Due to the inherent limitations of any security system, no infrastructure is completely safe, and sensitive information held by federal agencies is therefore susceptible to data breaches, making it a critical concern for cybersecurity efforts. In 2024, 78% of the American public expressed deep concerns with potential cybersecurity attacks. Additionally, the federal government bears full or partial responsibility for fortifying our critical infrastructure, which is a sentiment shared by 78% of the public.
In August, National Public Data (NPD), a background check data aggregator, confirmed a massive data breach compromising 2.9 billion records, including Social Security numbers, names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers. The breach, traced back to a third-party hacker in December 2023, was first revealed in a class-action lawsuit. The stolen data was reportedly posted for sale on the dark web by the cybercriminal group USDoD for $3.5 million in April 2024.
Cybersecurity firm Pentester.com has developed a tool for consumers to check if their data was compromised. However, with increased risk of identity theft, fraud, and financial crimes, we recommend that consumers be wary of phishing attempts, monitor their credit reports and financial accounts closely and take proactive steps, such as placing fraud alerts, freezing credit lines, using strong, unique passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication.
