In a recent cybersecurity incident, over 28,000 individuals have been impacted by a data breach at Pepsi Bottling Ventures, an independent bottling company. The breach, which was discovered on January 10, 2023, occurred between December 23, 2022, and January 19, 2023, and resulted in unauthorized access to the personal, financial, and health information of the company’s employees.
Details of the Breach
The breach was first discovered on January 10, 2023, and investigations revealed that it had taken place over the course of nearly a month, from December 23, 2022, to January 19, 2023. The unauthorized party gained access to certain systems containing personal information of the company’s employees and contractors. Pepsi Bottling Ventures started informing the impacted individuals about the breach on February 10, 2023, but did not initially reveal the number of individuals affected.
Scope of the Breach
In a recent public announcement, Pepsi Bottling Ventures informed the Maine Attorney General’s Office that the attackers had access to the personal information of more than 28,000 individuals. The compromised data includes names, addresses, email addresses, financial account information, ID numbers, driver’s license numbers, Social Security numbers, digital signatures, medical history details, and health insurance information. The stolen information belongs to current and former employees and to contractors.
Response and Recommendations
In response to the breach, Pepsi Bottling Ventures has taken steps to strengthen the security of its network. This includes a company-wide password reset to secure all employee and partner accounts within its network. The company has urged the impacted individuals to promptly change their usernames, passwords, and security question answers for any accounts or account information they maintain with Pepsi Bottling Ventures.
Despite the breach, the company says it is not aware of the compromised information being misused. However, it is worth noting that such data is often sold or shared on underground cybercrime portals and then used in phishing and other types of attacks.
Conclusion
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures for businesses of all sizes. As cyber threats continue to evolve, companies must remain vigilant and proactive in protecting their systems and data. It is also crucial for businesses to have a comprehensive incident response plan in place to quickly and effectively address any potential breaches, minimizing the impact on affected individuals and the company’s operations.