Markovits, Stock & DeMarco, LLC is actively pursuing an investigation into the Houser LLP data breach. This inquiry aims to support individuals impacted by the security incident involving personal information trusted to Houser LLP. Situated in Irvine, CA, Houser LLP offers specialized legal counsel to various commercial entities and financial organizations.
All details regarding the Houser LLP data breach
In a disclosure made to the office of Maine’s attorney general on Wednesday, it was revealed that during the incident related to the Houser LLP data breach, certain documents were not only encrypted but also illicitly extracted from the company’s network.
Houser LLP reported the compromise of sensitive data, which encompassed names alongside potentially exposed information such as Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, individual tax identification numbers, financial account details, and medical information. Furthermore, the firm took the additional step of notifying the attorney general of California about the breach.
The breach was traced back to unauthorized activities on Houser’s network occurring from May 7 to May 9, as later verified by an external third-party company engaged by the firm. The details of the regulatory submission reveal that Houser LLP initiated contact with the cyber attackers shortly after the breach was discovered, although the specifics of these interactions remain undisclosed. For further clarity on the matter, Recorded Future News has initiated contact with Houser LLP.
By June 2023, an unforeseen development occurred when the unauthorized individual or group behind the breach notified Houser LLP of their decision to erase all copies of the stolen data, committing not to disseminate any of the obtained files. The review undertaken by the third-party service provider concluded on January 18 of the current year, according to the documentation filed.
“Upon receipt of this file, Houser began notifying its clients of the investigation and findings and offered to mail letters to potentially impacted individuals on behalf of these clients,” the company stated.
Houser LLP, with its expansive network of approximately twelve offices across the country, aims to provide comprehensive legal services within all principal financial hubs. The firm boasts an array of specializations including litigation management, commercial and real estate law, class action defenses, and adherence to regulatory compliance. Esteemed for their collaborations, Houser’s partners have represented major institutions like Citibank, Deutsche Bank, and HSBC, underscoring their prominence in the legal sector.
In the wake of the Houser LLP data breach, the firm has proactively communicated with individuals potentially impacted, furnishing them with detailed insights into the cybersecurity measures implemented subsequent to the breach.
“These additional safeguards include, but are not limited to, deployment of RocketCyber, an endpoint detection and response tool. We also implemented multi-factor authentication for Outlook 365, Net Extender VPN tunnel and remote desktop connection,” Houser said. “We also added ransomware detection software, implemented the use of phishing simulation software and conducted vulnerability assessment and penetration testing.”
In a decisive response to the Houser LLP data breach, the firm has extended an offer of credit monitoring services to all affected individuals, ensuring an added layer of security for their financial integrity. Additionally, Houser LLP has taken the responsible step of informing law enforcement agencies about the breach, demonstrating their commitment to a thorough and collaborative resolution of the incident.
What information has been leaked during the breach?
The Houser LLP data breach exposed a variety of sensitive and confidential information, underscoring the seriousness of the event. The compromised data includes critical personal identifiers and financial details such as:
- Full Name
- Social Security Number
- Tax Identification Number
- Driver’s License Number
- Medical Information
- Financial Account Information
Cybercrimes never stop
The year 2024 has emerged as a troubling time with a significant uptick in data breaches affecting a wide range of industries. Amidst this surge, the Houser LLP data breach has captured significant attention, yet it is merely a part of a larger pattern of security challenges.
Major players across diverse sectors, such as Cencora, Prudential Financial, Bank of America, HPE, loanDepot, Trello, Subway, Football Australia, HealthEC, and Fidelity National Financial have also faced data security incidents. This widespread issue underscores the pervasive nature of data breaches in this digital age, affecting entities from finance and healthcare to sports and food services.
Featured image credit: FlyD/Unsplash
