Hi, have you heard? Avnet, the large electronics company, recently faced a data breach. Let’s review what happened, what was taken, and what you need to know.
The good news? Most of the compromised data cannot be read without having access to the Avnet sales tool, which hackers did not acquire.
• On September 26, Avnet identified the breach and began changing passwords and fortifying systems.
• They also notified local authorities and will reach out to any impacted customers or suppliers.
• The breach occurred on a single system in the region of EMEA.
• There was no effect on global operations.
• No sensitive information was stolen, so you are not in any jeopardy.
Regardless, it is advisable to monitor your accounts for unusual activity, and change passwords if you use the same one on different systems.
Even large organizations like Avnet can fall prey to a breach, so pay attention and stay involved with your security online.
What Happened?
Avnet stated that hackers got controls of a database for an internal sales tool in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, Africa).The good news? Most of the compromised data cannot be read without having access to the Avnet sales tool, which hackers did not acquire.
What Did They Take?
- A total of 1.3TB of compressed data, or 7-12TB of uncompressed data was stolen.
- They took things like historical sales records, information on potential sales opportunities, and contact information (like emails) for customers.
- Avnet said no sensitive information was taken, meaning things like banking details and ID information were safe.
How Did It Happen?
• Hackers gained access through a database located on an external service.• On September 26, Avnet identified the breach and began changing passwords and fortifying systems.
• They also notified local authorities and will reach out to any impacted customers or suppliers.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you are a customer or supplier of Avnet:• The breach occurred on a single system in the region of EMEA.
• There was no effect on global operations.
• No sensitive information was stolen, so you are not in any jeopardy.
Regardless, it is advisable to monitor your accounts for unusual activity, and change passwords if you use the same one on different systems.
Final Thoughts
While this incident did not expose sensitive information and the case was brought to conclusion, it highlights once again the need for proper security measures in place.Even large organizations like Avnet can fall prey to a breach, so pay attention and stay involved with your security online.
