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PBI Data Breach: What & How It Happened?

PBI Data Breach: What & How It Happened?

Twingate Team

Jun 14, 2024

In May 2023, Pension Benefit Information (PBI) experienced a data breach due to a vulnerability in their software used for encrypting and transferring files securely. An unauthorized third party exploited this vulnerability, potentially compromising the personal information of millions of people. PBI took immediate action to secure their systems and investigate the incident.

How many accounts were compromised?

The data breach impacted over 40 million people.

What data was leaked?

The data exposed in the breach included Personal Benefits Information (PBI) and personal information of retirees, spouses, and beneficiaries of the Central States Pension Fund.

How was PBI hacked?

The PBI data breach occurred due to a vulnerability in the software used for encrypting and transferring files securely. An unauthorized third party exploited this vulnerability, potentially compromising the personal information of retirees, spouses, and beneficiaries of the Central States Pension Fund. Specific details about the infiltration techniques, back door entry points, or malware discovered remain unclear.

PBI's solution

In response to the data breach, PBI implemented several enhanced security measures to protect sensitive data and prevent future incidents. These measures included implementing multi-factor authentication, conducting regular security audits, enhancing encryption protocols, implementing intrusion detection systems, and improving employee training on cybersecurity best practices.

PBI also took action to address the breach by notifying affected individuals, offering complimentary credit monitoring and identity restoration services, and cooperating with law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. It can be inferred that PBI's systems were compromised by unauthorized access or intrusion.

How do I know if I was affected?

PBI notified affected customers about the breach. If you are a retiree, spouse, or beneficiary of the Central States Pension Fund and haven't received a notification, you may visit Have I Been Pwned to check your credentials.

What should affected users do?

In general, affected users should:

  • Change Your Passwords: Immediately update your passwords for all 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 your 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 service provider.

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

Where can I go to learn more?

If you want to find more information on the PBI 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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PBI Data Breach: What & How It Happened?

PBI Data Breach: What & How It Happened?

Twingate Team

Jun 14, 2024

In May 2023, Pension Benefit Information (PBI) experienced a data breach due to a vulnerability in their software used for encrypting and transferring files securely. An unauthorized third party exploited this vulnerability, potentially compromising the personal information of millions of people. PBI took immediate action to secure their systems and investigate the incident.

How many accounts were compromised?

The data breach impacted over 40 million people.

What data was leaked?

The data exposed in the breach included Personal Benefits Information (PBI) and personal information of retirees, spouses, and beneficiaries of the Central States Pension Fund.

How was PBI hacked?

The PBI data breach occurred due to a vulnerability in the software used for encrypting and transferring files securely. An unauthorized third party exploited this vulnerability, potentially compromising the personal information of retirees, spouses, and beneficiaries of the Central States Pension Fund. Specific details about the infiltration techniques, back door entry points, or malware discovered remain unclear.

PBI's solution

In response to the data breach, PBI implemented several enhanced security measures to protect sensitive data and prevent future incidents. These measures included implementing multi-factor authentication, conducting regular security audits, enhancing encryption protocols, implementing intrusion detection systems, and improving employee training on cybersecurity best practices.

PBI also took action to address the breach by notifying affected individuals, offering complimentary credit monitoring and identity restoration services, and cooperating with law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. It can be inferred that PBI's systems were compromised by unauthorized access or intrusion.

How do I know if I was affected?

PBI notified affected customers about the breach. If you are a retiree, spouse, or beneficiary of the Central States Pension Fund and haven't received a notification, you may visit Have I Been Pwned to check your credentials.

What should affected users do?

In general, affected users should:

  • Change Your Passwords: Immediately update your passwords for all 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 your 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 service provider.

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

Where can I go to learn more?

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

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

PBI Data Breach: What & How It Happened?

Twingate Team

Jun 14, 2024

In May 2023, Pension Benefit Information (PBI) experienced a data breach due to a vulnerability in their software used for encrypting and transferring files securely. An unauthorized third party exploited this vulnerability, potentially compromising the personal information of millions of people. PBI took immediate action to secure their systems and investigate the incident.

How many accounts were compromised?

The data breach impacted over 40 million people.

What data was leaked?

The data exposed in the breach included Personal Benefits Information (PBI) and personal information of retirees, spouses, and beneficiaries of the Central States Pension Fund.

How was PBI hacked?

The PBI data breach occurred due to a vulnerability in the software used for encrypting and transferring files securely. An unauthorized third party exploited this vulnerability, potentially compromising the personal information of retirees, spouses, and beneficiaries of the Central States Pension Fund. Specific details about the infiltration techniques, back door entry points, or malware discovered remain unclear.

PBI's solution

In response to the data breach, PBI implemented several enhanced security measures to protect sensitive data and prevent future incidents. These measures included implementing multi-factor authentication, conducting regular security audits, enhancing encryption protocols, implementing intrusion detection systems, and improving employee training on cybersecurity best practices.

PBI also took action to address the breach by notifying affected individuals, offering complimentary credit monitoring and identity restoration services, and cooperating with law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. It can be inferred that PBI's systems were compromised by unauthorized access or intrusion.

How do I know if I was affected?

PBI notified affected customers about the breach. If you are a retiree, spouse, or beneficiary of the Central States Pension Fund and haven't received a notification, you may visit Have I Been Pwned to check your credentials.

What should affected users do?

In general, affected users should:

  • Change Your Passwords: Immediately update your passwords for all 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 your 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 service provider.

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

Where can I go to learn more?

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