InsuranceUSAYes4,948
Northern Colorado Long Term Acute Hospital
Source 1; source 2
(New)
HealthcareUSAYes4,335
Numotion
Source
(New)
ManufacturingUSAYes4,190
Olive View – UCLA Medical Center
Source 1; source 2
(New)
EducationUSAYes3,716
Butler, Lavanceau & Sober, LLC
Source
(New)
FinanceUSAYes3,370
Catholic Medical Center
Source
(New)
HealthcareUSAYes2,792
Concorde Entertainment Group
Source
(New)
HospitalityCanadaYes2 GB
Atlanta Technical College
Source
(New)
EducationUSAYes1,523
WIS International
Source
(New)
RetailUSAYes1,295
HBL CPAs, P.C.
Source
(New)
FinanceUSAYes1,206
DES
Source
(New)
EngineeringUSAYes1,144
Baylor College of Medicine
Source 1; source 2; source 3
(Update)
EducationUSAYes801
Medical Home Network
Source
(New)
HealthcareUSAYes681
Moveable Feast
Source
(New)
Non-profitUSAYes568
Jackson Medical Center
Source 1; source 2
(New)
HealthcareUSAYes509
Washington County Department of Human Services
Source 1; source 2
(New)
PublicUSAYes501
Basingstoke MP Maria Miller
Source
(New)
PublicUKYes500
SMRT Architects & Engineers
Source 1; source 2
(Update)
EngineeringUSAYes348
Pandemonium Rocks
Source
(New)
LeisureAustraliaYes“hundreds”
EBIR Bathroom Lighting
Source
(New)
ManufacturingSpainYes200 MB
Former Manx Care employee
Source
(New)
HealthcareUKYes160
Big Ass Fans
Source
(New)
ManufacturingUSAYes146
Cocoon, Inc.
Source
(New)
ManufacturingUSAYes50
Avalon Trust
Source
(New)
FinanceUSAYes27
Grodno Azot
Source
(New)
ManufacturingBelarusYesUnknown
Canadia Bank
Source
(New)
FinanceCambodiaYesUnknown
ND Paper
Source
(New)
MediaChinaYesUnknown
Kameymall
Source
(New)
RetailChinaYesUnknown
UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)
Source
(New)
Non-profitDenmarkYesUnknown
Consejo de la Judicatura
Source
(New)
LegalEcuadorYesUnknown
Ministerio de Educación, Ciencia y Tecnología de El Salvador
Source
(New)
PublicEl SalvadorYesUnknown
Lyon Terminal
Source 1; source 2
(New)
TransportFranceYesUnknown
Volkswagen
Source
(New)
ManufacturingGermanyYesUnknown
Union Hospital
Source
(New)
HealthcareHong KongYesUnknown
QUEST Alliance
Source
(New)
Non-profitIndiaYesUnknown
Extern
Source
(New)
CharityIrelandYesUnknown
Coppel
Source 1; source 2
(New)
RetailMexicoYesUnknown
Iddink Group
Source
(New)
IT servicesNetherlandsYesUnknown
Nieuwsbank
Source
(New)
MediaNetherlandsYesUnknown
Hamdard Pakistan
Source
(New)
ManufacturingPakistanYesUnknown
Pak Suzuki Motor Company Limited
Source
(New)
ManufacturingPakistanYesUnknown
Ministry of Finance, Republic of Serbia
Source
(New)
PublicSerbiaYesUnknown
5 primary and 122 secondary schools in Singapore, through Mobile Guardian
Source
(New)
Education and softwareSingaporeYesUnknown
International Trade Administration Commission of SA
Source
(New)
PublicSouth AfricaYesUnknown
AsiaLove
Source
(New)
SoftwareSouth KoreaYesUnknown
Lopesan
Source 1; source 2
(New)
HospitalitySpainYesUnknown
ASESGC Guardia Civil
Source
(New)
Non-profitSpainYesUnknown
Bagcilar Education and Research Hospital
Source
(New)
HealthcareTurkeyYesUnknown
Bureau van Dijk
Source
(New)
Professional servicesUKYesUnknown
Zest Protocol
Source
(New)
CryptoUKYesUnknown
Companies House
Source
(New)
PublicUKYesUnknown
Tasteful Selections LLC
Source
(New)
AgriculturalUSAYesUnknown
Cisco Duo and its telephony supplier
Source
(New)
Cyber security and telecomsUSAYesUnknown
Brandeis University
Source
(New)
EducationUSAYesUnknown
ASMFC (Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission)
Source
(New)
EnvironmentalUSAYesUnknown
Bauknight Pietras & Stormer, P.A.
Source
(New)
FinanceUSAYesUnknown
BlueChip Financial
Source
(New)
FinanceUSAYesUnknown
Continuing Healthcare Solutions
Source
(New)
HealthcareUSAYesUnknown
SysInformation
Source
(New)
HealthcareUSAYesUnknown
Space-Eyes
Source
(New)
IT servicesUSAYesUnknown
VIP (Visionary Integration Professionals)
Source
(New)
IT servicesUSAYesUnknown
Allcare Pharmacy | W.P. Malone, Inc.
Source
(New)
ManufacturingUSAYesUnknown
Cembell Industries Inc
Source
(New)
ManufacturingUSAYesUnknown
HB Molding, Inc.
Source
(New)
ManufacturingUSAYesUnknown
The Post and Courier
Source
(New)
MediaUSAYesUnknown
European Wax Center
Source
(New)
Professional servicesUSAYesUnknown
Solano County Library
Source
(New)
PublicUSAYesUnknown
Blooms Today
Source
(New)
RetailUSAYesUnknown
Payroll Select Services
Source
(New)
SoftwareUSAYesUnknown
Unspecified US consumer database
Source
(New)
UnknownUSAYesUnknown
Frontier Internet
Source
(New)
TelecomsUSAYesUnknown
Hedgey
Source
(New)
BlockchainUnknownYesUnknown
Honda Vietnam Company Limited
Source
(New)
ManufacturingVietnamYesUnknown
Grand Base
Source
(New)
BlockchainUnknownYesUnknown
Barnetts Couriers
Source
(New)
TransportAustraliaUnknownUnknown
Hôpital de Cannes – Simone Veil
Source
(New)
HealthcareFranceUnknownUnknown
SYNLAB Italia
Source
(New)
ResearchItalyUnknownUnknown
OGERO
Source
(New)
TelecomsLebanonUnknownUnknown
1+1 media
Source
(New)
MediaUkraineUnknownUnknown
MITRE
Source
(New)
Cyber securityUSAUnknownUnknown
Octapharma Plasma, Inc.
Source
(New)
ManufacturingUSAUnknownUnknown
Systems used by New York’s legislature
Source
(New)
PublicUSAUnknownUnknown
OLA (Observatorio de Libertad Académica)
Source
(New)
Non-profitCubaNo0
Likud Party
Source
(New)
PublicIsraelNo0
LRT
Source
(New)
MediaLithuaniaNo0
Carpetright
Source
(New)
RetailUKNo0
Gmail And YouTube users
Source
(New)
IT servicesUSANo0

Note 1: ‘New’/‘Update’ in the first column refers to whether this breach was first publicly disclosed this week, or whether a significant update was released this week. The updated data point is italicised in the table.

Note 2: For incidents where we only know the file size of the data breached, we use the formula 1 MB = 1 record. Given that we can’t know the exact numbers, as it depends on the types of records included (e.g. pictures and medical histories are considerably larger files than just names and addresses), we err on the side of caution by using this formula. We believe that this underestimates the records breached in most cases, but it is more accurate than not providing a number at all. To learn more about our research methodology, click here.


AI

NSA published guidance on strengthening the security of AI systems

The US National Security Agency has published a cyber security information sheet entitled Deploying AI Systems Securely: Best Practices for Deploying Secure and Resilient AI Systems. The guidance was designed for national security purposes, but can be applied by anyone bringing AI capabilities into a managed environment.

Protect AI releases April 2024 vulnerability report

Protect AI has published its latest monthly report into security vulnerabilities affecting AI systems. This month contains 48 vulnerabilities, up 220% from the 15 it identified in November 2023.

Enforcement

Proposed FTC order will fine Cerebral, Inc. $7 million and restrict its use of sensitive data

Cerebral, Inc. has agreed to an FTC order that will prohibit it from using or disclosing sensitive consumer data for advertising purposes. Under the proposed order, the company will be required to pay more than $7 million for violating its customers’ privacy rights.

International law enforcement operation disrupts LabHost phishing-as-a-service platform

A law enforcement operation involving 19 countries has disrupted LabHost, one of the world’s largest phishing-as-a-service platforms. 37 suspects have been arrested and the LabHost platform has been shut down.


Other news

ENISA will not create vulnerability database

Hans de Vries, the new chief cybersecurity and operational officer of ENISA, the EU Agency for Cybersecurity, has confirmed that his agency will not create a database of security vulnerabilities, as proposed by the EU Cyber Resilience Act.

NCSC CAF (Cyber Assessment Framework) 3.2 published

The National Cyber Security Centre has published version 3.2 of its Cyber Assessment Framework. Significant changes have been made to sections covering remote access, privileged operations, user access levels and the use of multifactor authentication.

CREST launches new cyber threat intelligence guide

CREST has published a new guide: What is Cyber Threat Intelligence and How is it Used? It provides accessible advice on the theory and practice of CTI products and services, outlining key concepts and principles underpinning CTI, along with the ways organisations can use CTI to predict, prevent, detect and respond to potential cyber security threats and reduce cyber risk.

NATO to launch new cyber centre

Acknowledging that “cyberspace is contested at all times”, NATO will create a new cyber centre at its military headquarters in Mons, Belgium. James Appathurai, NATO’s deputy assistant secretary general for innovation, hybrid and cyber, said the new centre would be modelled on the UK’s NCSC.

HHS patches security after cyber attack

Following a cyber attack on the US Department of Health and Human Services last year, in which criminals stole $7.5 million, the Department is removing HHS Login from its grantee payment system.

EDPB sets out priorities for 2024–2027

The EDPB (European Data Protection Board) has adopted its strategy for 2024–2027, which is based around four pillars:

  1. Enhancing harmonisation and promoting compliance.
  2. Reinforcing a common enforcement culture and effective cooperation.
  3. Safeguarding data protection in the developing digital and cross-regulatory landscape.
  4. Contributing to the global dialogue on data protection.

The Board’s chair, Anu Talus, said: “The new strategy takes the existing vision in a new direction in order to respond to the data protection needs of today, and the ever evolving digital landscape. The strategy is the result of a collaborative effort, involving all EU data protection authorities (DPAs) and sets out common priorities for the years to come.”

EDPB publishes opinion on Meta’s ‘pay or OK’ model

The EDPB has published its opinion on Meta’s proposed ‘pay or consent’ model, which aims to charge users a monthly fee to use its platforms without targeted advertising. Louise Brooks, from IT Governance’s sister company DQM GRC, observes:

“The opinion finds that Meta’s proposed ‘pay or consent’ model isn’t compliant with the EU GDPR, but it doesn’t go so far as to rule it out as an option completely. It’s important at this stage to understand that EDPB opinions are not legally binding.

“However, the opinion was requested by supervisory authorities for the purpose of active cases under consideration for enforcement action, so the outcome of those cases will add context and detail to the interpretation of, and potential future reliance upon, the opinion.

“From a UK perspective, we know the ICO is actively monitoring the European debate on this issue as it confirmed the same at the DMA’s recent annual conference, so it remains to be seen how the EDPB’s opinion might be used or interpreted here.

“The debate certainly isn’t over, and we probably need to wait for case law to proceed before we can really start seeing the wood for the trees and understand the ramifications.

“Nevertheless, any sensible large online platforms would do well to model alternatives and consider the impact any precedents set by enforcement actions that don’t support their business models might have.”

ICO publishes guidance to improve transparency in health and social care

The ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) has published new guidance to provide regulatory certainty on how health and social care organisations should handle sensitive information while keeping people properly informed.


Recently published reports


Key dates

29 April 2024 – UK Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 comes into effect

The UK’s consumer connectable product security regime comes into effect on 29 April 2024. Businesses in the supply chains of these products need to be compliant with the legislation from that date.

30 April 2024 – ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification unavailable

Certification bodies must stop offering (re)certification to ISO 27001:2013 by 30 April. The new iteration of the Standard, ISO 27001:2022, isn’t significantly different from ISO 27001:2013, but there are some notable changes. Learn more about complying with ISO 27001:2022.


That’s it for this week’s round-up. We hope you found it useful.

We’ll be back next week with the biggest and most interesting news stories, all rounded up in one place.

In the meantime, if you missed it, check out last week’s round-up. Alternatively, you can view our full archive.


Security Spotlight

To get news of the latest data breaches and cyber attacks straight to your inbox, subscribe to our weekly newsletter: the Security Spotlight.

Every Wednesday, you’ll get a 4-minute email with:

  • Industry news, including this weekly round-up;
  • Our latest research and statistics;
  • Interviews with our experts, sharing their insights and expertise;
  • Free useful resources; and
  • Upcoming webinars.