The declines could be an illusion, masked by the 40 percent of data breach notices that do not include basic information, such as attack vector or a victim count
SAN DIEGO, July 13, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Today, the Identity Theft Resource Center® (ITRC), a nationally recognized nonprofit organization established to support victims of identity crime, released its U.S. data breach findings for the first half (H1) of 2022. According to the H1 2022 Data Breach Report's analysis, there were 817 publicly-reported data compromises in the U.S. in the first half of 2022, a four (4) percent decrease compared to the same period in 2021.
The number of victims impacted by data compromises continued to drop in H1 2022 (down 45 percent from H1 2021) as the nature of data compromises shifted to attacks targeting businesses, government agencies and institutions. However, an average of 39 percent of all data breach notices issued in H1 2022 did not list a victim count.
Approximately 87 percent of the data compromises in H1 2022 were due to a cyberattack. However, according to the H1 2022 Data Breach Report, ransomware attacks declined quarter-over-quarter for the first time since ransomware surpassed malware as the number two primary cause of data breaches in 2019. Phishing remained the number one root cause of data compromises in H1.
Download the ITRC's H1 2022 Data Breach Report Analysis and Key Takeaways
"We see the criminals continuing to shift their tactics resulting in the significant drop in the number of victims impacted," said Eva Velasquez, President and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. "We also see a decrease in the number of publicly-reported data breaches and the number of data breaches linked to ransomware attacks. However, the declines could be misleading since 40 percent of the data breach notices issued in the first half of the year did not include basic information like attack vector or victim count. Also, these trends could quickly be reversed simply by a few large breaches or a handful of smaller compromises."
Other findings in the H1 2022 Data Breach Report analysis include:
- Nearly 40 percent of data breach notices issued in H1 2022 did not include the root cause of the compromise, making "unknown" the top cause of data breaches so far this year for the first time since the ITRC began tracking the cause of data compromises. Supply chain attacks, a subset of cyberattacks, continue to be a favored attack vector for cyberattackers.
- Security researchers believe that the decline in ransomware attacks is due to a combination of factors, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the collapse of cryptocurrencies favored by cybercriminals.
The ITRC recently launched a free alert service for consumers where individuals can create a list of companies with which they do business. A subscriber will receive an email alert if an organization on the list is added to our notified data compromise database. To learn more, click here. For more information on recent data breaches, consumers and businesses should visit the ITRC's improved data breach tracking tool, notified.
Anyone can receive free support and guidance from a knowledgeable live advisor by calling 888.400.5530 or visiting idtheftcenter.org to live-chat.
About the Identity Theft Resource Center
Founded in 1999, the Identity Theft Resource Center® (ITRC) is a national nonprofit organization established to empower and guide consumers, victims, business and government to minimize risk and mitigate the impact of identity compromise and crime. Through public and private support, the ITRC provides no-cost victim assistance and consumer education through its website live-chat idtheftcenter.org and toll-free phone number 888.400.5530. The ITRC also equips consumers and businesses with information about recent data breaches through its data breach tracking tool, notified. The ITRC offers help to specific populations, including the deaf/hard of hearing and blind/low vision communities.
Media Contact
Identity Theft Resource Center
Alex Achten
Head of Earned & Owned Media Relations
888.400.5530 Ext. 3611
[email protected]
Media Contact
Alex Achten, Identity Theft Resource Center, 888-400-5530 x 3611, [email protected]
SOURCE Identity Theft Resource Center
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