Data breaches continue to be a major threat, with 2024 marking the second-highest number of data compromises on record. The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) 2024 Data Breach Report highlights alarming trends, including a 211% increase in victim notices and a lack of transparency in breach disclosures. However, the report also sheds light on solutions that can prevent many of these cyber incidents.
How MFA Could Have Stopped 94% of Data Breaches
The ITRC’s 2024 Data Breach Report highlights a staggering statistic: 94% of breached organizations could have avoided the attack simply by implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). This cybersecurity measure would have prevented a wide array of breaches, including three of the five mega-breaches in 2024—Ticketmaster, AT&T, and Change Healthcare—where stolen credentials were a key factor. With MFA, these breaches could have been thwarted before they even began.
In the case of Change Healthcare, executives testified before Congress that attackers gained access to their systems using a single password on a user account that lacked MFA protection. This glaring oversight is a reminder of just how essential MFA is in defending against credential-based attacks.
CyberWyoming strongly advocates for the adoption of MFA, especially for accounts involving sensitive information. Whether it’s your financial accounts, email, cell phone carrier, social media, or any cloud-based systems, enabling MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access. Implementing MFA adds an extra layer of security that can block cybercriminals from gaining access, even if they have stolen a password.
Taking these steps not only protects your organization from costly breaches but also contributes to the broader cybersecurity ecosystem. By actively securing communication channels and financial systems, we can reduce the likelihood of being the next victim of a data breach. It’s time to prioritize basic but powerful measures like MFA to keep your digital assets secure.
Next week, we’ll explore more simple cybersecurity measures that can prevent the majority of data breaches.
Small Businesses Are Overwhelmed by Cybersecurity Standards
According to the ITRC’s Consumer and Business Impact Report, 77% of small business leaders are aware of their state’s cybersecurity requirements, yet 76% were concerned about how they would comply. Many standards assume businesses have IT staff, dedicated security teams, and advanced infrastructure—resources most small businesses lack.
This is where CyberWyoming can help. We can guide small businesses through these complex standards, offering practical solutions to improve cybersecurity.
On Jan 1, 2023, legal aid organizations across the country faced a new challenge—a cybersecurity risk assessment requirement. With compliance deadlines approaching, Raymond Macchia, Executive Director of Legal Aid of Wyoming, reached out to CyberWyoming for a solution that fit his organization’s needs without unnecessary complexity.
“CyberWyoming made what seemed like an overwhelming process easy to manage. Their customized approach was exactly what we needed to meet the new compliance standards,” said Raymond Macchia, Executive Director, Legal Aid of Wyoming.
Cybersecurity is critical, but it doesn’t have to be confusing—CyberWyoming makes it accessible for small businesses to stay secure.
