Massive Data Breach Exposes Sensitive Information of Millions
DISA Global Solutions, a company specializing in employee screening services, recently disclosed a major data breach that has affected over 3.3 million individuals. This breach has raised serious concerns about the handling of sensitive personal information and has put millions at risk of identity theft and fraud.
A Shocking Revelation
The breach began on February 9, 2024, when an unauthorized party gained access to part of DISA’s network. Shockingly, the intrusion went undetected for more than two months until the company discovered the “cyber incident” on April 22, 2024. Following the breach, DISA launched an internal investigation with the help of third-party forensic experts to assess the damage.
Questions Unanswered
It is still unclear how the attack happened, as DISA has not confirmed whether phishing, malware, or another method was used. However, the fact that hackers had access for months without detection points to serious gaps in the company’s monitoring systems. Additionally, the public was not notified until nearly a year after the breach, raising concerns about DISA’s cybersecurity measures and response time.
The Scope of Stolen Data
The hackers accessed a trove of sensitive personal information, although DISA has admitted that it cannot definitively confirm the full scope of the stolen data. According to filings with the attorneys general of Maine and Massachusetts, the compromised information included Social Security numbers, financial account details (such as credit card numbers), driver’s licenses, and other government-issued identification documents.
Given DISA’s role in employee screening, it is likely that the breach exposed data collected from background checks and drug tests, potentially including employment histories, criminal records, and even health-related information. The incident affected a staggering 3,332,750 people nationwide, with more than 360,000 Massachusetts residents and 15,198 Maine residents among those affected.
Protect Yourself
If you have undergone a background check or drug test through an employer or prospective employer, your data might be among the millions exposed in this breach. Here are five practical steps you can take to protect yourself:
- Monitor your financial accounts: Regularly check your bank statements, credit card transactions, and credit reports for suspicious activity. Consider setting up alerts for any unusual activity.
- Enroll in credit monitoring: Take advantage of the 12 months of free credit monitoring and identity restoration services offered by DISA through Experian. Enroll before the June 30 deadline to keep tabs on your credit and detect potential misuse early.
- Place a fraud alert or credit freeze: Contact one of the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) to place a fraud alert on your file or consider a credit freeze to restrict access to your credit report entirely.
- Be wary of phishing attempts and install strong antivirus: Expect an uptick in targeted scams. Avoid clicking links or sharing information in unsolicited emails, texts, or calls claiming to be from DISA or related entities. Install strong antivirus software on all your devices to protect against malware and phishing attempts.
- Invest in data removal services: Taking proactive steps to protect your personal information is crucial. Consider using a data removal service to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites over a longer period of time.
The Fallout
The DISA Global Solutions data breach is not just a mistake; it is a complete failure. A company entrusted with handling sensitive data for millions, including Fortune 500 clients, allowed hackers to lurk in its systems for more than two months. Moreover, it took 10 months to notify the public. Now, 3.3 million people are left dealing with the aftermath, while DISA offers a token year of credit monitoring. The true cost is the potential for years of identity theft and financial damage.
Do you think companies that collect and sell data should be held accountable for breaches like this? Let us know by contacting us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
To stay updated on the latest tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to the free CyberGuy Report Newsletter at Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.
Follow Kurt on his social channels:
– YouTube
Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:
– How to protect your online privacy
– Tips for safe online shopping
– How to spot and avoid phishing scams
– Best practices for securing your smart home
New from Kurt:
– The top 10 cybersecurity threats of 2025
– How to secure your digital assets and protect against ransomware attacks
© 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
