Recent Cyber Security Breaches: UC San Diego Health 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.

UC San Diego Health (United States)

Hospital System

The Hack: Phishing

Quick Summary: “UC San Diego Health has disclosed a data breach after the compromise of some employees’ email accounts. UC San Diego Health discovered that cybercriminals had gained access to some of its employees’ email accounts through a phishing attack. The attackers may have accessed the personal information of patients, employees and students between December 2, 2020, and April 8, 2021.” -ID Agent

Tokyo 2020 Olympics (Japan)

Sporting Event

The Hack: Hacking

Quick Summary: “Just as the games were kicking off, officials disclosed that the usernames and passwords of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games ticket holders and event volunteers were leaked online. The stolen credentials could be used to log on to websites for volunteers and ticket holders, compromising personal data such as names, addresses and bank account numbers.” -ID Agent

Read More Here >> Tokyo 2020 hit by data breach

Mint Mobile (United States)

Mobile Network Carrier

The Hack: Hacking

Quick Summary: “California-based Mint Mobile has disclosed a data breach. The company says that an unauthorized person gained access to their data including subscribers’ account information. The miscreants also ported phone numbers to another carrier.” -ID Agent

Northern Railway (United Kingdom)

Government-Run Transportation Authority

The Hack: Ransomware

Quick Summary: “Railway passengers in Northern England got an unpleasant surprise when they discovered that ticket machines on Northern Trains’ network were knocked offline following a ransomware attack. Run by the British government, Northern Trains said no customer or payment data had been compromised, and that customers could still buy tickets online. ” -ID Agent

Calgary Parking Authority (Canada)

Municipal Entity

The Hack: Misconfiguration

Quick Summary: “Calgary Parking Authority recently experienced a breach that exposed the personal information of vehicle owners. A misconfigured server containing computer-readable technical logs, payments, parking tickets, driver personal data and more was discovered in the wild by researchers. Reports say that the server, used to monitor the authority’s parking system for bugs and errors, was left on the internet without a password in a security blunder.” -ID Agent

Yale New Haven Health (United States)

Medical System

The Hack: Third-Party Data Breach

Quick Summary: “Patients at Yale New Haven Health are being warned that their information has been stolen in an incident at a third-party vendor, Elekta. That company facilitates cancer treatments and was the victim of a ransomware attack just a few weeks ago that is rippling out to catch many medical institutions. Yale New Haven Health contends that hackers had no access to patient medical records, and a very small number of customers had financial information stolen.” -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.