2020 saw fewer data breaches but more records exposed
The number of publicly reported breach events decreased by 48 percent in 2020. However, more than 37 billion records were compromised, an increase of 141 percent.
A report released today by Risk Based Security reveals that this is by far the most records exposed in a single year since the company began reporting in 2005. 2020 has challenged the security-minded community quite unlike any other, and the number of records exposed highlights how unique the year has been, says Inga Goddijn, executive vice president at Risk Based Security. We do not believe fewer breaches are happening. Disruptions at certain governmental sources, delayed reporting, and declining news coverage have all contributed to fewer breaches coming to light in 2020, but that is only a part of the story. More complex and damaging attacks have also contributed to lengthy and complex investigations.