Hertz data breach exposes customer information
In today’s digital age, most companies rely on various vendors to manage different aspects of their business operations. From customer management to finances, payroll, and social media, these vendors play a crucial role in ensuring smooth business operations. However, the sharing of customer data with these vendors poses a significant cybersecurity risk, as not all vendors prioritize cybersecurity measures. Hackers are increasingly targeting these weaker links in the digital supply chain, resulting in data breaches that expose large amounts of customer information without directly affecting a company’s main systems. This trend is a growing concern for both businesses and their customers.
A recent example of such a data breach involves Hertz, a leading car rental company, which confirmed that customer data was compromised due to a cyberattack on one of its software vendors. The breach occurred between October and December 2024 and was attributed to a cyberattack on Cleo, a third-party vendor that provides software services to Hertz. While the breach did not directly impact Hertz’s internal systems, sensitive customer information, including names, dates of birth, contact details, driver’s license numbers, Social Security numbers, and financial information, was exposed.
The breach, believed to be the work of the Clop ransomware gang, exploited a zero-day vulnerability in Cleo’s enterprise file transfer software, which is widely used by large organizations to securely transmit sensitive business data. The cyberattack targeted over 60 companies, including Hertz, resulting in the theft of customer data. Despite initially stating that there was no evidence of a breach, Hertz later confirmed that unauthorized third parties had accessed their data through Cleo’s platform.
For customers affected by the breach, the exposure of personal data poses serious risks, including identity theft, fraudulent account openings, and targeted phishing attempts. Individuals who rented from Hertz, Dollar, or Thrifty between October and December 2024 should remain vigilant and take steps to protect themselves from potential harm.
To safeguard against the risks posed by the Hertz data breach, customers can take several proactive measures. These include watching out for phishing scams, using strong antivirus software, scrubbing personal data from the internet, setting up fraud alerts, monitoring credit reports, changing passwords, using a password manager, and being wary of social engineering attacks. By following these recommendations, customers can mitigate the potential impact of the data breach and protect themselves from cyber threats.
In conclusion, the Hertz data breach serves as a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity in today’s interconnected business landscape. Companies must prioritize the security of customer data shared with third-party vendors and implement robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard against cyber threats. Likewise, customers must remain vigilant and take proactive steps to protect their personal information in the wake of data breaches. By working together, businesses and customers can mitigate the risks associated with cybersecurity breaches and ensure the safety of sensitive data.
