There has never been a moment in history with so many reports of personal data exposure as the one experienced lately. The number of incidents and volume of data stolen recently reported reached unprecedented figures, causing serious concern to users and governments around the world. According to security researchers, the number of U.S. data breaches tracked in 2017 hit an all-time high of 1,579 (up ca. 45% compared with 2016) in an average of half a million records compromised every day. With the recently reported incidents of Equifax, Expedia (Orbitz data), Cambridge Analytica (Facebook data), Grindr, Under Armour (MyFitnessPal data) and Hudson’s Bay brands (Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks Off 5th, and Lord & Taylor) a new record could be set in 2018. The financial and reputational impact of these incidents is yet to be quantified: lawsuits and state/regulators penalties are still being filed, while shares price continues to drop for some of these organizations. This Info Note provides insights on the latest incidents with exposure of personal data reported during the first quarter of 2018.

https://www.enisa.europa.eu/publications/info-notes/how-data-is-under-siege-like-never-before