DISA Data Breach Exposes Personal Information of 3.3 Million People
DISA Data Breach Exposes Personal Information of 3.3 Million People: Protecting Your Organization in the Wake of Another Security Failure
DISA Data Breach Exposes Personal Information of 3.3 Million People
What Happened
DISA Global Solutions, a Texas-based company specializing in background screening, drug and alcohol testing, and compliance solutions, recently disclosed a significant data breach affecting over 3.3 million individuals. The company, which serves more than 55,000 customers including approximately 30% of Fortune 500 companies, discovered unauthorized access to a “limited portion” of its network on April 22, 2024.
According to the company’s investigation, hackers had infiltrated DISA’s systems starting on February 9, 2024, and maintained access for over two months before being detected. The breach primarily affected individuals whose current or former employers used DISA’s screening services.
Data Exposed
The compromised information includes sensitive personal data such as:
- Full names
- Social Security numbers
- Driver’s license numbers and other government ID information
- Financial account information (including credit card numbers)
- Other personal data elements
Given DISA’s role in conducting background checks and drug testing, the company typically handles a wide range of personal information, potentially including employment and education history, criminal records, and health-related data from drug and alcohol testing.
Notification and Response
DISA notified affected individuals in February 2025, almost 10 months after discovering the breach. The company has stated it conducted a “detailed and time-intensive” review of the files stolen to identify affected individuals.
As part of its response, DISA is offering impacted individuals:
- 12 months of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services through Experian
- Recommendations to place fraud alerts and security freezes on financial accounts
While DISA has not officially confirmed the type of cyberattack, there are indications that the company may have paid a ransom to prevent the stolen data from being publicly released. DISA claims it is unaware of any actual misuse of the compromised information and that the data has not been found on the dark web.
Risk to Affected Individuals
The extensive nature of the personal information exposed creates significant risks for those affected:
- Identity Theft: The combination of Social Security numbers, government IDs, and personal information provides ample material for identity theft.
- Financial Fraud: Exposure of financial account information could lead to unauthorized transactions or account takeovers.
- Targeted Phishing: Compromised personal information could be used to craft convincing phishing attempts targeting affected individuals.
- Long-term Vulnerability: Some compromised information, such as Social Security numbers, cannot be easily changed, creating a persistent risk of fraud.
How CinchOps Can Help
In light of incidents like the DISA data breach, organizations need robust cybersecurity measures to prevent similar vulnerabilities. CinchOps offers comprehensive security solutions that can help:
- Proactive Network Monitoring: Detect unauthorized access early, not months after initial breach
- Rapid Incident Response: Quickly identify and contain threats before extensive data exfiltration occurs
- Security Assessments: Identify and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited
- Employee Security Training: Build a strong security culture to prevent social engineering attacks
- Data Protection Consulting: Implement proper data handling, storage, and access controls
Don’t wait until your organization faces a similar crisis. Contact CinchOps today to strengthen your security posture and protect your sensitive data from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
