Recent Cyber Security Breaches: Morgan Stanley, Dreamhost 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.

Morgan Stanley (United States)

Financial Services Firm

The Hack: Third-Party Data Breach

Quick Summary: “Morgan Stanley has reported a third-party data breach after attackers reportedly stole customer data by hacking into the Accellion FTA server of a third-party vendor. That vendor, Guidehouse, is a third-party vendor that provides account maintenance services to Morgan Stanley’s StockPlan Connect business. Guidehouse notified the investment banking company in May 2021 that attackers had accessed its Accellion FTA server. The Clop ransomware gang claimed responsibility for the original Accellion hack. ” -ID Agent

Altus Group (Canada)

Real Estate Software

The Hack: Ransomware

Quick Summary: “Altus Group, a commercial real estate software solutions company, has announced that its data was breached. The company initially said that no data was stolen, a new ransomware group begs to differ. New cybercrime gang Hive has published samples of data allegedly stolen from Altus Group on its new dark website. The provided sample of exfiltrated files includes business data and documents, as well as Argus certificates and development files. No ransom amount has been confirmed and the incident is under investigation.” -ID Agent

Mercedes Benz USA (United States)

Carmaker

The Hack: Third Party Risk

Quick Summary: “Mercedes-Benz USA has disclosed a data breach impacting some of its US customers. The data breach exposed PII of under 1,000 Mercedes-Benz customers and potential buyers. This breach was announced after a Mercedes-Benz vendor informed the company that the personal information of select customers was exposed due to an insufficiently secured cloud storage instance.” -ID Agent

French Connection UK (United Kingdom)

Clothing Brand

The Hack: Ransomware

Quick Summary: “United Kingdom-based clothing company French Connection UK has been hit by a major cybercrime gang: REvil. The ransomware gang was able to get away with a plethora of internal company data after taking control of the company’s back-end servers. The type of data has not been specified, but both business and employee data is at risk.” -ID Agent

DreamHost (United States)

WordPress Hosting Service

The Hack: Unsecured Database

Quick Summary: “A misconfigured cloud database exposed over 800 million records linked to WordPress users through hosting provider DreamHost. The 814 million records came from the firm’s managed WordPress hosting business DreamPress and appeared to date back to 2018. In this 86GB database, researchers noted admin and user information, including WordPress login location URLs, first and last names, email addresses, usernames, roles, host IP addresses, timestamps and configuration and security information, some linked to users with .gov and .edu email addresses. The database was purportedly secured within hours but the damage had already been done.” -ID Agent

InfoSolutions (Sweden)

Medical IT Solutions

The Hack: Hacking

Quick Summary: “InfoSolutions, a company that provides IT services to Swedish Public Health Agency including maintaining journals and COVID-19 databases in Sweden, published a statement claiming that it detected an intrusion to a database employed by 15 of 21 Sweden’s regions. The company says that there is no indication that any information has been passed on and that the databases were locked quickly. The internal investigation is ongoing.” -ID Agent

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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.