Highlights From the Top 11 Data Breaches in 2024 Report

The National Public Data breach tops our 2024 list with a staggering 8.93 risk exposure score, revealing how government databases remain prime targets for sophisticated attacks. This comprehensive analysis breaks down why high-profile organizations like Change Healthcare and Ticketmaster (both scoring 8.70) suffered devastating breaches despite their security investments. Our research team analyzed each incident using the Risk Exposure Index Framework, which evaluates breaches across five critical factors: data sensitivity, financial impact, regulatory compliance, recovery complexity, and attack sophistication.

What makes the 2024 breach landscape particularly concerning? Financial impact and data sensitivity emerged as the most influential risk factors, accounting for 22% and 24% of breach severity, respectively. When attackers compromised Hot Topic’s systems (7.70 risk score), they exploited vulnerabilities that smaller organizations frequently overlook. Our video highlights how Dell Technologies’ breach (7.20) showcases the growing trend of attackers targeting supply chain vulnerabilities rather than direct network penetration.

Security leaders must understand that traditional defense strategies no longer suffice against today’s evolving threats. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and LoanDepot (both scoring 7.60) discovered this reality when attackers bypassed their perimeter defenses through sophisticated social engineering techniques. The dramatic increase in regulatory penalties following these incidents underscores why compliance now represents 18% of overall risk impact. Organizations scoring in the severe impact range (7.0-8.4) typically faced recovery times exceeding six months and regulatory fines averaging $24 million.

Download our full report to access detailed case studies of each breach, including attack vectors, response strategies, and lessons learned. The DemandScience breach (7.10) offers particularly valuable insights for marketing technology companies handling large customer datasets. For cybersecurity, compliance, and risk management professionals, understanding these patterns provides essential guidance for strengthening your organization’s security posture. The EPA breach (6.20) demonstrates that even lower-scoring incidents can trigger significant operational disruptions when targeting critical infrastructure sectors.

Read the entire report: Top 11 Data Breaches in 2024 Report

Additional Resources

• Blog Post Zero Trust Architecture: Never Trust, Always Verify
• Blog Post Report: Protecting Sensitive Content Communications Is More Important Than Ever
• Blog Post What It Means to Extend Zero Trust to the Content Layer
• Blog Post Protecting Sensitive Data in the Age of Generative AI: Risks, Challenges, and Solutions
• Blog Post Zero Trust for Data Privacy: A Practical Approach to Compliance and Protection