Recent Cyber Security Breaches: GoDaddy, Ikea and More

As a managed IT service provider it is important to us to make sure to stay in know about the latest cyber security breaches. Every few weeks we like to share our findings with you here on our blog. Please take a peek below to learn more about some of the most recent cyber security attacks here and around the world.

GoDaddy (United States)

Web Hosting Provider

The Hack: Credential Compromise

Quick Summary: “GoDaddy has reported a data breach that may impact more than 1 million customers who use the service for WordPress hosting. The company detailed the incident in an SEC filing, declaring that it had detected unauthorized access to its systems where it hosts and manages its customers’ WordPress servers when someone used a compromised password for access around September 6. GoDaddy said it discovered the breach last week on November 17. The company warned that active customers had their sFTP credentials (for file transfers), and the usernames and passwords for their WordPress databases, which store all the user’s content, exposed in the breach. In some cases, the customer’s SSL (HTTPS) private key was exposed, which if abused could allow an attacker to impersonate a customer’s website or services. 1.2 million active and inactive managed WordPress users had their email addresses and customer numbers exposed in this incident.” -ID Agent

Ikea (Sweden)

Furniture & Home Goods Retailer

The Hack: Phishing

Quick Summary: “IKEA is battling a nasty phishing attack on its employee email accounts that is using reply chains to try to trick employees. A reply-chain email attack is a type of spoofing in which the bad guys steal legitimate corporate email messages and send links to malicious documents to the chain as a reply. The messages seem legit and can be hard to catch. Malicious messages are being sent from inside the main IKEA organization as well as from other compromised IKEA organizations and business partners. The fight is ongoing and no direct cause has been announced, although analysts are saying that signs point to a Microsoft Exchange on-premises server compromise.” -ID Agent

California Pizza Kitchen (United States)

Fast Casual Restaurant Chain

The Hack: Hacking

Quick Summary: “US casual dining chain California Pizza Kitchen has had a data security breach that impacts current and past employees. In a statement, the company disclosed that its systems were infiltrated by an unauthorized user on September 15. Those cybercriminals gained access to an undisclosed amount of data including employee records that contained at least employee names and SSNs.” -ID Agent

Panasonic (Japan)

Electronics Manufacturer

The Hack: Ransomware

Quick Summary: “Panasonic has confirmed that it’s had a security breach after unauthorized users accessed its network on November 11. The company says that an internal investigation revealed that some data on a file server had been accessed by intruders. No information was given about what data was accessed or how much. Panasonic says that it is working with an outside firm to get to the bottom of the matter and expressed its apologies for the incident.  -ID Agent

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (United States)

Federal Government Agency

The Hack: Account Takeover

Quick Summary: “A shocking email security breach at the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) led to the takeover of a user account. The cybercriminals that accomplished the feat were able to use that compromised email account to send tens of thousands of fraudulent emails warning recipients of impending cyberattacks. Messages reached celebrities like Jay Z and journalists including investigative reporter Brian Krebs. The Bureau later confirmed that its Law Enforcement Enterprise Portal (LEEP) was compromised in a cyberattack Friday. FBI officials were quick to stress the fact that the malicious emails originated from an FBI-operated server that was solely dedicated to pushing notifications for LEEP and not part of the FBI’s corporate email service.” -ID Agent

CS Energy (Australia)

Energy Company

The Hack: Ransomware

Quick Summary: “CS Energy confirmed it experienced a ransomware attack on November 27.  The company said the incident was limited to its corporate network and did not impact operations at its Callide and Kogan Creek power stations. CS Energy’s CEO said that the company contained the ransomware attack by segregating the corporate network from other internal networks and enacting business continuity processes. CS Energy is owned by the Queensland government.” -ID Agent

To learn more about how to keep your company safe and secure from cyber security attacks, click here to explore our San Diego IT Services & IT Security plans that are offered by SDTEK.

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.
April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.