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The major cybersecurity incidents of 2024, marked by relentless cyberwarfare and sophisticated techniques, indicate that attackers get smarter every day.
In this roundup, we explore some of the biggest cybersecurity incidents in 2024. We highlight high-profile targets and billion-dollar losses, as well as the major insights and lessons learned.
Stay informed to protect against tomorrow’s threats. The next cyberattack could be just a click away.
Key Takeaways
- Nation-state actors like Chinese, Russian, and Iranian hackers dominated the 2024 cyberattacks, targeting critical infrastructure and sensitive data.
- The CrowdStrike software update failure caused a $5.4 billion loss, highlighting the risks of poorly tested system updates.
- Indonesia’s ransomware attack disrupted public services, underscoring the importance of backups and crisis response plans.
- Breaches of sensitive data, including payroll records and healthcare details, exposed weaknesses in supply chain and employee training.
- Cyberwarfare escalated, with attacks targeting military, nuclear, and telecom systems for espionage and disruption.
- Phishing remains a leading attack vector, with 41% of incidents initiated by human error or exploitation.
- Stronger encryption, real-time monitoring, and regular audits are essential lessons from 2024 to combat future threats.
Top 7 Cybersecurity Incidents of 2024
These 7 incidents were picked from a long list of 2024 cybersecurity incidents based on their impact, high-profile targets, unique attack methods, and global importance.
To give a clearer picture, we included a mix of attackers, industries, and results, listing them from most recent to oldest.
| Date | Incident | Bad Actor | Impact/Result | Potential Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2024 | Chinese hackers breach US telecom providers | Chinese hackers (Salt Typhoon) | Accessed telecom networks and sensitive data, including wiretapping systems | Still under assessment |
| October 2024 | Russian hackers target Ukrainian draft-age men | Russian hackers (UNC5812) | Phishing attack disrupted recruitment and stole personal data | Undisclosed |
| July 2024 | CrowdStrike software update causes global IT outage | CrowdStrike (faulty update) | Faulty update caused widespread IT disruptions in major industries | $5.4 billion in losses |
| June 2024 | Indonesia’s national data center hit by ransomware | Unknown hackers | Ransomware disrupted 282 public services; critical data lost despite decryption key | National crisis and data loss |
| May 2024 | Chinese hackers breach the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense | Chinese hackers | Breach exposed payroll data of 270,000 military personnel via contractor systems | Raised security concerns |
| March 2024 | Iranian hackers compromise Israeli nuclear facility network | Iranian hackers | Leaked documents from a nuclear facility; no operational systems breached | Risk of future cyberattacks |
| February 2024 | Data breach affects 33 million French citizens | Unknown hackers | Exposed personal data of 33 million citizens through health payment processors | One of France’s largest recent cyberattacks |
Major Cybersecurity Incidents in 2024
Here’s a breakdown of the details for each of these 2024 cybersecurity incidents.
1. Chinese Hackers Breach US Telecom Providers
- Date: November 2024
- Actors involved: Chinese hackers (Salt Typhoon)
Impact & Result
In November 2024, a group of Chinese hackers called Salt Typhoon breached the networks of at least eight US telecom providers and several providers from other countries.
They gained access to sensitive call data, court-authorized wiretapping systems, and private communications of prominent figures, including Donald Trump and JD Vance.
This was one of the biggest cybersecurity incidents of 2024 and raised serious concerns about cyber warfare. Security teams are still working to remove the hackers from affected networks.
2. Russian Hackers Target Ukrainian Draft-Age Men
- Date: October 2024
- Actors involved: Russian hackers (UNC5812)
Impact & Result
In October 2024, Russian hackers (known as UNC5812) carried out a phishing campaign aimed at Ukrainian men of draft age. They used malicious apps and Telegram channels to spread info-stealing malware disguised as tools for locating and sharing the positions of military recruiters.
Victims were tricked into disabling Google Play Protect and granting permissions to the apps, allowing the hackers to steal credentials, monitor locations, and record audio. The hackers also shared videos of alleged misconduct at recruitment centers, which were later reposted by Russian government channels.
Their goal was to disrupt military recruitment efforts by stealing sensitive information. This cyberattack is a key example of ongoing cyber warfare and represents one of the key recent cybersecurity events.
3. CrowdStrike Software Update Failure Causes Global IT Outage
- Date: July 2024
- Actors involved: CrowdStrike (faulty software update)
Impact & Result
A faulty software update by CrowdStrike caused a global IT outage in July 2024, affecting 8.5 million Windows devices worldwide. The update led to system crashes, known as the blue screen of death (BSOD), disrupting key industries.
Airlines canceled over 10,000 flights, hospitals postponed surgeries, public transit systems stopped working, and financial services were delayed.
The economic damage was estimated at $5.4 billion, making it one of the most costly recent cybersecurity incidents in 2024.
4. Indonesia’s National Data Center Hit by Ransomware
- Date: June 2024
- Actors involved: Unknown hackers
Impact & Result
In June 2024, Indonesia’s Temporary National Data Center in Surabaya was hit by a ransomware attack using the Brain Cipher malware. The attack disrupted 282 public services, including immigration services at airports, student registrations, and other essential systems. With no proper data backups in place, critical information was lost.
Hackers demanded a $8 million ransom, but the government refused to pay. Eventually, the hackers released the decryption key for free.
However, the attack caused a national crisis, with widespread criticism of the government’s handling of the situation. Public pressure led to the resignation of senior officials.
5. Chinese Hackers Breach The United Kingdom Ministry of Defense
- Date: May 2024
- Actors involved: Chinese hackers.
Impact & Result
In May 2024, Chinese hackers used a third-party contractor, Shared Services Connected Ltd (SSCL), to access sensitive data from the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense (MoD).
The attack exposed payroll records for about 270,000 current and former military personnel, including their home addresses. The breach went undetected for months, raising concerns about SSCL’s slow response and the government’s lack of oversight.
This was a serious security breach and a key example of cybersecurity news related to nation-state hackers.
6. Iranian Hackers Compromise Israeli Nuclear Facility Network
- Date: March 2024
- Actors involved: Iranian hackers.
Impact & Result
In March 2024, Iranian hackers attacked the IT network of Israel’s Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center, claiming to have stolen and leaked thousands of documents. The data included emails, PDFs, and vendor details, released as a protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Despite their claims, the hackers did not access the facility’s operational systems, which are protected by multiple safety measures.
Although the leaked documents were not highly sensitive, they could still be used for future cyberattacks, like phishing or social engineering. This attack is part of the ongoing cyber warfare between Iran and Israel, with Iranian hackers increasing their activities during the Gaza conflict.
7. Data Breach Affects 33 Million French Citizens
- Date: February 2024
- Actors involved: Unknown hackers.
Impact & Result
In February 2024, a huge data breach affected two payment processors, Viamedis and Almerys, exposing the personal data of 33 million French citizens – almost half the population.
Hackers stole sensitive details such as social security numbers, marital status, and dates of birth, making it one of the biggest recent data breaches in France’s history. Luckily, banking information and medical records were not accessed.
The attack on Viamedis began with a phishing scam that tricked an employee into giving access. The breach at Almerys happened through a security flaw in a portal used by health professionals.
This incident highlights the ongoing risks in the healthcare industry and grabbed international attention.
How to Prevent Major Cybersecurity Incidents
Preventing major cybersecurity incidents involves using strong security measures and following best practices. Here are some effective steps to protect against cyberattacks:
- Strengthen security systems: Install firewalls, antivirus software, and use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to block unauthorized access. Keep all systems and software updated to fix vulnerabilities quickly.
- Conduct regular security checks: Perform security audits to find and fix weak points in your systems. Check third-party systems to ensure they follow your security requirements.
- Educate employees: Provide cybersecurity training to help employees spot phishing emails and handle sensitive data carefully. Encourage staff to use strong passwords and follow security guidelines.
- Protect sensitive data: Use encryption to secure important data both when stored and during transfers. Create regular data backups to recover information quickly after an attack.
- Prepare for incidents: Develop an incident response plan to react quickly to attacks and limit damage. Test your plan regularly to improve how your team responds to threats.
The Bottom Line
The recent cybersecurity incidents of 2024 highlight the urgent need to strengthen defenses against evolving threats.
Major breaches and global IT disruptions have dominated cyberattack news, emphasizing the importance of better security measures.
Stay informed, stay prepared, and don’t become the next headline in the world of cyber warfare.
