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TIAA Cref Data Breach: What & How It Happened?

TIAA Cref Data Breach: What & How It Happened?

Twingate Team

Jun 20, 2024

In May 2023, TIAA, a teachers' retirement fund, experienced a data breach involving a file transfer software platform. This breach led to a class-action lawsuit against TIAA, alleging that the company did not use adequate security measures to protect sensitive information. The cyberattack, carried out by a criminal hacking group, impacted various organizations and government agencies across the US and Europe.

How many accounts were compromised?

The breach impacted data related to approximately 2.4 million individuals.

What data was leaked?

The data exposed in the breach included clients' names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and genders.

How was TIAA Cref hacked?

The breach occurred when the Clop criminal hacking group targeted the file transfer software platform MOVEit, compromising sensitive client data. The specific methods used by the hackers remain unclear, as do the details of any subsequent investigation or remediation efforts.

TIAA Cref's solution

In response to the hacking incident, the specific enhanced security measures taken by TIAA remain unclear. However, TIAA's security center webpage highlights their commitment to data protection, mentioning practices such as a Security Operations Center, stringent security patching, data loss prevention controls, and robust supplier risk management. Additionally, they employ 24x7 security monitoring, industry threat intelligence, and multifactor authentication for account access. Details regarding the removal of malware and backdoors, involvement of cybersecurity experts, and customer notification are not available.

How do I know if I was affected?

It is not clear whether TIAA Cref reached out to affected users following the data breach. If you are a TIAA Cref client and have not received a notification, you may visit HaveIBeenPwned to check if your credentials were affected.

What should affected users do?

In general, affected users should:

  • Change Your Passwords: Immediately update your passwords for any accounts that may have been affected. Make sure the new passwords are strong and unique, not previously used on any other platform.

  • Reset Passwords for Other Accounts: If you've used the same or similar passwords for other online accounts, reset those as well. This is crucial as attackers often try using stolen passwords on multiple sites.

  • Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on any affected accounts. Consider enabling this additional security feature on all other important online accounts to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

  • Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your accounts for any suspicious activity and report it immediately to the respective platform or financial institution.

For more specific help and instructions related to TIAA Cref's data breach, please contact TIAA Cref's support directly.

Where can I go to learn more?

If you want to find more information on the TIAA Cref data breach, check out the following news articles:

Rapidly implement a modern Zero Trust network that is more secure and maintainable than VPNs.

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TIAA Cref Data Breach: What & How It Happened?

TIAA Cref Data Breach: What & How It Happened?

Twingate Team

Jun 20, 2024

In May 2023, TIAA, a teachers' retirement fund, experienced a data breach involving a file transfer software platform. This breach led to a class-action lawsuit against TIAA, alleging that the company did not use adequate security measures to protect sensitive information. The cyberattack, carried out by a criminal hacking group, impacted various organizations and government agencies across the US and Europe.

How many accounts were compromised?

The breach impacted data related to approximately 2.4 million individuals.

What data was leaked?

The data exposed in the breach included clients' names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and genders.

How was TIAA Cref hacked?

The breach occurred when the Clop criminal hacking group targeted the file transfer software platform MOVEit, compromising sensitive client data. The specific methods used by the hackers remain unclear, as do the details of any subsequent investigation or remediation efforts.

TIAA Cref's solution

In response to the hacking incident, the specific enhanced security measures taken by TIAA remain unclear. However, TIAA's security center webpage highlights their commitment to data protection, mentioning practices such as a Security Operations Center, stringent security patching, data loss prevention controls, and robust supplier risk management. Additionally, they employ 24x7 security monitoring, industry threat intelligence, and multifactor authentication for account access. Details regarding the removal of malware and backdoors, involvement of cybersecurity experts, and customer notification are not available.

How do I know if I was affected?

It is not clear whether TIAA Cref reached out to affected users following the data breach. If you are a TIAA Cref client and have not received a notification, you may visit HaveIBeenPwned to check if your credentials were affected.

What should affected users do?

In general, affected users should:

  • Change Your Passwords: Immediately update your passwords for any accounts that may have been affected. Make sure the new passwords are strong and unique, not previously used on any other platform.

  • Reset Passwords for Other Accounts: If you've used the same or similar passwords for other online accounts, reset those as well. This is crucial as attackers often try using stolen passwords on multiple sites.

  • Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on any affected accounts. Consider enabling this additional security feature on all other important online accounts to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

  • Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your accounts for any suspicious activity and report it immediately to the respective platform or financial institution.

For more specific help and instructions related to TIAA Cref's data breach, please contact TIAA Cref's support directly.

Where can I go to learn more?

If you want to find more information on the TIAA Cref data breach, check out the following news articles:

Rapidly implement a modern Zero Trust network that is more secure and maintainable than VPNs.

TIAA Cref Data Breach: What & How It Happened?

Twingate Team

Jun 20, 2024

In May 2023, TIAA, a teachers' retirement fund, experienced a data breach involving a file transfer software platform. This breach led to a class-action lawsuit against TIAA, alleging that the company did not use adequate security measures to protect sensitive information. The cyberattack, carried out by a criminal hacking group, impacted various organizations and government agencies across the US and Europe.

How many accounts were compromised?

The breach impacted data related to approximately 2.4 million individuals.

What data was leaked?

The data exposed in the breach included clients' names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and genders.

How was TIAA Cref hacked?

The breach occurred when the Clop criminal hacking group targeted the file transfer software platform MOVEit, compromising sensitive client data. The specific methods used by the hackers remain unclear, as do the details of any subsequent investigation or remediation efforts.

TIAA Cref's solution

In response to the hacking incident, the specific enhanced security measures taken by TIAA remain unclear. However, TIAA's security center webpage highlights their commitment to data protection, mentioning practices such as a Security Operations Center, stringent security patching, data loss prevention controls, and robust supplier risk management. Additionally, they employ 24x7 security monitoring, industry threat intelligence, and multifactor authentication for account access. Details regarding the removal of malware and backdoors, involvement of cybersecurity experts, and customer notification are not available.

How do I know if I was affected?

It is not clear whether TIAA Cref reached out to affected users following the data breach. If you are a TIAA Cref client and have not received a notification, you may visit HaveIBeenPwned to check if your credentials were affected.

What should affected users do?

In general, affected users should:

  • Change Your Passwords: Immediately update your passwords for any accounts that may have been affected. Make sure the new passwords are strong and unique, not previously used on any other platform.

  • Reset Passwords for Other Accounts: If you've used the same or similar passwords for other online accounts, reset those as well. This is crucial as attackers often try using stolen passwords on multiple sites.

  • Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on any affected accounts. Consider enabling this additional security feature on all other important online accounts to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

  • Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your accounts for any suspicious activity and report it immediately to the respective platform or financial institution.

For more specific help and instructions related to TIAA Cref's data breach, please contact TIAA Cref's support directly.

Where can I go to learn more?

If you want to find more information on the TIAA Cref data breach, check out the following news articles: