First American’s December Data Breach Impacts 44,000: A Shocking Revelation

​The second-largest title insurance company in the United States, First American Financial Corporation, recently disclosed that a cyberattack in December resulted in a breach affecting 44,000 individuals. Established in 1889, this California-based company provides financial and settlement services to real estate professionals, home buyers, and sellers. With over 21,000 employees, it reported total revenue of $6 billion last year.

Following the cyberattack, First American was forced to take some of its systems offline to contain the damage. It wasn’t until five months later that they disclosed the extent of the breach in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The investigation found that the attackers gained access to some of its systems and managed to access sensitive data.

First American has concluded its investigation and determined that personal information belonging to approximately 44,000 individuals may have been accessed without authorization. The company plans to notify those potentially affected and offer credit monitoring and identity protection services at no cost to them.

Another breach not too long ago

Just one month before this latest attack, First American had settled a 2019 hack and agreed to pay a $1 million penalty to New York State for violating its cybersecurity regulations. The 2019 breach exposed personal and financial data, which the company stores in its proprietary EaglePro application.

Another title insurance provider in the US, Fidelity National Financial, was also hit by a “cybersecurity incident” in November. Similar to First American, Fidelity National Financial had to take down some of its systems to contain the attack, causing varying levels of disruption to its business operations. In January, the company confirmed in an SEC filing that the attackers stole data from roughly 1.3 million customers using a type of malware that is not self-propagating.

Protect yourself and your business

These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures for businesses and individuals alike. Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your sensitive information and secure your systems. We at IT Services are here to help you stay informed and safeguard your digital assets.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us, and keep coming back for the latest news, tips, and insights on cybersecurity. Together, we can build a more secure digital landscape.