In early 2024, DISA Global Solutions, Inc., a U.S.-based company that provides background screening and drug/alcohol testing services, experienced a major data breach that exposed sensitive personal information belonging to millions of individuals.
According to the company’s breach notification filings:
- 🔹 Unauthorized access began: February 9, 2024. An unidentified third party gained access to a portion of DISA’s network and data.
- 🔹 Breach discovered: April 22, 2024 – roughly 2.5 months later.
- 🔹 Public notification sent: February 2025, nearly a year after the attack was first discovered.
The delay between discovery and notification raised legal and regulatory concerns, as most state and federal laws require timely reporting to affected individuals.
How Many People Were Affected?
DISA confirmed that the breach affected over 3.3 million individuals (approximately 3,332,750 people).
The company indicated that the compromised data may have included personal information such as:
- Names
- Social Security numbers
- Driver’s license or other government ID numbers
- Financial account information
- Other personal identifiers collected during employment screenings
However, DISA stated it could not definitively conclude the exact types of data accessed for all impacted records.
The Fallout: Risks and Repercussions
A breach of this scale carries serious implications for affected individuals and the broader ecosystem of companies that rely on DISA’s services:
Identity Theft & Fraud Risk
When attackers access Social Security numbers, financial details, and government IDs, criminals can commit identity theft, open unauthorized credit accounts, or file fraudulent tax returns. Even if no misuse has been reported yet, the potential remains high.
Legal and Regulatory Scrutiny
Multiple class action lawsuits were filed on behalf of impacted individuals, alleging that DISA failed to implement adequate security measures and delayed notification beyond reasonable standards.
Credit Monitoring & Response
DISA offered affected individuals 12 months of free credit monitoring and identity restoration services through Experian, and notified law enforcement and regulatory authorities as part of its response.
How Could This Breach Have Been Prevented? Lessons for All Organizations
While cyber threats evolve constantly, several key practices can significantly reduce the risk of breaches like the one at DISA:
1. Stronger Detection and Monitoring Tools
The breach went undetected for over two months — suggesting gaps in intrusion detection and real-time monitoring. Implementing advanced security monitoring (SIEM systems, endpoint detection) can shorten the detection window and limit exposure.
2. Least Privilege & Access Controls
Applying strict access control — where users and systems only have the level of access they need — limits what attackers can reach if they compromise credentials.
3. Encryption and Data Segmentation
Sensitive data like Social Security numbers and financial accounts should be encrypted both in transit and at rest. Data segmentation ensures that even if attackers break in, they can’t easily traverse systems.
4. Faster Notification & Transparency
Beyond legal requirements, swift notification empowers individuals to act quickly — for example, placing fraud alerts on their credit files or changing compromised credentials.
What You Can Do If Your Data Was Exposed
If you were notified as part of the DISA breach:
- Enroll in the credit monitoring services provided.
- Place fraud alerts or credit freezes with major credit bureaus.
- Monitor your bank and financial statements for suspicious activity.
- Consider identity protection services or alerts.
Conclusion
The DISA Global Solutions data breach illustrates how even companies focused on security-related services can fall victim to significant cyber incidents. With more than 3.3 million records potentially compromised and legal action unfolding, the case underscores the importance of proactive cybersecurity, rapid detection, and transparent communication when breaches occur.