Media organizations have become a frequent target for hackers due to the vast amounts of information they store on both subscribers and employees.
The latest data breach to hit the media industry was Vice Media, which exposed the personal and financial data of over 1,700 individuals.
Details of the Data Breach
The breach entailed the use of Social Security numbers and impacted 1,724 individuals. In addition, bank account numbers, credit and debit card numbers, security codes, access codes, passwords, and PINs were also implicated.
The breach was discovered on April 4th, and the media organization contacted a cybersecurity firm to investigate the issue.
The extent of the Compromise
The investigation revealed that the hackers were successful in breaking into an internal Vice e-mail account. The corporation has said that the investigation into what personally identifiable information was compromised and the search for current addresses for all of the victims will continue until January 25, 2023.
Remediation Efforts
To assist victims, Vice Media is working with Equifax to offer a year’s worth of credit and identity monitoring services, as well as services to restore their identities. The plan also includes identity theft insurance for up to one million dollars.
Unanswered Questions
There is no indication in the filings as to whether or whether any additional information was compromised during the event. There is also a lack of clarity on whether the letters are referring to separate instances or the same cyberattack. According to the filing on January 26, the security breach was found on April 4, although the file dated January 31 said that it was identified on December 19.
Conclusion
The Vice Media data breach highlights the importance of cyber security for media organizations and the need for robust measures to protect sensitive information. The extent of the compromise and the details surrounding the breach remain unclear, but the company’s efforts to assist victims and restore their identities are commendable.
