Ethical Hacking News
A retail giant has announced that a data breach affecting 2.2 million people has compromised sensitive information across its U.S. systems, citing the ransomware-as-a-service operation known as INC Ransom.
Ahold Delhaize has announced a data breach affecting 2.2 million individuals, compromising sensitive information across its U.S. systems. The breach, perpetrated by INC Ransom ransomware-as-a-service operation, occurred in November 2024 and included personal info such as name, contact details, date of birth, and financial account info. Ahold Delhaize is cooperating with law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts to investigate the incident and identify the perpetrators behind the attack. The company has established a dedicated support line for affected individuals and recommends taking steps to protect personal data from similar incidents in the future.
Retail giant Ahold Delhaize, one of the world's largest food retail chains, has recently announced that a data breach affecting 2.2 million individuals has compromised sensitive information across its U.S. systems. The breach, which occurred in November 2024, is believed to have been perpetrated by the ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation known as INC Ransom.
The news was revealed in a Thursday filing with Maine's Attorney General, which disclosed the incident and provided an update on the mitigating actions taken by Ahold Delhaize. According to the company, the attackers gained access to its internal U.S. business systems on November 6, 2024, after which they stole data from approximately 2,242,521 individuals.
The stolen files are believed to include personal information such as name, contact information (e.g., postal and email address, telephone number), date of birth, government-issued identification numbers (e.g., Social Security, passport, driver's license numbers), financial account information (e.g., bank account number), health information (e.g., workers' compensation information and medical information contained in employment records), and employment-related information.
While Ahold Delhaize has stated that the stolen items vary for each affected individual, the company acknowledged that the breach may have also compromised customer data. In a statement issued earlier this year, the retailer said that certain e-commerce operations and pharmacies were also impacted by the incident.
Incident Response
Ahold Delhaize has been working to respond to the breach and mitigate its effects on customers. The company has stated that it is cooperating with law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts to investigate the incident and identify the perpetrators behind the attack.
In an effort to protect affected individuals, Ahold Delhaize has also established a dedicated support line for those who may have been impacted by the breach. Customers can reach out to this hotline for assistance with concerns related to their personal or financial information.
Security Measures
Ahold Delhaize has emphasized its commitment to protecting customer data and ensuring the security of its systems. The company has stated that it is taking steps to improve its cybersecurity posture, including investing in new technologies and enhancing its incident response capabilities.
The retailer has also advised customers on how to protect themselves from similar incidents in the future. Ahold Delhaize recommends that individuals take steps such as monitoring their accounts for suspicious activity, using strong passwords, and being cautious when clicking on links or providing personal information online.
Cybersecurity Industry Insights
Ahold Delhaize's data breach serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by ransomware attacks to organizations across various industries. The company's experience highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures, including regular software updates, employee training, and incident response planning.
Incident Response teams must be equipped to respond rapidly and effectively in the face of cyber threats. This includes having processes in place for identifying and containing breaches, as well as coordinating with law enforcement agencies to bring perpetrators to justice.
Conclusion
Ahold Delhaize's data breach is a sobering reminder of the risks faced by organizations when it comes to cybersecurity. As companies continue to rely on technology to drive business success, they must also prioritize protecting sensitive information from cyber threats.
In this article, we have provided an overview of the Ahold Delhaize data breach and explored the implications for customers and the broader cybersecurity industry. By understanding the steps taken by organizations like Ahold Delhaize to respond to breaches and improve their security posture, individuals can better protect themselves against similar incidents in the future.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Ahold-Delhaize-Data-Breach-22-Million-Individuals-Affected-by-Ransomware-Attack-ehn.shtml
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/retail-giant-ahold-delhaize-says-data-breach-affects-22-million-people/
Published: Fri Jun 27 04:43:32 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
