The number of data breach victims dramatically increased in Q3 2021 due to a series of data exposures during the quarter, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC).

The ITRC released its US data breach findings for the third quarter of 2021 and found that the number of data breaches publicly-reported decreased 9% in Q3 2021 (446 breaches) in comparison to Q2 2021 (491 breaches). 

However, the number of data breaches through September 30 has exceeded the total number of events in full-year 2020 by 17% - 1291 breaches in 2021 compared to 1108 breaches in 2020.

The all-time high of 1529 breaches was in 2017, but with a rise of phishing and ransomare this year, it is predicted that 2021 could exceed that figure. 

“It’s also interesting to note that the 1,111 data breaches from cyberattacks so far this year exceeds the total number of data compromises from all causes in 2020,” said Eva Velasquez, President and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. 

U.S. Senate Committee Hearing – Oct. 6, 2021

The ITRC will testify before the U.S Senate Commitee on Commerce, Science & Transportation today to present the findings from its Q3 Data Breach Analysis. 

 

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