Data breaches, where sensitive personal or confidential information is accessed without authorization, have become an unfortunate reality in the digital age. As more and more data is stored and transmitted online, data breaches are becoming increasingly common. But when did they first start occurring?
The earliest known major data breach took place in 1974, when the US Department of Agriculture’s Computer Center was hacked. However, it was not until the mid-1980s and 1990s that data breaches really started to take off, driven by the rise of computer networks and the internet.
1980s – Early Hacking Exploits
The 1980s saw some of the earliest cybercrimes and hacking exploits, and with them, the first data breaches. While networks were much smaller and less connected than today, hackers were still able to access and steal data by exploiting vulnerabilities.
One of the most notable data breaches of the decade occurred in 1984, when hackers were able to access sensitive information from Los Alamos National Laboratory, a nuclear weapons research facility. The hackers, later linked to the Soviet KGB, stole passwords and accessed several private networks containing classified documents related to nuclear warhead designs.
Other early hacks in the ’80s targeted university networks and large companies like TRW Inc. These breaches highlighted the need for better network security measures to prevent unauthorized data access.
Major 1980s Data Breaches
- 1984 – Los Alamos National Laboratory breach
- 1986 – TRW Inc. credit history database hacked
- 1988 – Cornell University network hacked, student records compromised
- 1989 – NASA computers hacked, sensitive research data stolen
1990s – The World Wide Web and Growth of Data Breaches
The 1990s saw the beginnings of the World Wide Web, which revolutionized how data was stored, shared, and accessed. This massive expansion of connected networks and data availability enabled more sophisticated cyber attacks and large-scale data breaches.
One significant case was the 1994 theft of over 160,000 credit card numbers from CD Universe, an early online music retailer. This demonstrated the risks of storing financial data online before secure protocols like SSL encryption became commonplace.
Other major data breaches in the ’90s included hacks of AOL, the NSA, and the FBI. These high-profile cases highlighted the need for better cybersecurity measures to protect consumer privacy and sensitive government data.
Major 1990s Data Breaches
- 1994 – CD Universe hacked, 160,000 credit cards stolen
- 1995 – AOL customer data breached
- 1996 – National Security Agency hacked
- 1997 – FBI computer files accessed by hackers
- 1999 – Medical information for over 500,000 TRICARE patients compromised
2000-2010 – Megabytes to Terabytes
The early 2000s saw data breaches grow in size and scope. As storage expanded from megabytes to gigabytes to terabytes, more data was being collected by companies. And with broadband internet enabling faster access speeds, increasing amounts of data were moving online often without adequate security.
Major breaches occurred across industries like finance, retail, government, healthcare, and education. In 2005, data broker ChoicePoint accidentally exposed sensitive information on over 163,000 consumers. Other high-profile hacks targeted companies like TJX, Heartland Payment Systems, and Sony’s PlayStation Network.
Governments also dealt with large breaches during this period. In 2006, a theft of US Department of Veterans Affairs data put personal information for over 26 million veterans at risk. And in 2009, a USB drive containing Pentagon missile defense data was compromised.
Major 2000-2010 Data Breaches
- 2005 – ChoicePoint incident exposes 163,000 consumer records
- 2007 – TJX hacked, over 45 million credit cards compromised
- 2008 – Heartland Payment Systems breach impacts 100 million cards
- 2011 – Sony PlayStation Network hacked, 77 million accounts affected
- 2006 – US Department of Veterans Affairs data theft, 26.5 million impacted
2010-2020 – The Era of Mega Breaches
In the 2010s, data breaches grew even larger in scale. With billions of people interacting online – often with weak security measures – massive thefts of personal and financial information became common.
Several record-setting hacks occurred during this period. In 2013, over 1 billion user accounts were compromised in a breach of Yahoo’s network. And in 2017, credit reporting agency Equifax was hacked, leading to the exposure of sensitive data on 147 million people.
Other large data breaches impacted organizations like eBay, LinkedIn, Myspace, Target and Home Depot. Billions of login credentials, credit card numbers, emails, and personal records were stolen during the decade.
Major 2010-2020 Data Breaches
- 2013 – Yahoo breach impacts all 3 billion accounts
- 2014 – eBay hacked, 145 million users affected
- 2016 – 412 million FriendFinder Network accounts breached
- 2016 – 164 million LinkedIn accounts compromised
- 2017 – Equifax breach impacts 147 million consumers
- 2019 – 773 million unique emails and passwords exposed
2020s and Beyond – Cloud, IoT and AI
In the 2020s, emerging technologies are creating new data security challenges. As more data moves to the cloud, internet-connected devices multiply, and AI systems analyze large datasets, there are more avenues of access for hackers.
Recent major breaches have involved companies like Facebook, Robinhood, Twilio and Canva. However, data security experts predict that threats will become even more sophisticated. Ransomware, supply chain hacks, deep fakes and AI-enhanced hacking are some concerns for the future.
Governments are also enacting stricter data protection regulations like GDPR and CCPA to push companies to improve security measures and safeguard consumer data.
Major 2020s Data Breaches
- 2021 – 533 million Facebook user records posted online
- 2021 – LinkedIn data on 700 million users sold online
- 2022 – 37 million Robinhood user accounts compromised
- 2022 – Twilio breach impacts 114 companies
- 2022 – Canva data breach impacts 137 million users
The Costs of Data Breaches Continue to Rise
Alongside the growing frequency and size of data breaches, the costs associated with these cyberattacks have steadily increased. A 2022 IBM report found that the average total cost of a data breach is now $4.35 million globally, the highest in the 17 years since IBM started tracking.
This rising expense is attributed to factors like more stringent compliance fines, data breach lawsuits, and the resources required to investigate attacks and notify impacted users. For larger breaches impacting millions of people, overall costs can exceed $1 billion.
As cybercriminals get more advanced and persistent in their methods, and the sensitivity of data continues to grow, experts expect breach costs will keep rising. Organizations will need to prioritize security measures and incident response plans to limit financial and reputational damages.
Conclusions
Data breaches have been occurring since at least the 1980s, but their frequency and magnitude has grown exponentially as the digital economy expanded over the last 40 years. Key milestones include:
- 1980s – Early hacking exploits target universities, businesses and government agencies
- 1990s – The World Wide Web enables larger-scale breaches as online data grows
- 2000s – Megabyte breaches turn into gigabyte and terabyte breaches
- 2010s – Billions of users online results in regular mega breaches
- 2020s – Cloud, IoT and AI usher in new data vulnerability challenges
While cyber defenses and regulations have attempted to keep pace, data breaches continue to impose massive costs on compromised organizations. As technology advances, companies will need to remain vigilant and prioritize robust security measures to protect user data. The history of data breaches highlights why this is more critical than ever.
