With just over a week left in 2017, the year has already set another record number of data breaches — far surpassing 2016’s figures.
The latest data from the ITRC shows that, as of December 20, there have been a total of 1293 breaches, with a total number of records exposed reaching 174,253,442. To put that into context, in all of 2016 there were 1,093 breaches. That figure was a 40 percent hike over the 780 reported breaches in 2015.
Here’s how the figures compare:
- For the banking/credit/financial sector, 2017 has already surpassed last year’s number of reported breaches.
- 2016’s reported breach number was 52 breaches
- 2017’s figures are nearly double at 92 breaches reported as of 12/20.
- Within those 92 reported breaches, there was 2,910,117 records exposed.
- The majority of breaches still remain categorized in the general business category, with 653 breaches recorded so far (159,211,788 records).
- The medical/healthcare sector ranks second with 366 breaches (5,131,501 records)
- This was followed by education at 114 breaches (1,162,588 records).
- The only category that saw a dip in breaches was the government/military sector, which saw 68 breaches — down slightly from last year’s 72 reported breaches.
According to the ITRC: “The ITRC Breach List is a compilation of data breaches confirmed by various media sources and/or notification lists from state governmental agencies. Breaches on this list typically have exposed information that could potentially lead to identity theft, including Social Security numbers, financial account information, driver’s license numbers and medical information.”
