Recent Cyber Security Breaches: Walgreen’s, Microsoft 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.

Walgreen’s (United States)

Drugstore chain

The Hack: Misconfiguration

Quick Summary: “Vox reports that the personal data of patients that had a COVID-19 test at Walgreens was stored incorrectly and exposed to anyone who cared to view it. The data exposure potentially affects millions of people who used Walgreens’ COVID-19 testing services over the course of the pandemic. The exposure came to light after a security expert checked for test results for a family member and noticed the issue. discovered the issues in March after a family member got a COVID-19 test. The vulnerability has been around since at least March 2021 when the expert discovered it, but likely longer.” -ID Agent

McDonald’s (United Kingdom)

Fast Food Chain

The Hack: Misconfiguration

Quick Summary: “The popular “Monopoly” game is back at McDonald’s in the UK, and winners received a surprise when the login names and passwords for the game’s database were made available to all winners. A Misconfiguration caused automated emails that went out to prize winners to contain the relevant usernames and passwords for both the production and staging database servers, allowing anyone to access the information. The missent information also included sensitive back-end info like hostnames for Azure SQL databases.” -ID Agent

Microsoft (United States)

Software Developer

The Hack: Misconfiguration

Quick Summary: “The personal information of hundreds of thousands of users of Microsoft’s EventBuilder has been exposed in a misconfiguration snafu. Researchers who discovered the leak say that the data was exposed through an improperly configured Azure blob and was available for an unknown length of time. The mistake was quickly fixed.” -ID Agent

France-Visas (France)

Government Services Platform

The Hack: Hacking
Quick Summary: “A cyber-attack has compromised the data of around 8,700 people applying for visas to visit or move to France via the official government-run France-Visas website. No details of the nationalities affected or other information about the applicants that had information exposed was released, but French officials say that they have been contacted by mail.” -ID Agent

Pacific City Bank (United States)

Financial Institution
The Hack: Ransomware

Quick Summary: “Pacific City Bank, a California-based bank that focuses on the Korean-American community, was rocked by ransomware. The bank was hit by the AVOS Locker ransomware gang last week. On Saturday, September 4, 2021, the ransomware gang added the bank to its leak site and published some screenshots as proof of the hack including a ZIP archive that contains a series of documents allegedly stolen from the bank. The incident is under investigation.” -ID Agent

Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (South Africa)

Government Agency

The Hack: Ransomware

Quick Summary: “A ransomware attack struck the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development of South Africa. According to a department statement, many departments have been impacted, including the issuing of letters of authority, bail services, departmental email and the departmental website. Some services are available through old-fashioned pen and paper and child support payments won’t be delayed. The department announced that its team is working to restore operations. The incident is under investigation, and no word was available at press time on who was responsible for the attack.” -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.